Freins et leviers à la diversification des cultures: étude au niveau des exploitations agricoles et des filières

Abstract

Diversification is often considered as an efficient lever for improving the long-term sustainability of farming systems. Indeed, diversification helps to reduce the use of inputs bought in from outside the farm (pesticides, fertilisers, water) and to limit damages to the environment linked to their excessive use. Despite its contribution to the production systems in terms of ecological and economical sustainability (risk-spreading) and its integration in various incentive plans and regulatory frameworks, diversification of crops is growing very slowly. French ministries in charge of agriculture and environment have ordered to INRA-the French Institute of agronomic research-a study aiming to identify the most difficult issues to diversification of cultures in France, and different public action levers that can be implemented to promote it. The working assumption is that these levers are linked to the actual operating of the agro-industrial system, and the ability to encourage the development of supply chains enhancing diversification crops. The study has looked at a number of representative cases (representing the diversity of chains and of their various organisations), that determined the coordination and commitment of the economic actors involved in the development of diversification crops. © 2013 J.M. Meynard et al., published by EDP Sciences.