Speaker
Description
- Introduction
PRESENCE project (imPRovE SErvices of boviNe livestoCk in tErritories) is based on the observation that cattle farming (milk and meat), a key sector for Pays-de-la-Loire region’s economy (western France), is currently experiencing a decline, particularly in areas where the density of farms is lower (Ben Arfa et al. 2009). In addition, in the wake of milk quota suppression and reduction in subsidies, dynamics have changed and upstream to downstream relationships have strengthened.
In this context, major changes are now taking place even within densely farmed areas. Difficulties in passing farms on and land abandonment have been noted in some local areas despite rather favourable overall conditions. These structural and spatial changes are at the heart of the challenges of maintaining agricultural production and employment in the territories, quality of products, but also preservation of landscape and environmental resources.
However, only a few actors share a systemic vision that can result in a collective and individual strategic decision-making process, facing sustainability and productivity challenges of livestock farming.
The objective of PRESENCE project is therefore to shed light on the dynamics of cattle farming in the Pays de Loire region at several scales (regional, territorial i.e. group of municipalities, and farm level). This involves among other tasks to create space and time for dialogue and innovation that can generate an alignment of stakeholders' strategies in a shared vision, to step from geographical proximity to organised proximity (Torre, 2002).
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Materials, methods
In order to establish a lasting arena for multi-actor discussion about cattle farming perspectives, we have chosen to implement a specific method of consultation in each of PRESENCE’s case study fields, i.e. in the Loir valley river (south of Sarthe department), in La-Roche-sur-Yon city urban area (in Vendee department), and in the Coevrons intermunicipal area (in Mayenne department).
This method is called “territorial dialogue”, which consists of putting together different actors concerned about the same issue, with different perspectives, who will not debate about it, but will try to understand each other. This method has been developed by local practitioners since 2000s’ (Barret et al, 2014), and have proven to be very effective in mutual understanding and conflict resolution.
We have found this method to be very well adapted to the case of cattle farming problematics, engaging different actors among this sector. Therefore, we have listed a set of 25-30 people in Loir valley region who are concerned by the evolution of cattle farming. -
Results
They have been interviewed individually first, in order to collect their perception about the issue, namely the decline of cattle farming in their territory, and capture their needs regarding the situation: what is important to them in this farming activity? What is valuable to them, for this territory? Through this concertation method, we aim at accessing people’s deep-seated needs, such as acknowledgement, security, freedom, belonging, etc. (Fisher et al, 2011).
Following the series of individual interviews, a concertation meeting takes place, where everyone expresses their perception and needs in front of the others, and the ultimate goal of this meeting is that each of them can understand the position of the others.
In this process, PRESENCE researchers have taken three different roles: one is to guide the concertation process with a neutral posture, another is to bring scientific input regarding cattle farming evolution and the last is to observe the stakeholders at play. -
Discussion
This poster will present this unusual consultation method used in environmental and agricultural issues and show how the interaction between local stakeholders with researchers can bring very relevant outputs for policy makers, in the specific context of cattle farming. -
References
Barret, P. (2014). Le dialogue territorial pour répondre aux enjeux écologiques des territoires ruraux. In Revue Pour n°223, pp. 193-198.
Ben Arfa, N., Rodriguez C., et Daniel K. (2009). « Dynamiques spatiales de la production agricole en France », Revue d’Économie Régionale & Urbaine, vol. , no. 4, pp. 807-834.
Fisher, R.; Ury, W.; Patton, B. (2011) [1981]. Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In (3rd ed.). New York: Penguin Books.
Torre, A. et Beuret, J.-E., (2012), Proximités territoriales. Paris, Economica, 105 p.
| Keywords | cattle farming; valorisation; local concertation; dialogue |
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