Converting to organic farming and implementing conservation agriculture techniques in the plains of Limagne : an analysis of farmers' trajectory

Abstract

The change of western countries’ agricultural models is an increasingly needed endeavor. Alternatives to conventional farming practices exist, but only a few farmers have been able to bring about structural change in their farming system. Beyond the technical issue, studies have highlighted the numerous socio-economic barriers farmers may face when envisioning practices change. More precisely, farmers are nowadays at the crossroad of diverse obstacles, visions and interests, indicating that the transition of practices needs to be tackled at a collective level. The present study aims at understanding better how the role of stakeholders of different nature intervenes during the trajectory of farmers who have already engaged practices change. Around thirty interviews of farmers were carried out in the plains of Limagne to assess the territorial dynamics supporting these changes. The results of the study show that the stakeholders involved are slowly shifting in the support given to organic farming conversion while nearly none exist at territory-level when farmers implement conservation agriculture techniques. The local context of the Limagne plains, with the structural presence of Limagrain Company, let foresee long-term lock-ins in the dissemination of more environmental-friendly practices.