Founded in 1981 by leaders of French agricultural organizations, Fert is supported by the grain organizations—and Unigrains in particular—for 40 years. Serving as a bridge between the French agricultural sector and farmers in developing and emerging countries, Fert facilitates cooperation based on shared interests.
French grain industry trade associations
Fert–Unigrains Partnership
Unigrains supports Fert’s work and enables it to operate sustainably and consistently. Unigrains and Fert share the same values and the same approach: respecting entrepreneurs and farmers who are free to make their own decisions and are accountable for them, and supporting them in their work.
+ 40
years of partnership
34 M€
financial support over 40 years
Unigrains Employee Engagement: Initiatives with a Positive Social Impact
- In 2023, the Works Council and several Unigrains employees contributed financially to the construction of improved stoves, helping to reduce firewood consumption for the kitchen at the CFAR des Savanes in Côte d’Ivoire
- In 2025, the Works Council and other employees contributed to the purchase of musical instruments for the Fekama agricultural middle schools in Madagascar, enabling 400 boarding students each year to develop their talents and organize community activities
Jean-François Isambert, Chairman of Fert, discusses Fert’s work and the support provided by Unigrains to mark Unigrains’ 60th anniversary (2023)
Eric Thirouin, Chairman of Unigrains, is taking part in Fifata’s 35th anniversary celebrations in Madagascar (2024)
“At the celebration of Fifata’s 35th anniversary, I was particularly pleased to meet several thousand Madagascan farmers and to witness their dynamism and their eagerness to share with one another. All these initiatives are bearing fruit; we must continue to support them!”
– Eric Thirouin, Chairman of Unigrains
Fert – Arvalis Partnership
Arvalis supports Fert’s work through skills-based sponsorship. The expertise and technical know-how of its engineers are made available to the farmers supported by Fert. Their involvement takes the form of consultancy assignments, training sessions and peer-to-peer exchanges, fostering a mutually enriching sharing of experiences.
+ 40
years of partnership
1
1 assignment per year
(on average)
Solène Garson Houllier, Potato Sector Coordinator, on assignment in Georgia
Delphine Bouttet, regional engineer for the Île-de-France region, on assignment in Kenya
Sharing knowledge and skills
Delphine Bouttet, a regional engineer at Arvalis, was approached by Fert to coordinate and lead a 10-day training course on agronomic fundamentals and agroecology in Madagascar, for technicians and agronomists from the six countries where Fert operates (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi and Morocco).
