Vegepolys Cluster

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Vegepolys Cluster

“The specialized plant” cluster in the Loire Valley focuses on genomics and the production of high value-added seeds, trees, flowers and aromatic plants.

Region/Cities

Pays de la Loire / Angers

Sector of activity

Seeds, horticulture, tree nurseries

Objectives

Position the cluster as a world reference in terms of creation and innovation in specialized crops for the food industry and the health and well-being industry by 2010
Position itself as a platform for innovation in plant varieties for specialized crops
Position itself as a center of expertise in seeds and plant health
Position itself as a center of expertise in specialized plant production for the health and well-being sectors
Position itself as a center for experimental and innovative horticulture and urban landscape
Two technological axes: innovation and creation and seed and plant health. Two issues: plants for health and well-being and urban landscape.

Advantages offered by the cluster

National and European leader in several sectors: vegetable seeds, ornamental gardening, fruit trees, mushrooms
Regional concentration that is unique in Europe in terms of production capacity and expertise, the extensive variety of vegetable production and the existence of a top level research and training cluster
4 000 companies, 25 000 jobs in industry and agriculture

Main partners

Companies

International companies, particularly in the seeds sector: Syngenta Seeds (NL), Enza Zaden (NL), Wortz (NL), Martin Bauer (Germany), etc.
Major French companies: Force Limagrain, Maîs Angevin, Vilmorin, Briant, Minier, Levasseur, etc.
A network of dynamic small and mid-sized businesses: Advanta France, Semences Nunhems, Vilmorin, Clause, etc.

Research

300 research scientists specialized in seeds and horticulture grouped into specialized centers: INRA, Vilmorin, Clause Tezier, Bejo, Enza Zaden France, Bertrand Frères, Graines Hodebourg, André Briant, Ernest Turc, Challet-Hérault Productions, Minier S.A., Florinov, Gaignard Fleurs R&D Centers.

Training

5 000 students in the fields of agriculture, plants and the environment, including 2 500 in the specialized plants sector (Valcampus, the leading specialized plant campus), ENITHP, ENSH.