Le Bocage is an organic fruit and vegetable farm in the Namur Condroz region that sells through short supply chains to feed the local population. Behind Le Bocage is François, who wishes to establish a pear orchard in Arbre.
Project supported by
Le Bocage, agroecological fruit farm
A trained bioengineer, François Wiaux has always been concerned about environmental challenges. After working in scientific research as part of a doctorate on the link between agricultural soils and climate change, and then in a sustainable development consulting firm, 2016 was a turning point: he became independent, venturing into market gardening and knowledge transfer.
The agroecological approach consists of integrating agricultural production into the natural ecosystem, meaning to collaborate with nature rather than exploit it; we even speak of an “agro-ecosystem.” This requires embracing biodiversity, not only to preserve it but also because it will play a role in regulating diseases and pests itself. Finally, in agroecology, we strive to stimulate soil life to ensure a form of self-fertility, as microorganisms play a major role in crop nutrition;
François’s objectives:
- Cultivating distinctive fruits of high taste and nutritional quality that are a pleasure to eat throughout the year (such as figs, table grapes, peaches, plums, and pears).
- Adhering to organic specifications, but also, and above all, to the principles of agroecology.
- To be economically profitable while remaining human-sized, with short-circuit & hyper-local marketing, in order to contribute to the region’s food resilience.
An orchard that harmonizes Humanity and Nature
Technically, it is a medium-stem orchard, with a greater density than a classic high-stem orchard. This orchard will be established on a stony-silty soil suitable for fruit tree cultivation.
Although seemingly common here, pear cultivation, for example, has become extremely rare in organic farming. François has therefore chosen specific planting densities, varieties, rootstock vigor, and cultivation techniques to avoid any chemical intervention and any use of products harmful to wildlife, flora, or human health.
We invite you to support this pear orchard project with an old, disease-resistant variety. In total, 40 fruit trees will be planted thanks to your support.
François chose to plant “Poire à Clément” pear trees. It is a very good early pear, not very susceptible to scab. The pears are of very good quality for fresh consumption; they are both sweet, very strongly fragrant with musky aromas. The flesh is melting and very fine.
This will be carried out on a cultivated plot located in Arbre, in autumn-winter 2023.
Watch the pear orchard video!
On November 23, 2023, we attended the planting. Digging the pits required a lot of effort from François and his team. Beneath the 30 centimeters of stony-silty soil, the stony load (schisto-psammitic) was indeed present.
The planting went well; the stakes and vole cages were installed. Now it’s up to the pear trees to take root on François’s land.
