Bundesprogramm Ökolandbau: die zweiten zehn Prozent werden anstrengend

20 Prozent Ökolandbau in zehn Jahren – das ist nur durch ein komplexes Bündel von Maßnahmen zu erreichen. Sonst gerät das Gleichgewicht von Angebot und Nachfrage nach Öko-Produkten aus dem Lot. Das Verbraucherschutzministerium (BMVEL) von Renate Künast hat jetzt ein Bundesprogramm Ökolandbau aufgelegt. (zitiert aus: Nieberg, H (2002) Bundesprogramm Ökolandbau: die zweiten zehn Prozent werden anstrengend. Schrot & Korn, 3/2002, 55-57) Die Verbraucherzeitschrift Schrot & Korn interviewte Frau Dr. Nieberg, von der Bundesforschungsanstalt für Landwirtschaft (FAL), die an dem Bundesprogramm Ökolandbau maßgeblich mitgewirkt hat

New insights into organic farming in Germany – empirical results of a survey in 218 farms

A comprehensive description of the recent structure, performance and developments of organic farming in Germany does not exist. Because of this gap the Institute of Organic Farming and the Institute of Farm Economics of the German Federal Agricultural Research Centre (FAL) have carried out an interdisciplinary empirical analysis of the state of the art of Organic Farming in Germany in 2002-2003. In addition to the status-quo-analysis an important function of the study was to establish a long lasting research-organic farming network. Farm economists, organic crop production specialists, organic livestock specialists and sociologists are member of the scientific network. 218 randomly chosen farms throughout Germany have been surveyed in 2002/2003. The survey was carried out with face-to-face interviews including closed, open-ended and open response-option questions. Up to 15,000 variables per farm have been gathered. In this paper the major findings of the survey are described

Umstellung auf ökologischen Landbau: Wer profitiert?

Die Umstellung auf ökologischen Landbau ist für die Mehrzahl der geförderten Betriebe erfolgreich verlaufen. Die Wirtschaftlichkeit der Umstellung wird allerdings deutlich von der Förderprämie und den Vermarktungsmöglichkeiten beeinflusst. Aufgrund von vergleichsweise günstigeren Vermarktungsbedingungen für pflanzliche Produkte haben Marktfruchtbetriebe in der Vergangenheit von der Umstellung besonders profitiert. Das durchschnittlich positive Ergebnis darf jedoch nicht darüber hinwegtäuschen, dass es Betriebsleiter gibt, die mit ihrem Umstellungsergebnis nicht zufrieden sind. Vor allem für Betriebsleiter, die keine höheren Preise für ihre Erzeugnisse erzielen, stellt sich häufig die Frage, ob die ökologische Wirtschaftsweise weitergeführt oder auf andere staatlich geförderte und weniger restriktive Extensivierungsmaßnahmen umgeschwenkt werden soll. In der Umstellung auf ökologischen Landbau liegen große Chancen, aber auch große Risiken. Genauso wie sein konventionell wirtschaftender Kollege muss der Ökobauer unternehmerisches Talent sowie eine hohe Kompetenz in der Produktion und Vermarktung besitzen, um erfolgreich zu sein

Unterschiede zwischen erfolgreichen und weniger erfolgreichen Ökobetrieben

Die Umstellung auf ökologischen Landbau hat sich in der Vergangenheit für einen großen Teil der umgestellten Betriebe als wirtschaftlich interessante Alternative erwiesen. In diesem Beitrag wird daran anknüpfend der Frage nachgegangen, von welchen Einflussfaktoren die Erzielung eines guten Umstellungs- und Betriebserfolges im ökologischen Landbau abhängig ist. Als Datenbasis stehen eine Zeitreihe von auf Umstellungsbetrieben selbst erhobenen Daten sowie die Testbetriebsnetzdaten zur Verfügung. Um Aussagen über den Erfolg der Umstellung im Vergleich zu einer konventionellen Weiterbewirtschaftung des Betriebes treffen zu können, wird als Klassifizierungskriterium zunächst die Gewinndifferenz im Vergleich zu einer konventionellen Referenzgruppe gewählt. Der "absolute" Betriebserfolg wird dagegen klassischerweise anhand des Gewinns je nicht entlohnter Arbeitskraft gemessen. (zitiert aus: http://www.agroonline.de/agrarwirtschaft/aktuell/beitraege/pages/showmsg.prl?params=recent%3D1%26type%3D2&id=181&currPage=&type=2 am 09.10.2003

Unterschiede zwischen erfolgreichen und weniger erfolgreichen Ökobetrieben in Deutschland

The conversion to organic farming has proven to be an economically interesting alternative for a large portion of the converted farms in the past. This contribution will consider the question of which factors influence the success of organic farming. The basis for the study is a series of data taken from the converting farms themselves as well as data of the farm accountancy data network. The success of conversion is measured by the profit difference in comparison to a conventional reference group, while the absolute performance of the organic farm is assessed classically on the basis of the profit per family work unit. The results show that the successful farms are more likely to be arable farms. Successful organic farms tend to produce in a more market-oriented manner. They get higher prices and produce a large number of products that can be sold for especially high prices on the organic market. As is to be expected, the successful farms also receive higher natural yields than the less successful farms and produce at a comparatively lower cost. Also, organic grants provide a lesser portion of their income, and they are thus less dependent on agricultural policies as less successful farms. A consideration of the most important socio-economic indices shows that successful farms are primarily those which are farmed full time. The farmers also have a comparatively above-average education in agriculture. A discussion of the most important consequences for politics and agricultural practice conclude this paper, drawn on the most important factors identified in the study.organic farming, conversion, profitability, economic performance, Farm Management,

Impact of the 2003 CAP reform on organic farming in Germany

The financial performance of organic and conventional farming is highly influenced by the EU direct payment policy. While organic farms receive considerable support from agrienvironmental programmes, the design of the first pillar put organic farming at a disadvantage in the past. The 2003 CAP reform has changed this situation particularly by decoupling direct payments and reducing price support. This paper has therefore the aim to identify and assess the impact of the CAP reform on the relative profitability and production structure of organic farms in Germany. The statistical analysis of FADN data from the years 2003/04 and 2006/07 suggests that differences in payments from the first pillar decreased, affecting positively the relative profitability of organic farms. A survey among German organic farmers revealed however that only a minority attributes substantial changes in profits to the CAP reform and decoupling, respectively. The outcomes of this investigation suggest that organic farmers still require more specific information and advice in order to use the new possibilities given through decoupling

Potential of differentiated payment levels based on standard cost approaches: A case study of selected rural development measures in Germany

In accordance with EU regulations, payment levels for several measures of rural development programs are calculated on the basis of standard cost approaches, using 'typical’ or average figures for costs incurred and income forgone. Resulting uniform payment rates have been frequently discussed and criticised as being inefficient, having a low cost-effectiveness and generating excessive windfall profits. However, few empirical studies exist which quantitatively examine potentials of a more differentiated standard cost approach. By using German farm accountancy data, this study analyses effects of a payment differentiation according to regional and farm individual characteristics on producer rents, budget expenditures and economic efficiency. Preliminary results show that though overcompensation could be reduced in most cases, savings in budget expenditure are often small and might be even offset by increasing administration costs. Generally our analysis indicates that potential benefits of differentiated standard cost approaches can be partly exploited if a) variances of the cost of participation in the universe of farms are high and the discriminatory natures of differentiation are significant, and b) positive correlations between costs and environmental benefits are strong

Ökologischer Landbau in Europa - eine wirtschaftliche Alternative?

Die in diesem Beitrag verwendeten Zahlen basieren auf einer Datenerhebung, die in sämtlichen EU-Mitgliedstaaten sowie in Norwegen, der Schweiz und der Tschechischen Republik mit Hilfe nationaler Experten durchgeführt worden ist. Die Informationslage über betriebswirtschaftliche Kennzahlen von ökologisch bewirtschafteten Betrieben ist in den untersuchten Ländern recht unterschiedlich. Vor allem in Ländern, in denen der ökologische Landbau noch in den Kinderschuhen steckt, sind die gewonnenen Informationen teilweise sehr lückenhaft und nicht immer repräsentativ. Dies gilt es bei der Interpretation der hier vorgestellten Ergebnisse zu berücksichtigen

Organic farming in selected CEEC after accession to the EU - different market scenarios and their impacts on the economic performance of organic farms

The adaptation of the European agricultural policy is associated with significant changes in support at farm level beginning in 2004 in most of the new member states (NMS). This may affect organic farms even more than conventional farms as agri-environmental policy is gaining weight compared to pre-accession. Some of the new member states even published organic farming action plans to foster the development of organic farming in their countries (Hrabalova et al. 2005). Although the action plans usually contain several tasks aiming at increasing the demand for organic products, area payments stimulating supply are the most important mean to support organic farms. Policy changes in combination with easier trade regimes in the enlarged European Union are supposed to change the situation on organic markets tremendously. The aim of this contribution is to analyse the economic consequences of EU accession for typical organic farms in selected new member states under different scenarios for future organic markets. National data bases for organic farms like FADN data is still scarce in most of the new member states. This is why the typical farm approach has been chosen for the analysis of the economic performance of organic farms in these countries (Häring 2003, IFCN 2005). The selected typical farm models represent most frequent farm types within their countries, so that it will become possible to draw a picture of the economic situation of organic farms in the selected countries before and after accession. Data base for the identification of typical farms were statistical data and expert knowledge. Depending on the structure of organic farming in the countries two to six typical organic farm models were set up in the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Poland and Slovenia. Data collection took place on real farms. The scientists always were accompanied by local experts on organic farming (e.g. advisors), so that farm specific data could be levelled out in such a way, that they represent the numbers of a group of farms. The different farm models mostly show a diversified production structure in all of the selected countries, although with a clear emphasis on crop, or on milk or on beef production. To cover possible future developments of organic farms in the enlarged European Union two very different market scenarios were defined. The first one is a quite optimistic one, which assumes a positive economic development at all levels of society. Domestic demand for organic products will increase, and only surpluses will be exported to the Western European countries. The second one is a scenario, where the economy in general shows a restrained development. Organic farming in the NMS evolves a supplier of raw products for Western European processors and consumers. The expansion of organic production - driven mainly by subsidies - in combination with low wages and production costs in organic production lead to a decline in prices for organic products. Based on the farm data collected for the year 2003 the farm level economic impacts of taking over common agricultural policy and of different market scenarios were calculated and discussed during workshops held in each of the study countries. Time horizon for the analysis is the year 2013 when the adoption of the CAP will be completed. Together with farmers and local experts likely adjustment strategies at farm level were elaborated. Modelling of these adjustment strategies is under way and in a final stage. Different types of support payments, and among these organic farming payments have been, depending on the country, of high importance for organic farms already before accession. Due to EU accession agricultural payment schemes changed completely. Farmers are offered payments from the 1st pillar of the CAP - although at a much lower level than in the former EU member states – and 2nd pillar payments, including all the agri-environmental measures. As a consequence agricultural payments in general and payments for organic farming increased significantly after the EU accession in all of the Central and Eastern European study countries. According to the participants of the workshops realized in all of the study countries higher subsidies are accompanied by an increase in bureaucracy, by additional needs for investments to comply with higher hygienic, agri-environmental and animal welfare standards and increased prices for inputs. Land markets were difficult before accession already, but the availability of land decreased and prices went up after accession. Payment schemes are perceived to be intransparent and lack of confidence in payments was stated hampering investment activities on the farms. But - in most of the study countries mentioned as a positive aspect - demand for organic products as well as knowledge concerning agri-environmental issues among farmers is growing. Farmers and advisors in all of the study countries see the development of domestic markets and particularly the setting up of processing and marketing facilities as the central issue for further development of organic farming in their country (see also Zakowska-Biemans 2005). Final results of modelling farmers adjustment strategies to changed policy and market conditions are almost completed and are expected for the month of February. The results will render information on the impacts of EU accession on the economic performance of organic farms, laying emphasis on adjustment reactions to different political and economic surroundings organic farmers might face in the near future. Literature IFCN (2005): International Farm Comparison Network, FAL, Braunschweig, www.ifcnnetwork.com, retrieved 11.4.05. Häring, A. M. (2003): An interactive approach to policy impact assessment for organic farms in Europe. Organic farming in Europe: Economics and Policy, Vol. 10, Stuttgart-Hohenheim. Nieberg, H., F. Offermann, K. Zander and P. Jägersberg (2005): Report on the farm level economic impacts of organic farming policy and Agenda 2000 implementation. Further development of organic farming policy in Europe with particular emphasis on EU enlargement (QLK5-2002-00917). Braunschweig. Hrabalova, A., J. Handlova, K. Koutna and I. Zdrahal (2005) Final report on the development of organic farming in CEE Accession states with national report cards. Further development of organic farming policy in Europe with particular emphasis on EU enlargement (QLK5-2002-00917). Draft version. Brno. Zakowska-Biemans, S. (2005): Organic markets in Central Eastern European new member states and accession countries. Further development of organic farming policy in Europe with particular emphasis on EU enlargement (QLK5-2002-00917). Draft version. Warsaw

Aufbau eines bundesweiten Praxis-Forschungs-Netzes

Ziel dieses Vorhabens ist es, eine interdisziplinäre repräsentative Struktur- und Situationsanalyse zum ökologischen Landbau in Deutschland vorzunehmen und die Grundlage für die Schaffung eines längerfristigen Praxis-Forschungs-Netzwerkes zu legen. Hierzu sollen in einer bundesweiten repräsentativen Erhebung auf ausgewählten ökologisch bewirtschafteten Betrieben die verschiedenen Produktionsverfahren und Haltungssysteme, die realisierten Vermarktungswege und Kooperationsformen sowie wichtige ökonomische und soziologische Daten in einem interdisziplinären Rahmen detailliert erhoben und analysiert werden