It is at Mas de Sonnailler, in the heart of the Camargue, a sanctuary for black bulls, flamingos and rice, that Guy Clément was awarded the rank of chevalier of the Légion d’honneur on 12 September for his work on rice. During the ceremony attended by numerous players from the world of agriculture, Pierre Guillot, honorary president of the French rice growers’ association and the French Rice Centre, presented him with his medal.

A large delegation from the BIOS Department and from the AGAP joint research unit made the trip. “He has selected a good twenty or so rice varieties adapting perfectly to the Camargue and meeting the expectations of the supply chain” declared Axel Labeyrie.

Guy Clément, who was in charge of the rice varietal creation programme for Mediterranean France for 25 years, is now seconded to the French Rice Centre. His career, at IRAT then at CIRAD, has led him to Senegal, French Guiana and Ivory Coast. This rice breeder’s long and distinguished career has thus been rewarded.