Review of Hectarea: fractional investment in agricultural land

IN SUMMARY

Key figures - Hectarea

Should you invest with Hectarea?

Hectarea facilitates access to sustainable agricultural land investment from as little as €500, with a stable yield (4-7%) and a strong social/environmental impact. Suitable for long-term investors, this illiquid investment requires a 10-year vision and a tolerance for the ups and downs of the agricultural market.

Advantages and disadvantages

Why did we write this guide?

Investing in agricultural land is increasingly appealing to savers looking for stability, diversification and sustainable impact. Hectarea has positioned itself in this niche by democratizing access to agricultural land, traditionally reserved for institutional investors or farmers. This guide aims to provide you with a clear, neutral and structured view of the Hectarea offer: how it works, returns, access facilities, risks and constraints. Thanks to the public information on the site and in the FAQ, we hope to help you to :

1. Understand how to invest your savings in agricultural bonds.

2. Assess the strengths (yields, impact, accessibility) and limitations (liquidity, long horizon).

3. Compare this investment with other options (SCPI, equities, life insurance).

We hope to provide a useful tool for anyone considering supporting farmers while seeking a stable financial return.

NB: For the sake of transparency, we would like to specify that we are Harmony, one of these new real estate companies. Harmony enables you to buy shares in properties intended for short-term rental. We believe that all competition is healthy, and that the growth of this market will enable everyone to find their place in it. In this context, providing a factual analysis of other real estate companies through the prism of our sector expertise helps both consumers or investors and the companies that provide them with a service. That said, we are not in the business of providing personalized investment advice or recommendations.

THE BASICS

What is Hectarea and how does it work?

Hectarea is an investment platform dedicated to agricultural land. It enables individuals to buy bonds backed by plots of land (ares) leased from farmers committed to sustainable practices. The money raised is used to finance the purchase of land leased under a farming contract: investors receive a monthly income, then recover the capital and any capital gains at maturity (10 years). Each project is legally structured as an independent property company, ensuring that the bonds are an isolated, debt-free commitment.

Who can invest?

Any adult with an account on the platform and validating their identity (KYC) can subscribe to bonds starting at €500. Individuals can also invest via a company. No income or profile criteria are specified, beyond bond investment regulations.

How do they find properties?

Hectarea relies on a network of agricultural experts to rigorously select plots for lease. Criteria include agronomic potential, rental profitability, ecological commitment (organic, agro-ecology...) and the viability of the farming project. The teams evaluate each plot via their network to identify sustainable and geographically relevant land. The platform also features an interactive map to visualize local projects. This manual selection guarantees strong quality control, focused on responsible practices and a circular economy.

What experience do they have?

Founded in 2022 by agronomists and descendants of farmers, Hectarea raised €500,000 to develop its platform and launch its first projects. The team combines skills in agriculture, finance and tech, with a vision of ecological transition. By 2023, nearly 10,000 investors have joined the real estate company, and several projects are already active, with an investor space and monthly webinars hosted by farmers and experts.

EASE OF USE

How easy is it to invest with Hectarea?

The platform is easy to use: register via e-mail or social networks, validate your identity, run an online simulation and invest from €500. The simulator lets you visualize yield, surface area and impact. Once you've made your commitment, you can access an investor's area where you can follow news about the plot and communicate with the farmer. Rental income is paid monthly into the Hectarea account. However, early resale is not guaranteed and is subject to conditions (supply/demand on the secondary market).

What can you invest in?

You invest in bonds backed by acres of farmland (olives, vines, market gardening, etc.). Each project corresponds to a dedicated property, equity-financed by investors, and leased to a farmer. Returns come from the rent (closed) paid by the farmer, and a possible capital gain when the land is resold after ~10 years. This model combines regular income with the potential for added value, while limiting debt (cash payment).

Property and location

Hectarea offers investments in agricultural plots in France, chosen for their agronomic potential and their commitment to sustainability (organic, agroecology). You can select land according to your geographical preference via an interactive map. The projects vary: fruit trees, vines, market gardening, olive groves... Each project has its own typology, surface area and cultivation method, but all meet the same standards of quality and sustainability. Farmers are selected according to their project (installation, ecological transition, sustainable production). The diversity of crops and regions enables us to build a varied portfolio, tailored to your investment strategy and convictions.

Minimum investment

The entry ticket starts at €500, enabling a wide audience to participate. This amount is accessible enough to diversify your savings while supporting sustainable agriculture, without requiring significant financial capacity.

‍Documentation and analysis

Each project is accompanied by a complete dossier: description of the land, planned crop, leasing contract, farmer profile, duration, yield simulations via a precise simulator (cautious, average, optimistic scenarios), maps and agronomic data. Investors can ask questions via the dedicated area. Webinars and a blog offer further explanations. All elements (risks, horizon) are presented transparently.

How to invest

1. Quick registration by e-mail or social networks.

2. KYC validation.

3. Project exploration (simulator, interactive map).

4. Select and subscribe to bonds (4 to 7% target).

5. Follow-up via investor area, news, farmer exchanges.

6. Receipt of monthly lease payments.

7. At maturity (~10 years), repayment of capital + share of capital gains. Early exchange possible according to offer/demand.

POTENTIAL RETURNS

Hectarea Returns - How much can you earn?

Hectarea proposes an annual return based on two sources: the rent paid by the farmer (4-7%) and a possible capital gain on resale (historical ~+4%/year over 10 years). The simulator details 3 scenarios: conservative (+1.5%), average (+3%), and optimistic (+5%). Although the yields are estimates, they are based on SAFER averages and actual land performances in France.

Annual rental yields

The rental return is called "fermage": paid monthly, it represents 4 to 7% of the annual investment. It is stable thanks to an agricultural lease with an existing farmer. Rents begin a few months after the acquisition is finalized, once the farmer has settled on the land.

Frequency of rent payments

Farm rents are paid monthly into your Hectarea account. To make withdrawals, simply enter your bank details (charges may apply beyond a certain number of withdrawals).

Expected capital gain

At the end of the 10-year term, the resale of the land can generate a capital gain, estimated at around +4%/year over the decade, in line with the historical dynamics of the French land market. This capital gain is added to the initial capital repaid.

Fees and how they make money

Here's a two-line summary of the fees applied by Hectarea: - At entry, a commission of 8% to 10% is charged on the amount invested, covering land selection, project study and structuring - At management and exit, Hectarea collects 8% to 12% of farm rents (fermages) and the same range on the capital gain on resale, with no annual fees on outstandings.

Why not invest elsewhere?

Compared to other investments, investing in agricultural land is an attractive alternative: SCPI real estate: yields around 4-5%, often more liquid but exposed to urban cycles. Life insurance: less risky but lower returns (2-3%). Equities/ETFs: volatile, higher potential returns but no tangible impact. Real estate crowdfunding: similar in structure, variable returns (~6-12%), but focused on buildings and often with a shorter time horizon.

Hectarea stands out for its bond format, sustainable impact and support for agriculture. However, the long time horizon (10 years) and limited liquidity make it a rather opportune investment for those who favor stability, sustainability and a direct link with agriculture.

What happens when you want to sell your Hectarea property shares?

Bonds can be resold before maturity via a secondary market that is currently being developed, depending on supply and demand. However, this market is not mature: liquidity is therefore not guaranteed, and early resale may be at a discount.

Holding period

The standard investment period is 10 years, except in the event of early resale of the plot. Bonds can, however, be traded on the secondary market, but in practice the horizon is long-term.

COMPARAISON

Compare Hectarea to other real estate platforms

We will shortly be publishing a comparative guide to the main fractional real estate investment platforms, including Harmony Homes, GoodCity, Fragments, Part d'Appart, and others, to better understand the differences in terms of fees, liquidity, target profitability and transparency.

THE FINAL VERDICT

Is Hectarea a good investment?

Hectarea offers an innovative and committed way to invest: put your money into farmland, support ecologically responsible farmers and benefit from a dual return (rent + capital gain). The investment is structured via bonds, guaranteeing contractual transparency: defined remuneration, known duration, and capital repaid at maturity. The social impact (installation assistance) and environmental impact (sustainable practices) add a strong civic dimension.

For long-term investors who are sensitive to agricultural issues and want a stable, responsible return, Hectarea is a relevant solution. This investment combines collective utility, reasonable financial performance and simple management. It is aimed at those who are willing to tie up their savings to support sustainable agriculture. However, if liquidity or rapid return on investment are priorities, other products (SCPI, urban crowdfunding, equities, life insurance) might be more suitable. All in all, Hectarea deserves a place in a well-diversified portfolio, as part of a responsible, impact-oriented allocation.