Publication Details |
| Category | Text Publication |
| Reference Category | Journals |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104439 |
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| Title (Primary) | Farmer decision-making on agri-environmental schemes: An agent-based modelling approach to evaluate different policy designs in Saxony, Germany |
| Author | Will, M.; Jäger, F.; Müller, B.
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| Source Titel | Agricultural Systems |
| Year | 2025 |
| Department | OESA |
| Volume | 229 |
| Page From | art. 104439 |
| Language | englisch |
| Topic | T5 Future Landscapes |
| Supplements | https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0308521X25001799-mmc1.pdf https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0308521X25001799-mmc2.pdf https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0308521X25001799-mmc3.pdf https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0308521X25001799-mmc4.pdf https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0308521X25001799-mmc5.pdf |
| Keywords | highlight; Agent-based modelling; Agriculture; Agri-environment and climate schemes; Farmer behavior; Farm interviews; Policy assessment |
| Abstract | CONTEXT Agri-environmental schemes (AES) are intended to promote sustainable agricultural management. However, in the context of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy, AES in their current implementation have not met expectations regarding their potential to protect biodiversity and ecosystem services. Model-based analyses are particularly suitable for investigating how policy measures should be designed to achieve greater acceptance. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to use an agent-based model to critically evaluate the impact of changes in agricultural policies on AES adoption rates taking the Mulde River Basin in Germany as an example. METHODS Based on data from semi-structured interviews and an online survey, farmers' decision-making in the agent-based model is divided into two main steps: First, it is determined whether farmers are open to adopt an AES, regardless of economic AES contract characteristics. If so, in a second step, their actual adoption is calculated based on the compensation individual farmers require for specific contract designs. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The model suggests that changes of AES contract design have more influence on adoption rates than changes in openness of the farmers. At present, limited openness is not the decisive reason for overall low adoption rates. Nevertheless, we find that an expansion of advisory support only fosters adoption if advice promotes farmer openness, which is currently not the case for all considered AES. In addition, social influence between farmers further increases adoption, especially if a farmer's network is large and influential. SIGNIFICANCE By systematically assessing the impact of changes in policy design, we show how the potential of the AES could be exploited to a greater extent. Furthermore, we discuss how such a model can be used in biophysical analyses to quantify the environmental impact of AES adoption. |
| Persistent UFZ Identifier | https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=30985 |
| Will, M., Jäger, F., Müller, B. (2025): Farmer decision-making on agri-environmental schemes: An agent-based modelling approach to evaluate different policy designs in Saxony, Germany Agric. Syst. 229 , art. 104439 10.1016/j.agsy.2025.104439 |
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