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NATURNAER-Natur og næring

Socio-economic and environmental impacts of organic farming

Tildelt: kr 3,6 mill.

Organic farming has developed rapidly in recent years. Interest in the organic sector stretches beyond the market opportunities. It is perceived to provide multiple benefits beyond the immediate effect on the farmer, e.g., environmental performance, healt hier and safer food, rural development and improved animal welfare. However, there is little empirical evidence of the wider socio-economic and environmental impacts and on public preferences of these attributes. The aim of this project is to explore orga nic farming's economic, environmental and social contributions to the Norwegian society. We will examine questions such as: - Does organic farming in Norway provide additional benefits to the society compared to conventional agriculture? - How are the pot ential contributions related to environmental issues (biodiversity, landscapes, pollution, and use of resources), food safety and quality, animal welfare, rural development, etc.? And do they differ between farm types and regions? - What does the various stakeholders and policy makers actually want from the environmental and socio-economic attributes of (organic) agriculture? - How can potential benefits of organic farming be taken into consideration in shaping agricultural policy? Socio-economic and env ironmental consequences of alternative management and policy options will be estimated. Non-market goods will not be evaluated in monetary values but quantified in physical terms. Studies will be reviewed and data sources analysed to figure out impacts of the farming systems. Major stakeholders' preferences will be elicited in focus groups and the evaluation of the farming systems will be performed in a multi-criteria analysis. The evaluations will be carried out at national, local community and farm leve l. The study area for local examination will be Sør-Trøndelag. Based on the findings in the project, implications for organic farming policies will be developed.

Budsjettformål:

NATURNAER-Natur og næring