ECOGEST

La gestion des milieux de haute valeur écologique : une diversification pour les exploitations agricoles.

Context

About fifty years ago, the countries proposed varied landscapes. The ancient practices agro-pastoral had permitted, with the passing of the centuries, the apparition and the development of a fauna and a flora of high biologic interest. However, the arrival of the mechanization, of a change in the agricultural politics (to assure the autonomy and the food security) implied important changes into the agricultural practice. Of this fact, the best lands have been valorized to the excess and the sectors to weak potentialities agronomic have been abandoned and underwent the process “climacique”. Therefore, a lot of the sites lost a big part of their biologic value. With the implementation of the network Natura 2000, the European Union has chosen an environmental politics that works for the rehabilitation and the conservation of the habitats of species of fauna and flora threatened. In this context, the agriculturists are key actors to fill this assignment of preservation. These actions can be achieved on their own surfaces or while actively participating in the management of the natural reserves. To achieve this assignment, the farmer must change the perception that he has of his own profession, he must modify his practices, and to choose more rustic races. Therefore, it is to the development of a real agricultural diversification, with the establishment of a new herd, help by other practices (mowing, clearing of brushwood), who lead the farmer to become an "administrator of the farming space recognized for the value of the biodiversity that he manage".

Objectives

The objective of the project is to put in evidence the conditions that permit to assure the development and the durability of this diversification that constitute the eco-pastoral management of the natural sites by the agriculture (extensive grazing, mowing, clearing of brushwood). In other words: how does such a diversification meet the three axes of the lasting development that the economy, the environment and the social are? To carry through this project, the study will take place in two stages: 1 / Characterization of the exploitations developing this type of diversification. This characterization will also permit to understand the incentives having driven the farmers to move toward this diversification as well as the disincentives that could limit their development. 2 / Assessment of the durability of the exploitations. The objective is to see the viability of the exploitations that has a part of their activities in the eco-pastoral management of the natural sites.

Description of tasks

1. Research of the farmers practicing this activity The starting point consists in the identification of the farmers having made the choice of this diversification. For that, we will contact the active organims in the domain (DGA, NATAGORA, CRNFB, natural reserves, administrators of sites…). 2. Characterization of the exploitations and the activities in the farm. This characterization, based on investigations, will give a global overview of the activities achieved within the exploitation. Then, the questionnaire will focus on the management of interesting environments. It will permit to put in evidence the incentives and the disincentives of this activity. 3. Durability of the exploitations types identified The objective is to put in evidence the viability of these exploitations. For this, two aspects will be taken mainly in consideration: 1 / to the economic level: a comparative analysis of the performances (operating charges, products, balance,…), of the cash flow and the income of work. 2 / to the social level: a part important of the survey will concentrate on the time of work and on the hardness of this activity. Then, the situation of every farm will be the object of a comparison with a comparable Walloon farm but not practicing this diversification. 4. SWOT analysis On basis of an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats involved in this diversification, some propositions will be advanced for perpetuate and promote the management of interesting environment by the agricultural world.

Expected results

Until now, the studies on the eco-pastoral management of the natural sites surroundings were concentrate principally on the botanical and ecological survey. This work has for particularity to put the accent on the socioeconomic aspects of people that manage this type of environment. The aim is to show the quantity of work needed to do the management of interesting environment and to see if this activity is durable economically for the farmers. Another aspect will consist in seeing how these farms distinguish themselves of the other farms of a same activity.

Contribution

Animal Production and Nutrition Department and Farming systems - Farm survey; analysis and interpretation of results; final report.

CRAW off coordinator

Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques Département Agriculture et milieu naturel Unité Systèmes agraires, territoires et technologie de l'information Rue de serpont 100 6800 Libramont Email : stilmant@cra.wallonie.be