Elevage laitier, jeux d’acteurs et transition agroécologique. Une analyse croisée des pratiques agricoles et de commercialisation en Aveyron

Dairy farmers, agricultural experts, and the agroecological transition: a cross-analysis of agricultural and marketing practices in Aveyron

For farmers, implementing agroecological practices is complex. It often involves rethinking production and marketing systems and adopting a systematic way of farming. Farmers also seek support from networks of agricultural experts. Using an approach combining agricultural science and sociology, we examined the networking component of the agroecological transition process. Our study was carried out in the Tarn - Aveyron region, where we surveyed 5 dairy farmers and 23 members of their support networks. We described the transition trajectories of these farmers, who differed in their degree of progress. More specifically, we examined their differential use of innovations and support networks. In general, the farmers may ultimately seek and apply the advice given by experts (vertical networking) or engage in exchanges with other farmers (horizonal networking), which are more heavily used by farmers committed to the agroecological transition.