Paris might best be associated with romance, adventure and culture, but the fertile region around the City of Lights houses one of the nation’s most thriving agricultural hubs. There’s a rich history of cultivation in the region spread along the River Seine, and today old traditions meet with modern technology to continue this heritage and cement the role of Île-de-France in France’s agricultural landscape. In the Île-de-France Region, as in many parts of France, arable farming remains a top priority and in this case is concentrated in the northern and western reaches of the country, which form the Paris Basin. Over half of the nation's arable land is dedicated to cereal crops, contributing significantly to the agricultural output. Wheat and corn (maize) take the lead, with other cereals like barley and oats gradually diminishing in importance. Cereals are a staple of French agriculture, particularly in regions where natural conditions and proximity to markets favor their cultivation. While forage crops have seen a decline in acreage since the early 1980s, oilseed production has gained traction, now occupying close to one-tenth of agricultural land. In 2018, agriculture claimed a substantial 48% of Île-de-France's territory, which amounted to a total of 569,000 hectares dedicated to cultivation. Within this fertile terrain, the principal crops – grains – occupied 66% of the land, followed by beets at 7%, and the remainder for pastures for grazing. In 2014, the sector experienced a major shift as 9495 hectares were devoted to organic agriculture – a clear declaration of the growing commitment to sustainable practices. However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges faced by the industry. But that’s only one step forward. The Île-de-France agricultural workforce experienced a major decrease between 2000 and 2015 (a total of 33%), which resulted in just 8460 individuals employed in this sector in 2015.