| Once called the « Lousy » Champagne, this province is today one of the most dynamic agricultural region of France. Before a fertilizer adapted to its chalky soils was found, the land in Champagne which was very dry despite the rains didn’t have much value. Heavy mechanisation and the systematic use of fertilisers gave to these lands a high agricultural value. Growing cereal crops, « Chalky » Champagne has become the second wheat and barley producer in the nation. It’s the realm of very large farms and wealthy agro-businessmen. This region shows the evolution of the value given to the land from yesterday’s heritage to today’s profitable asset. Nowadays, a French farmer feeds 66 people compared to less than 6 in 1946. Quantity is not a problem anymore but France is the largest consumer of fertiliser in Europe and the fourth largest in the world. Chemical fertilisers pollute the environment and can harm human health.
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