Understanding farmers’ responses to CAP reform
New Medit, Vol 14, n. 3, (September 2015), pp. 29-39
Language: EN
Jel classifications: Q12, Q18
The 2014-2020 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform defines new rules for farmers, including regionalisation, crop diversification and the ecological focus area (EFA). This paper aims to evaluate the farmers’ intention to modify their behaviour in response to the CAP reform using the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). A questionnaire was submitted to 211 Italian durum wheat producers. Two behaviours were analysed: 1) the change in the durum wheat acreage, and 2) the maintenance of at least 7% of the arable land as an EFA. A structural equation model (SEM) technique was employed. The TPB model explains, respectively, 52% and 55% of the intention variance. Subjective norms affect the intention to change the durum wheat acreage, while attitude drives the intention to maintain at least 7% of the arable land as an EFA. Implications for policy makers and producers are discussed.
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), durum wheat, Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), intention, ecological focus area
