With more than one operator out of two joining an Agricultural Machinery Cooperative, the Cuma represent the largest network of farmers in France. As it celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2025, a symposium organized in mid-February at the Palais Bourbon presented the results of ten years of research on these cooperatives and their impact on territories and changing practices. “We are not only in the National Assembly for symbolic reasons, but because the collective subject deserves to enter into public debate,” declared Marine Boyer, president of the FNCuma, before more than 200 people. “Agriculture is currently going through a period of reshuffle and anger, where forms of cooperation are being reexamined. However, the effects produced by the Cuma go beyond them, now clarified by science.”
Effects on pesticides: Research has been conducted on the role of Cuma in reducing the use of inputs, due to exchanges between farmers and access to expensive but more effective equipment. “The link is not so obvious, with little research conducted on this subject,” notes Damien Rousselière, teacher-researcher at the Institute Agro Rennes-Angers. Nevertheless, “measurable and significant effects” have been observed in areas where Cuma are present, even among non-member farmers. Currently, 40% of the equipment fleet consists of tools favorable to these practices, compared to 10% in 2016, with an average investment of around 90,000 euros per cooperative.
Democratic arenas: Due to their governance and cooperative functioning, Cuma are also recognized as tools for sharing knowledge in the long term. “In the United States, arrangements around machinery have difficulty lasting over time, especially during farm transmissions, which is not the case with Cuma. The network also enables the transfer of knowledge to local units,” notes Simon Cornée, lecturer at the University of Rennes. According to him, Cuma are “democratic arenas” facilitating socio-technical exchanges among peers.
Challenges ahead: Despite all these benefits, Cuma remain relatively discreet and absent from public debates. “To coexist with people of diverse ideas, the focus is more on technical subjects. Cuma function thanks to the avoidance of politics,” explains Véronique Lucas, sociologist at Inrae. “This is why we talk about Cuma as a crucible of silent agroecology.” The network also faces several limitations, such as the lesser representation of minor productions of a given territory, the low feminization of the network, and the absence of courses on cooperative skills in agricultural education. According to the researcher, the renewal of generations poses a real challenge to Cuma, as new members are less familiar with them due to their diverse origin.
Creation of a collective mechanization tax credit: The Cuma symposium took place in the presence of deputies Julien Dive (LR), Pascal Lecamp (Modem), and Dominique Potier (PS). The three elected officials jointly supported the project of a collective mechanization tax credit in the 2026 budget law, promulgated on February 19. “Only 10% of agricultural equipment is shared today, while mechanization costs represent about 30% of farm expenses,” recalls Pascal Lecamp. “This tax credit is a first political signal, and an awareness that collective action improves the overall balance of a farm.” This scheme has a rate of 7.5%. Its amount cannot exceed 3000 euros per company per civil year. This provision was not well received by the FNEDT (agricultural work companies), which requested its removal. “Cuma contribute to social and environmental improvements resulting from the time spent by farmers in organization. The public authorities have long encouraged individual power, with the effects we see today. It seems normal to encourage collectivism today,” defends Véronique Lucas, sociologist at Inrae.
