Les agriculteurs et la politique agricole en 1972 : premiers résultats d'une enquête sur les opinions et les comportements

Abstract

[eng] Farmers and farm policy in 1972 - First results of a survey on opinions and behaviour . The objective of this research is to study models of individual behaviour of farmers. More specifically, the aim is to see whether an economic classification based on the rate and tupe of change occuring on the farms is consistent with a sociological classification using as indicator the degree of adoption by the farmers of the values and symbols of global society. The main hypothesis being tested is that there is a relationship between what the farmers do on their farm and what their opinions are on various questions concerning their life as farmers. This should help forecasting and decision making. __**__A second hypothesis concerns the low degree of farmer's participation in the farm organizations and institutions. Can one simply put the blame on individualism ? Whe think that the present system of represent tation of members in the organizations increases the part played by a shrinking number of leaders with correlative disinterest of the rest of the membership.__**__The study involves the analysis of samples of 220 farmers each in ten different areas - in all 2 200 farmers were interviewed.__**__Three types of farming are found side by side :__**__1- Subsistence-level farming - characterized by the small size of the farms, the inhabitants low standard of living, their lack of contacts with the outside world and with ministerial or professional bodies. It wakes up 15 % - 20 % of the total number of farmers, and 5 to 10 % of cultivated land ; 30 % of them have addiitonal income derived from a non- agricultural activity.__**__2 - Traditional farming, - made up of farms that are often quite extensive, represents about 45 % of the farmers and of the total area. Their standard of living is average, their way of life traditional. It is here that the greatest proportion of young farmes are to be found. However there is a distinct tendency for them to remain single and for more than one family to live under one roof. These farmers, some of whom are anxious only to increase the size of their farms by investing as little as possible in equipment, are active in professional bodies but have little contact with ministerial services.__**__A - Modern farming where there is a great deal of investment, wakes up 35 to 40 % of the farmers and 50 % of the total area. The families standard of living is high. They may be deeply in debt and these business men seem more vulnerable to changes in the economic situation than the others. They have frequent contacts with ministerial services. Many union leaders come from their ranks.__**__The leaders, characterized by the closeness of their contacts with government departments and professional bodies, present a very particular picture : younger than the group average, heads of hig families, with a very high standard of living, they use good management methods, often sign integration contracts and invest a great deal.__**__They are the active elements of Union life. Contrary to current opinion, t...