Workload and remuneration on farms in the south of France: The uncertain future of agroecology

This research focuses on evaluating labour remuneration for farmers implementing agroecological systems. Agroecological systems require a greater investment in labour than conventional systems, but offer the prospect of higher prices, particularly when farmers take on part of the processing and marketing of their products. The amount of labour in days invested and the level of remuneration were assessed for a sample of farms located in ten regions of southern France. After recalling the trend towards labour extensification that has marked recent developments in agriculture, the article highlights the contrasts that characterize the current situation. In “agro-ecological” farms, the amount of work invested is much greater and much less remunerated than in conventional farms. Agroecology is practiced mainly by farmers who do not have the means to implement conventional systems. The article concludes with policy implications of these results. Agricultural prices and the allocation of European subsidies need to be rethought if agroecology is to become widespread.