Effect of agreements on agricultural land for the protection of natural areas on basic psychological needs
Some studies question the effectiveness of incentive-based environmental public policies in inducing changes in farmers' practices because of certain psychological mechanisms. Rooted in the theory of self-determination, the existing literature focuses in particular on the phenomenon of crowding out motivation, while neglecting the central concept of the fundamental psychological needs of human beings: autonomy, competence and social relationships. This is demonstrated by an article co-published by Colas Chervier, from the UPR Forêts et Sociétés.
This article explores the basic psychological needs of farmers and their satisfaction in the case of agreements on agricultural land for the protection of natural areas.
These incentive-based public environmental policies provide access to low-rent land subject to environmentally friendly farming practices.
The authors analysed interviews with farmers involved in farmland agreements for the protection of natural areas in a French basin using computer-assisted qualitative textual data analysis methods.
Farmland agreements for the protection of natural areas create a social context that thwarts farmers' desire for autonomy due to a non-inclusive design that extends beyond constraints on practices.
An inclusive design of LFAs and support for the basic psychological needs of competence and relatedness could improve farmers' engagement in action.
Published: 19/09/2023