Economics and Social Sciences Research Unit (LARESS)

Overview

RESEARCH TOPICS TEAM & ORGANISATION KEY WORDS

Farmers are experiencing profound changes in the context in which they practice their profession: changes in public policies, rising environmental, health and welfare standards, new technological developments, etc. This professional group is also undergoing major endogenous socio-economic changes with a significant renewal of its workforce, the emergence of new farmer profiles, collective forms of activity, and the transformation of structures. In this context, LARESS is questioning the evolution of the profession and competitiveness of agriculture, its social and territorial dynamics.

Axis 1: Business forms, professional models and farmers’ careers

The agricultural profession is facing two major challenges: the renewal of the workforce, in a context where the average age of farm managers is high (51 years old), and the improvement of incomes when some farmers and farm employees have low or unstable incomes. In a context where the social group of farmers is struggling to reproduce itself, the increasing porosity of the profession – observed in particular in the trajectories and in the exercise of the profession – reinforces the questioning of the professional model, and contributes to its diversification.

LARESS describes and analyses ways of practicing the profession (in terms of equipment, economic models, and involvement in territories and networks).

What are the ‘professional models’ pursued by farmers and how are they reflected in business? In their performance, both economic and in terms of well-being ? How do they relate to the diversity of farmers’ professional trajectories?

Axis 2: Negotiating modes of agricultural production in hybrid scenes

The agro-ecological transition has become a major injunction from public authorities to farmers, and therefore a structuring reference framework for actors in the agricultural world to express and think about their modes of production and their evolution. At the same time, we are witnessing a decrease in public support for agriculture. Important challenges facing producers are changes in production practices and the (better) remuneration of their activity.

While the food sectors are seeking to qualify foods with respect to the greening of production methods, LARESS is analysing modes of valuation (evaluation / valorisation) of production practices. How and with whom is the value of agricultural production negotiated ? How can these characteristics be paid for?

Our research projects

Consultancy Services

The members of the laboratory are frequently called upon by partner companies or institutions for consultancies (advice, conferences, training, etc.).

These interventions may concern:

Research work, relating to our areas of expertise

Conferences, in particular within the framework of general assemblies or work seminars of professional agricultural organisations.

Conferences for the general public.

Recent interventions:

‘The evolution of farm structures in agriculture’ – séminaire Gaec et Sociétés – Webinar – dec. 2, 2021 – G. Anzalone.

‘Uses of digital social networks in agriculture’ –MSA d’Alsace – Webinar – oct. 22, 2021 – B. Thareau.
‘Understanding the sociology of farmers and their involvement in the profession’ – IFOCAP Paris, oct. 20, 2021 – B. Thareau.
‘Passing on our farms, passing on our know-how’, ARDEAR Pays de la Loire, June 24, 2021, A. Sigwalt.
‘The economic levers of food transition’, Webinar ‘Food transition and territorial projects’ SCET (Services Conseil Expertise et Territoires), April 1, 2021, K. Daniel.
‘End of family vocations and new business projects: how to pass on farms today.’- Evening agricultural debate – Community of the Pays de Craon – Dec. 19. 2019 – B. Thareau
‘Elements of analysis of the economic and social challenges of the development of digital / robotic tools in farms and agricultural sectors’ – 3RDF – Regional Chamber of Agriculture New Aquitaine – 5 Dec. 2019 – K.
‘The engagement of young people in professional collectives’ – Conference-Debate – Regional Federation of Western CUMAs – August 29, 19 – A. Sigwalt.

‘Organisation of work and provision of services’ – AG CUMA Pays de la Loire – St Clément de la Place (49) – Feb. 19 – G. Anzalone.

Study programmes

TEACHING INTERNSHIPS

Partners

SCIENTIFIC PARTNERS PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS NETWORKS AND COLLABORATIVE GROUPS Chaire

LARESS has developed on the basis of contributions to studies and finalised research projects intended to inform the more or less long-term decisions of private and public decision-makers and professional groups acting in the agricultural sphere.

The research projects developed are for the most part built in partnership. Beyond these projects, researchers contribute to these relationships through the publication of transfer documents, the facilitation of conferences and debates. In 2013, the implementation of the Agricultural Mutations Partnership Chair made it possible to consolidate relations with certain partners by working jointly to develop research around the evolution of agriculture.

The objective of the research unit is also to carry out work within the framework of French and international academic partnerships.

NATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS in in Economics and Social Sciences:

INRAE (UMR Smart-LERECO ; AGIR ; CESAER ; LISIS ; SADAPT),
GERDAL (Experimentation and Research Group; Development and Local Actions),
Angers & Nantes Universities
Institut Agro (Rennes-Angers–Montpellier).