[go: up one dir, main page]
IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/agisys/v161y2018icp89-101.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Simulating incomes of radical organic farms with MERLIN: A grounded modeling approach for French microfarms

Author

Listed:
  • Morel, Kevin
  • San Cristobal, Magali
  • Léger, François Gilbert
Abstract
Microfarms are commercial soil-based market gardens with <1.5ha of organic vegetables per farmer seeking to make a living on that small acreage by combing high land-use intensity, low input and few mechanized practices with direct sells. Insights in their profitability are missing in literature. Our research objective was to build a simulation model of micro-farms' income and agricultural area based on farmers' expertise. An interactive development based on grounded modelling was implemented. This implied an inductive qualitative analysis and farmers' participation to collect data and to build and validate the model. With data collected on 20 micro-farms', a stochastic simulation model (MERLIN) was built, combining (i) two mixed models to predict yields and workload for 50 crops, and (ii) a crop-planning model. MERLIN generates cropping plans that match the complex and temporal commercial requirements for direct selling of vegetable boxes through community-supported agricultural schemes. The model was validated with various strategic choices, climate assumptions and annual workload. Our model was judged relevant and legitimate by agricultural practitioners because it was not prescriptive and corresponds to strategic preferences of organic farmers. Grounded modelling is promising to create generic knowledge adapted to radical organic farming systems, but some epistemological implications require further investigation, e.g. by taking benefit from the transdisciplinary framework developed in agroecological studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Morel, Kevin & San Cristobal, Magali & Léger, François Gilbert, 2018. "Simulating incomes of radical organic farms with MERLIN: A grounded modeling approach for French microfarms," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 89-101.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:161:y:2018:i:c:p:89-101
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2017.08.006
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308521X1630600X
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.agsy.2017.08.006?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Oriade, Caleb A. & Dillon, Carl R., 1997. "Developments in biophysical and bioeconomic simulation of agricultural systems: a review," Agricultural Economics, Blackwell, vol. 17(1), pages 45-58, October.
    2. Stoorvogel, J. J. & Antle, J. M. & Crissman, C. C. & Bowen, W., 2004. "The tradeoff analysis model: integrated bio-physical and economic modeling of agricultural production systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 80(1), pages 43-66, April.
    3. Mendoza, Guillermo A. & Prabhu, Ravi, 2006. "Participatory modeling and analysis for sustainable forest management: Overview of soft system dynamics models and applications," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 9(2), pages 179-196, November.
    4. Caleb A. Oriade & Carl R. Dillon, 1997. "Developments in biophysical and bioeconomic simulation of agricultural systems: a review," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 17(1), pages 45-58, October.
    5. Janssen, Sander & van Ittersum, Martin K., 2007. "Assessing farm innovations and responses to policies: A review of bio-economic farm models," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 94(3), pages 622-636, June.
    6. Dogliotti, S. & van Ittersum, M.K. & Rossing, W.A.H., 2005. "A method for exploring sustainable development options at farm scale: a case study for vegetable farms in South Uruguay," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 86(1), pages 29-51, October.
    7. Carter, Michael R, 1984. "Identification of the Inverse Relationship between Farm Size and Productivity: An Empirical Analysis of Peasant Agricultural Production," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 36(1), pages 131-145, March.
    8. Günter Küppers & Johannes Lenhard, 2005. "Validation of Simulation: Patterns in the Social and Natural Sciences," Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, vol. 8(4), pages 1-3.
    9. Pretty, Jules N., 1995. "Participatory learning for sustainable agriculture," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 23(8), pages 1247-1263, August.
    10. Peter Rosset, 2000. "The Multiple Functions and Benefits of Small Farm Agriculture in the Context of Global Trade Negotiations," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 43(2), pages 77-82, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Guzmán, Gloria Isabel & Fernández, David Soto & Aguilera, Eduardo & Infante-Amate, Juan & de Molina, Manuel González, 2022. "The close relationship between biophysical degradation, ecosystem services and family farms decline in Spanish agriculture (1992–2017)," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    2. Benjamin Ruch & Margita Hefner & André Sradnick, 2023. "Excessive Nitrate Limits the Sustainability of Deep Compost Mulch in Organic Market Gardening," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-13, May.
    3. Morel, Kevin & Cartau, Karine, 2023. "Adaptation of organic vegetable farmers to climate change: An exploratory study in the Paris region," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    4. Pépin, Antonin & Morel, Kevin & van der Werf, Hayo M.G., 2021. "Conventionalised vs. agroecological practices on organic vegetable farms: Investigating the influence of farm structure in a bifurcation perspective," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Martin, G., 2015. "A conceptual framework to support adaptation of farming systems – Development and application with Forage Rummy," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 132(C), pages 52-61.
    2. Dirksmeyer, W., 2008. "Ist eine Reduzierung des Pflanzenschutzmitteleinsatzes im Freilandgemüsebau möglich? Ergebnisse eines bioökonomischen Simulationsmodells," Proceedings “Schriften der Gesellschaft für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften des Landbaues e.V.”, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA), vol. 43, March.
    3. Groot, Jeroen C.J. & Oomen, Gerard J.M. & Rossing, Walter A.H., 2012. "Multi-objective optimization and design of farming systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 63-77.
    4. Adelhart Toorop, Roos & Ceccarelli, Viviana & Bijarniya, Deepak & Jat, Mangi Lal & Jat, Raj Kumar & Lopez-Ridaura, Santiago & Groot, Jeroen C.J., 2020. "Using a positive deviance approach to inform farming systems redesign: A case study from Bihar, India," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    5. Shibia, Mumina Guyo, 2010. "Evaluation of Economic Losses in Rearing Replacement Heifers in Pastoral and Peri-Urban Camel Herds of Isiolo District, Kenya," Research Theses 134493, Collaborative Masters Program in Agricultural and Applied Economics.
    6. Le Gal, P.-Y. & Dugué, P. & Faure, G. & Novak, S., 2011. "How does research address the design of innovative agricultural production systems at the farm level? A review," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 104(9), pages 714-728.
    7. Stéphane Blancard & Jean-Philippe Boussemart & Walter Briec & Kristiaan Kerstens, 2006. "Short- and Long-Run Credit Constraints in French Agriculture: A Directional Distance Function Framework Using Expenditure-Constrained Profit Functions," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 88(2), pages 351-364.
    8. Pépin, Antonin & Morel, Kevin & van der Werf, Hayo M.G., 2021. "Conventionalised vs. agroecological practices on organic vegetable farms: Investigating the influence of farm structure in a bifurcation perspective," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    9. Dupré, Marie & Blazy, Jean-Marc & Michels, Thierry & Le Gal, Pierre-Yves, 2021. "Supporting policymakers in designing agricultural policy instruments: A participatory approach with a regional bioeconomic model in La Réunion (France)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    10. Wenbo Zhang & Wilbert Wilhelm, 2011. "OR/MS decision support models for the specialty crops industry: a literature review," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 190(1), pages 131-148, October.
    11. Feola, Giuseppe & Binder, Claudia R., 2010. "Towards an improved understanding of farmers' behaviour: The integrative agent-centred (IAC) framework," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(12), pages 2323-2333, October.
    12. Kanter, David R. & Musumba, Mark & Wood, Sylvia L.R. & Palm, Cheryl & Antle, John & Balvanera, Patricia & Dale, Virginia H. & Havlik, Petr & Kline, Keith L. & Scholes, R.J. & Thornton, Philip & Titton, 2018. "Evaluating agricultural trade-offs in the age of sustainable development," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 73-88.
    13. Mugurel Ionel JITEA & Diana Elena DUMITRAȘ & Vasile Alexandru SIMU, 2015. "An ex-ante impact assessment of the Common Agricultural Policy reform in the North-Western Romania," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 61(2), pages 88-103.
    14. Coleno, F. C. & Duru, M., 1999. "A model to find and test decision rules for turnout date and grazing area allocation for a dairy cow system in spring," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 61(3), pages 151-164, September.
    15. Lairez, Juliette & Jourdain, Damien & Lopez-Ridaura, Santiago & Syfongxay, Chanthaly & Affholder, François, 2023. "Multicriteria assessment of alternative cropping systems at farm level. A case with maize on family farms of South East Asia," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    16. Morel, Kevin & San Cristobal, Magali & Léger, François Gilbert, 2017. "Small can be beautiful for organic market gardens: an exploration of the economic viability of French microfarms using MERLIN," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 39-49.
    17. Graeub, Benjamin E. & Chappell, M. Jahi & Wittman, Hannah & Ledermann, Samuel & Kerr, Rachel Bezner & Gemmill-Herren, Barbara, 2016. "The State of Family Farms in the World," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 87(C), pages 1-15.
    18. Argyris Kanellopoulos & Paul Berentsen & Thomas Heckelei & Martin Van Ittersum & Alfons Oude Lansink, 2010. "Assessing the Forecasting Performance of a Generic Bio‐Economic Farm Model Calibrated With Two Different PMP Variants," Journal of Agricultural Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(2), pages 274-294, June.
    19. Hester, Susan M. & Cacho, Oscar, 2003. "Modelling apple orchard systems," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 77(2), pages 137-154, August.
    20. Moretti, Michele & De Boni, Annalisa & Roma, Rocco & Fracchiolla, Mariano & Van Passel, Steven, 2016. "Integrated assessment of agro-ecological systems: The case study of the “Alta Murgia” National park in Italy," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 144-155.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:161:y:2018:i:c:p:89-101. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/locate/agsy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.