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This research assessed how ecosystem services (ES) are taken into account in the decision-making process of stakeholders involved in the management of agroecosystems, in particular agroforestry systems, and how an Role-Playing Game (RPG) can serve as a tool to allow them to discuss the issues concerned. The study was conducted in two municipalities (Paragominas and Irituia) located in the Brazilian Amazon. The game was developed in 2018 using a co-construction process that mainly included farmers, students and researchers. Data was collected during two sessions of the game held in 2019, with participation by heterogeneous participants from different local institutions. Our results demonstrated that game sessions showed how the provision of ES, as well as other factors (e.g. values, availability of factors), is taken into account in planning the spatio-temporal configuration of the agroecosystem and associated agricultural practices. They also revealed some trade-offs involved in this decision-making process. We conclude that the RPG allowed stakeholders to synthesize and discuss different types of knowledge about this process. Bringing these elements to the discussion can contribute to an improved shared understanding of the challenges and possibilities of the ecological management of agroecosystems and can indicate solutions that are in line with local expectations.

This paper seeks to explain the emergence of South African inclusive agricultural business models in relation to the land reform policy. We demonstrate that in South Africa such policy instruments linking small-scale and large-scale farmers respond to endogenous dynamics linked to the failure of its land reform policy. We study the land reform policy change induced by its policy instruments. Indeed, introducing the market as the preferred means to implement land reform caused unanticipated side effects, creating constant pressure for change that such inadequate instrument exerted on the set policy objectives during the first phase of policy implementation. After cohabitating uneasily with rather antagonistic policy goals, policy instruments ultimately led to a change in policy objectives, shifting from supporting small-scale black subsistence agriculture to targeting a class of emerging farmers committed to commercial agriculture. Inclusive Business Model's policy instruments were subsequently identified as the best fit to achieve the re-adjusted policy goal.

In the early 1990s, the Lao government launched a nationwide Land Use Planning and Land Allocation programme in a bid to foster socio-economic development while protecting the environment. However, the programme has long been perceived as having negative impacts on rural livelihoods. A central criticism was that limited local participation results in unsustainable land use plans; consequently, the government introduced significant changes into the process to enhance participation. This paper examines the extent to which the evolution of Laos' village land use planning has resulted in increased local participation and improved livelihoods. Local participation was assessed quantitatively in six study villages, in combination with more qualitative surveys on planning practices and influences on livelihoods and land uses. The analysis reveals that local participation increased only slightly from early planning initiatives until pilot implementation of the revised programme, known as Participatory Land Use Planning. It also shows that (participation in) planning had very limited influence on local land use patterns. Drawing on these findings, the paper explores ways to better translate plans into concrete actions and to effect tangible change in local practices.

The way a model is designed to assist farmers in their decision-making may influence how it is understood and perceived by farmers and shape interactions between farmers and model users (researcher, advisor). This study compared the strengths and weaknesses of three types of whole farm models used by researchers to assist 18 crop-livestock farmers in Burkina Faso in planning the next agricultural season. Due to its simplicity, the static simulation tool of annual farm stocks and flows led to superior changes in the farmers' knowledge and practices. The rule-based dynamic simulation tool helped the researchers grasp farmers' decision-making processes but was difficult for farmers to understand due to the discrepancy between its multi-annual time step and the farmers' short-term planning horizon. The optimisation tool stimulated more strategic discussions regarding paths to improve farm income despite a design that was distant from the farmers' reality. Three types of models used in a farmer's decision support process are assessed.The static stock-flow simulation tool facilitates farmer learning on farm operations.The rule-based dynamic tool helps researchers grasp farmer decision-making processes.The optimisation tool stimulates discussion on paths leading to improved farm income.

Morocco began an ambitious agricultural policy called the Green Morocco Plan (GMP) in 2008. This paper analyses the rationale behind the plan, that is, the overall consistency between: (i) the initial assessment of the agricultural sector; (ii) the goals defined for the plan; and (iii) the instruments used to achieve these goals. The analysis is based on a review of policy documents and instruments implemented in the framework of the Plan. The original assessment, which was conducted to frame the Plan, highlighted a dual agricultural sector with traditional and modern farms. The key goals of the GMP are to increase agricultural production and farm income, and to ensure the sustainable development of rural territories. The rationale of the Plan is that, to achieve these goals, public actions should break away from the dual structure of the sector, support investments, and improve the organisation of agricultural value chains. However, this paper shows that the farm typology outlined in the original assessment was in fact inaccurate, and that, in practice, the Plan does not take the diversity of farms into account. Moreover, most of the instruments designed to improve the organisation of agricultural value chains do not give importance to the share of the value added that benefits farmers, and most of the instruments of the plan do not take the territorial level into account. As a result, the aim of the GMP is to transform rural areas through improved economic performance but, due to inaccuracies in its rationale, its focus is generally limited to enhancing agricultural production.

National audience

Suite au rattachement de Ha Tay en 200B, la province de Hanoï possède plus de terres agricoles, mais leur vitesse de réduction est plus rapide. Les systèmes de production agricole durable dans l'agriculture périurbaine de Hanoï doivent être soutenus par les rôles multifonctionnels de l'agriculture : approvisionner la ville en aliments sûrs, créer des emplois, assurer des services environnementaux pour les zones urbaines tels que le tourisme et la ceinture verte, gérer l'eau et garantir sa consommation... Cependant, l'absence de gestion institutionnelle appropriée et le manque d'investissements logistiques font que les systèmes périurbains actuels ne sont pas durables. Les enquêtes quantitatives montrent que la durabilité des systèmes de production agricoles reste faible. L.:article conclut que Hanoï devrait se doter de stratégies et politiques de développement de production et d'approvisionnement alimentaires durables, au travers d'investissements logistiques et d'une gestion de la qualité intégrée dans les chaînes de valeur. Il est nécessaire de donner la priorité au développement de circuits de distribution courts et de promouvoir l'émergence de nouveaux villages agricoles planifiés. Une planification régionale détaillée de l'agriculture est essentielle pour mieux comprendre les avantages et les inconvénients des différents types d'agriculture périurbaine qui coexistent à Hanoï aujourd'hui.

International audience

La Reforma Agraria (RA) en Colombia es un tema estratégico para la solución de diversas problemáticas que afectan al país desde hace años, como son la violencia en el campo, el desplazamiento forzado, el desempleo, la pobreza y el narcotráfico. En esta investigación se caracteriza el proceso histórico de la RA, examinando la evolución del concepto en sus diferentes períodos, y se establece el nuevo enfoque que ésta aborda. El análisis realizado muestra la existencia de once períodos históricos (desde el año 1200 hasta la actualidad) y la evolución de la RA, desde un enfoque simple y unilateral, en el que sólo se abordaba el tema de la propiedad de la tierra, hacia un enfoque integral que tiene en cuenta la articulación del tema agrario al contexto social, económico y político, a través de la planificación de propuestas que integran otros aspectos como la satisfacción de necesidades básicas, el acceso al crédito, la asistencia técnica y empresarial, la asociatividad y la participación en la toma de decisiones. Agrarian Reform (AR) in Colombia is a strategic issue for the solution of problems affecting the country for years, such as rural violence, forced displacement, unemployment, poverty and drug trafficking. This research characterizes the historical process of RA by examining the evolution of the concept in different periods, and establishing the new approach that addresses this. The analysis shows the existence of eleven historical periods (from 1200 to present) and the evolution of RA, from a simple, one-sided approach in which only addressed the issue of land ownership to a focus integral that takes into account the articulation of agricultural issues to the social, economic and political, through planning proposals that integrate other aspects such as basic needs, access to credit, technical assistance and business partnership and participation in decision making. La réforme agraire (RA) en Colombie est un enjeu stratégique pour la solution des divers problèmes qui affectent le pays depuis des années, tels que la violence en milieu rural, les déplacements forcés, le chômage, la pauvreté et le trafic de drogue. Cette recherche caractérise le processus historique de la RA, en examinant l'évolution de la notion dans les différentes périodes, et définisse la nouvelle approche qu'il aborde. L'analyse montre l'existence de onze périodes historiques (de 1200 à aujourd'hui) et le développement de la RA, à partir d'un approche simple et unilatérale lequel abordé seulement la question de la propriété foncière, à un approche globale qui prend en compte les questions d'intérêt commun agricole à la vie sociale, économique et politique; grâce à la planification des propositions qui intègrent d'autres aspects tels que les besoins de base, l'accès au crédit, l'assistance technique et d'affaires, l'associativité et la participation à la prise des décisions.

Gorbatchev's agricultural planning. The new logic of economic rationalization and decentralization in action Through the Gorbachevian economic reform, a new method for planning the deliveries of agricultural products to the State has been introduced in March 1986. For each agricultural or territorial sub-unit (farm, district, region), one index representing the productive "potential" is computed then multiplied by a "normative yield". Thus, the authorities intend to correct the unequal distribution of planned resources from the traditionnal "planning from achieved levels". Overstepping of normative deliveries, stimulated by raised incentives and diversified outlets, should indirectly play a crucial role in this respect, by slackening hierarchical tensions. A new dualist model of relations between agricultural sub-units and their environment would definitely separate the "tax in kind" (prodnalog) from a partly autonomous money-market regulation. The former micro-economically "advanced" local leaders whose provileges it threatens could defeat it by skilfully exploiting its "detailed" shorteomings. A "radical restructuring" of the existing social order, which at least till now strived to preserve one of its majors bases — the system of administered economy — seems to be a narrow path. But its economic stake is crucial for the Soviet power., La réforme impulsée par M. Gorbatchev a modifié, en mars 1986, la méthode de planification des livraisons agricoles à l'Etat. Pour chaque exploitation ou district et région, on évalue des indicateurs : potentiel productif et rendement normatif. Les autorités cherchent à corriger ainsi la distribution inégalitaire des ressources résultant de la pratique antérieure de "planification du niveau atteint". Cette rationalisation implique des relations hiérarchiques dans l'administration territoriale. La décentralisation devrait être facilitée par le dépassement des normes de livraison, sous l'effet de stimulants économiques renforcés et diversifiés. Cette réforme vise aussi à instaurer un modèle dual où "impôt en nature" et régulation marchande seraient bien séparés. Les dirigeants des exploitations ou districts qui se trouvaient privilégiés par l'ancienne méthode chercheront à mettre la réforme en échec, à travers ses failles. Son succès dépend donc de la capacité du pouvoir à créer une dynamique sociale favorable à la méthode de "planification normative". L'enjeu de la réforme agricole est crucial : le pouvoir imposera-t-il cette restructuration radicale ("perestroïka") de l'ordre social, tout en préservant l'essentiel du système de l'économie administrée, une des bases de cet ordre ?, Pouliquen Alain. La planification agricole sous Gorbatchev. La nouvelle logique de rationalisation et décentralisation économiques en action. In: Cahiers d'Economie et sociologie rurales, N°6, 1er trimestre 1988. pp. 41-73.