Innovation and sustainability in the heart of Languedoc

Near Carcassonne, two estates in Baudrigue and Raissac-sur-Lampy have become a living example of how technology and regenerative agriculture go hand in hand to shape a new productive, social, and environmental model. Here, Nectar & Co—a project led by Alexis Muñoz—is reviving the olive grove as a historical crop of the region, combining agroecological techniques, extensive grazing, sustainable tourism, and a smart irrigation system powered by Spherag technology. 

Regenerative agriculture at Baudrigue and Raissac-sur-Lampy

The Baudrigue estate covers 150 hectares, one third of which is native forest. On the remaining 100 hectares, young olive trees of four varieties (Arbequina, Arroniz, Picual, and I-15P) grow surrounded by 7 km of biodiversity hedges, rotational sheep grazing, over 300 bird nest boxes, and ponds placed near each hydrant. These ponds not only serve as natural water filters, but also support the presence of amphibians, which act as natural allies in pest control. In Raissac-sur-Lampy, 70,000 olive trees have been planted across 72 hectares, following the same philosophy. 

This entire agroecological network is a reminder that what’s being cultivated here is not just olive oil, but also biodiversity, landscape, and future. 

Far from being an intensive monoculture, Nectar & Co’s model focuses on diversification, decentralization, and respect for the land. The estate is one of many small farms that form the mosaic of the project. It’s a model designed to revitalize rural areas without creating tensions, with goals as ambitious as generating 50 jobs, storing 30,000 tons of CO₂, or planting 1,000 hectares of regenerative olive groves. 

It’s not just about producing olive oil. It’s about doing it in a way that brings life back to the soil, restores wildlife, strengthens local communities, and allows visitors to understand and experience a different way of being in the world. The estate will also feature a leisure area with tastings, accommodations, and guided tours—bringing tourism closer to olive culture, much like a winery does, but through the lens of oleiculture. 

The challenge: complex terrain, dispersed sectors, and high sustainability standards

With 25 irrigation sectors, 5 pumping stations, and complex terrain, the technical challenge of the installation was significant. Moreover, efficient water use is essential in a regenerative project like this one. That’s why SPHERAG technology, installed by the Soverdi team in just two days, was chosen. 

The estate now operates with 28 Atlas devices (Atlas 2 and Atlas + models), which manage 31 valves and monitor 5 water meters and 26 pressure sensors. The installation was done without underground cabling and with a minimal support structure, ensuring low environmental impact and easier maintenance and adjustment. 

Implemented features include: 

• Remote, modular irrigation control
• Pressure monitoring
• Advanced and sequential programming
• Satellite visualization of the estate
• Alert system
• Technical support from both Soverdi and Spherag

Moreover, the solar-powered devices align perfectly with the project’s sustainability goals, reducing energy consumption and facilitating maintenance in hard-to-reach areas.

The Baudrigue farm is also equipped with a weather station featuring Metos sensors, a technology fully integrated with the SPHERAG platform. This enables the collection of real-time climate data, making it easier to make informed decisions and adapt agricultural tasks to the actual conditions in the field.

Technology and commitment: shared benefits

For Nectar & Co, using a solution like Spherag means optimizing every drop of water, reducing travel needs, and improving control over a large and diverse farm. For the installer, the ease and speed of setup make Spherag a strategic ally in projects that combine high tech with environmental sensitivity. 

As Alexis Muñoz puts it, this project is not just a farming operation—it’s a way to reconnect with the land. And in that journey, technology is not the goal, but a tool that allows us to do more, better, and with less impact.