ABSTRACT

Agri-environmental schemes (AESs) have been implemented in many countries in Europe. However, there is mixed evidence about their effectiveness. Several studies in different countries suggest that AESs are more effective when designed at landscape level and implemented by groups of collaborating farmers (‘farmer collectives’). The EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has enabled groups of farmers to be applicants for and final beneficiaries of AESs subsidies for the period 2015–2020, but it is unclear what is needed for farmer collectives engaged in AESs to contribute to more agrobiodiversity. In this paper, the lens of ‘professionalization’ is used to conceptualize and operationalize the performance of farmer collectives. We have developed an assessment framework that facilitates the characterization and development of the degree of professionalization of farmer collectives. The ultimate aim is achieving ecological effectiveness of AESs by professionalization of the farmer collectives. The framework distinguishes three categories of professionalization: organizational, occupational and systemic, and provides a new lens for research on AESs. It can also be used by practitioners involved in AESs to provide insight into, and reflect upon, the performance of farmer collectives.

摘要

农业环境计划（AES）已在欧洲许多国家实施。然而，关于它们的有效性的证据好坏参半。不同国家的几项研究表明，在景观层面设计并由合作农民团体（“农民集体”）实施时，AES 更为有效。欧盟共同农业政策 (CAP) 使农民群体成为 2015-2020 年 AES 补贴的申请人和最终受益者，但尚不清楚参与 AES 的农民集体需要什么来促进更多的农业生物多样性。在本文中，“专业化”的镜头被用来概念化和操作农民集体的绩效。我们制定了一个评估框架，促进农民集体专业化程度的表征和发展。最终目标是通过农民集体的专业化来实现 AES 的生态效益。该框架区分了三类专业化：组织化、职业化和系统化，并为 AES 研究提供了新视角。参与 AES 的从业人员也可以使用它来深入了解和反思农民集体的绩效。并为研究 AES 提供了新的视角。参与 AES 的从业人员也可以使用它来深入了解和反思农民集体的绩效。并为研究 AES 提供了新的视角。参与 AES 的从业人员也可以使用它来深入了解和反思农民集体的绩效。