Since the end of 2007, Rivesaltes high-school of agriculture has been involved in a survey aimed at offering perspectives of diversification to the viticulturists in the north of the department who are suffering very severely from the viticulture sector crisis.
Many arguments – technical, economical, environmental – have been leading the survey towards the production of fragrant plants, and most specially wild rosemary from the Corbières.
This cultivar is remarkably adapted to North Roussillon terroir, it is easy to produce, requires little investment to start the crop, and should provide a fair income on a short term basis (a market is under development right now). Last and not least, it can be produced organically.
Rivesaltes high-school of agriculture is about to start an experiment in order to verify the technical and economical relevance of that production. The experiment will consist in cultivating a one hectare plot of rosemary, organically, following closely all costs and incomes in order to demonstrate the economic viability of the crop.
If it proves to be viable, the school will then be able to serve as an example and a source of advice for the viticulturists who feel tempted by the diversification.
Additionally, this experiment will allow comparing the chemical composition and the typicity of the wild Corbières rosemary to that of a common selected cultivar : Pyramidalis.
These two cultivars will be simultaneously produced on the plot, and after following exactly the same cultivation methods for both crops, we will be able to compare the composition of the essential oils extracted from each crop.
The purpose of course is to demonstrate the fragrance typicity of the wild Corbières rosemary, in order to valorize it.
Today, more than 5000 wild rosemary clippings are being cultivated in the glasshouse inside the school walls. Pyramidalis plants have been ordered (from another school in Romans), they are to be delivered in April.
The final crop on the experimental plot is scheduled at the end of spring.
