FIGARO TOMORROW – Magalie Rosso markets turnkey urban farms based on a permaculture technique: aeroponics.
It was during the confinement that the idea of the “Ionaka Farms” germinated in Magalie’s head. After 10 years spent in a strategic consultancy company in sustainable development, the Toulousaine wanted to “bring the vegetable closer to the city dwellerby proposing the installation of farms… on the roofs of cities.
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A pilot farm in Toulouse
On May 20, Magalie finalized the installation of her first aeroponic farm on the roofs of the Marché D’Intérêt National de Toulouse (MIN). The principle of this permaculture technique? Plants grow in columns…without soil. Nutrient-carrying oxygen from the air combined with regular watering of the roots are the keys to this innovative technique. “ The plants grow 3 times faster and we save 90% of water compared to conventional agriculture. You also save a lot of space because the plants are superimposed. “Explains the Toulouse. The pilot farm in Toulouse has 50 columns of 2 meters each and 1700 plants of tomatoes, strawberries, melons and herbs grow there almost without any help. This farm, which operates in the heart of the city, first aims to supply the restaurants of the MIN. “ I supply the 5 restaurants of the MIN of Toulouse, which can pick up the production of the day on the roof: in ultra-short circuit therefore!»
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Turnkey vegetable gardens
But Magalie did not want to stop at her only urban farm in Toulouse. The challenge of the project was also to design and market turnkey farms. “These aeroponic farms are aimed at all those who have land and who seek to produce themselves, in an ultra-short circuit, healthy products without pesticides.Among these future clients, Magalie has two associations, a hotel and another MIN. “ I take care of the installation of the farm and then, the customer can benefit from a year-round service, or decide to maintain it himself.La Toulousaine also plans to install an aeroponic farm on the roof of a training center for disabled people. “ For people with a disability, it really is the ideal farm. I call him sloth’s vegetable garden because it requires no weeding and people in wheelchairs have enough space to turn around the columns.“The main obstacle to the sale of these”kit trussesremains the price, however. It is indeed necessary to count 1000 euros for the installation of an aeroponic column.
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For Magalie, the Covid period has made it possible to further democratize urban agriculture. “With supply problems, people’s view of urban crops has changed. There is a general awareness of the need to develop the short circuit within cities.The Toulousaine also explains that urban culture came down, a few years ago, to the famous “vegetable plotswhich continue to flourish in several French cities. “The vegetable plots create a real social bond but they do not ensure sustainable productivity. The objective of Ionaka Farms is not only to green the city, but also to produce in sufficient quantity to ensure the food self-sufficiency in vegetables of an establishment.»