Abstract / Description of output
Identifying and interpreting the heterogeneity of farmer behaviour is becoming increasingly important in support of policy- and decision-making goals. This paper explores whether observed differences in farming practices can be interpreted from the heterogeneity of farmer behaviour. Farmer attitudes and objectives were analysed using a combination of principal components and cluster analysis applied to responses to statements in a telephone-based survey. Respondents were classified into four profiles; business-oriented, lifestylers, multifunctionalists and traditionalists. Each profile differed in terms of farm management practices, the amount of land farmers either managed or owned, the existence of successors and the importance placed on household members in providing information. The results suggest that knowledge of farmer behavioural profiles could support more targeted policy development that accounts for alternative farmer goals. However, similarities were also found between the profiles, suggesting that farmer behaviour would be better interpreted as a dynamic set of identities, rather than as static profiles.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 915-926 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Human Ecology |
Volume | 41 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2013 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Attitudes
- Farmers
- Objectives
- Switzerland
- Typology