Supporting the small market gardening sector in France: Comparison of two policy options

Abstract

France's Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan introduces a coupled aid program to support small-scale market gardening farms. This study, using data from a discrete choice experiment and national-level simulations, compares the projected outcomes of this new program—which has strict eligibility requirements—with those of an alternative scheme inspired by the CAP's Small Farmers Scheme (SFS), where farms self-select to receive lump-sum payments. Results indicate that the SFS+ (including environmental and employment conditions) may effectively promote agro-ecological transition in the market gardening sector and could serve as a valuable recommendation for revisions to France's strategic plan and those of other Member States.