There are a few Australian farmers onto what seems to me a similar approach including farmer turn author Charles Massy who published "Call of the Reed Warbler".

In the early chapters of the book Charles explains his story of going to university for a science degree though coming back to the farm soon after when his father passes. He listened to the experts selling the products on what to do for years before deciding it was no longer working and decided on another approach.

I don't think we can blame the farmers directly though instead big agriculture and how they manipulate the farmers and lobby the government to sell more product.

That's exactly the mindset of Farmers here in Burgundy, France. We just had one of the dryest summers on record - we're still running a water deficit. Farmer's response: demand government subsidies!

I am not impressed by your disdain of the French people.

Looking at your comments, you seem so polarized about things (traders, for example), without even knowing how they work; it's sad...

Parent's comment is off-topic but let me get the facts straight: a worker in France having a 35h work week will typically get 5 weeks of paid time holiday, not 7-10 weeks.