2012年-CEPS欧洲政策研究中心_Modelling_the_Multifunctionality_of_Czech_Agriculture_18页_224kb

Summary of "MODELLING THE MULTIFUNCTIONALITY OF CZECH AGRICULTURE"

Core Content

This working paper by Tomás Doucha and Ivan Foltýn examines the multifunctionality of Czech agriculture in the context of evolving agricultural policies and structural changes since the 1990s. The study uses the non-linear optimising model FARMA 4 to simulate the impacts of different policy scenarios on selected multifunctionality indicators for eight farm categories, differentiated by region and orientation (profit vs. income).

Main Policy Stages

1995–97: Restructuring

• Agricultural policy focused on restructuring and stabilising the new farm structure.
• Support was mainly directed towards maintaining landscape and non-food use (e.g., biofuel).
• Budgetary support was 41% for restructuring, 19.72% for income, and 22.04% for environment.
• Administrative barriers protected domestic consumers and producers.

1998–2003: CAP-like policy

• Total support increased by over 60% compared to the previous period.
• Income support became the largest share (37.61%), while environmental and multifunctional support rose to 31%.
• Trade agreements reduced tariff protection but kept it higher than in the EU.
• Environmental support, especially for LFA, remained significant.

2004–05: CAP

• Budgetary support increased sharply by 68%.
• Income support dominated (55.42%), with direct payments including decoupled and coupled support.
• Environmental support increased, particularly for LFA, but biofuel support decreased due to EU regulations.
• Czech farms entered the EU Single Market with zero protection for the sector but higher protection than before.

Farm Structure and Ownership

• Land market quality and ownership structures significantly influence multifunctionality.
• Land use is highly concentrated (about 5% of largest farms occupy 75% of UAA).
• Only 12–13% of agricultural land is owned by farms, with the rest leased.
• Family farms account for 13% of UAA, while profit-oriented farms dominate.
• Non-agricultural and foreign capital are increasingly entering the land market.

Farm Categories and Characteristics

Farm categories are defined by:

• Regional location: Hilly (H), Potato (P), Maize & Sugar Beet (M)
• Orientation: Profit (P) or Income (I)

This results in six farm categories: HP, HI, PP, PI, MP, MI.

Key indicators for these categories (based on 100 ha farms) include:

• Arable land: Hilly (12.4–19.6 ha), Potato (54.6–71.3 ha), Maize & Sugar Beet (96.7–94.0 ha)
• Grassland: Hilly (87.6–80.4 ha), Potato (45.4–28.5 ha), Maize & Sugar Beet (3.1–3.1 ha)
• Dairy cows: Hilly (10.4–8.9 heads), Potato (7.0–14.6 heads), Maize & Sugar Beet (1.0–3.8 heads)
• Labour: Hilly (1.40 AWU), Potato (1.40–2.97 AWU), Maize & Sugar Beet (1.85–3.02 AWU)
• Production: Hilly (753–1,247,000 CZK), Potato (1,497–2,399,000 CZK), Maize & Sugar Beet (2,362–2,982,000 CZK)
• Profitability: Varies by region and orientation, with higher values in M and I categories.
• Non-agricultural production share: 2.0–3.7%

Multifunctionality Indicators

The development of multifunctionality over time is reflected in the following indicators (1989–2004):

• Land abandonment: 300,000 ha (no change)
• Share of arable land: 75% (1989) → 71.7% (2004)
• Share of land threatened by erosion: 35% (1989) → 33% (2004)
• Ecological farming: 0% (1989) → 5.97% (2004)
• Number of cows: 1,248,000 (1989) → 574,000 (2004)
• Number of sheep: 399,000 (1989) → 140,000 (2004)
• Number of workers in agriculture: 533,000 (1989) → 141,000 (2004)
• Share of non-agricultural income: 30% (1989) → 16% (2004)

Key Findings

• Profit-oriented farms are more likely to adopt extensive production methods with lower labour input.
• The current policy framework has led to a reduction in multifunctional roles, especially in terms of social functions and rural development.
• The low willingness of farms to create new job opportunities in non-agricultural sectors increases the risk of rural unemployment.
• High transaction costs in land use and ownership hinder the conversion of arable land into grassland or other multifunctional uses.
• Weak enforcement of environmental laws and slow land consolidation have limited the effectiveness of environmental and multifunctional policies.

Policy Scenarios and Simulations

• The study simulates the effects of different policy scenarios up to 2010.
• Under all scenarios, there is a trend towards more extensive production and lower labour input.
• The model suggests that profit-oriented farms will continue to dominate, with limited support for multifunctional activities unless policy changes are introduced to encourage diversification and sustainability.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• The multifunctionality of Czech agriculture is constrained by current land ownership and policy structures.
• A shift in policy towards ecological farming, land consolidation, and support for rural development is needed to enhance multifunctional roles.
• Strengthening enforcement of environmental regulations and flexibility in the land market could help reduce the negative impacts of industrial farming and promote sustainable land use.