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You will find below abstracts of my working papers and titles of my work in progress. My next presentation is planned for the 19th of November where I will present my ongoing work titles Behavioral insights into the adoption dynamics of fungus-resistant grapevine varieties at the Agroeconet SGA (see here for more details)
Will collective action make resistant grapevine varieties sparkle in Champagne? A discrete choice experiment
Gaëlle Leduc, Laure Latruffe, Adeline Alonso Ugaglia
Stage: Under Review in Ecological Economics
Abstract:
Fungus resistant grapevine (FRG) varieties have the potential to substantially decrease fungicide use in viticulture, a sector heavily reliant on pesticides. Literature exploring winegrowers' intentions to adopt these varieties and possible leverages for facilitating their currently limited integration, is blatantly lacking. This study aims at filling the gap by analyzing winegrowers' willingness to plant and manage FRG varieties either collectively or individually. To do so, we conduct a discrete choice experiment that includes technical support and possibility to share labour and material at different stages of FRG varieties integration. Our results indicate so far that winegrowers are willing to receive both ex-ante and ex-post planting support collectively. We also find that winegrowers with lower revenues are more likely to share material for the planting of FRG varieties but not the spraying material.
Do public subsidies help farmers to reduce their pesticides use? Evidence from a meta-analysis
Gaëlle Leduc, Douadia Bougherara, Laure Latruffe, Thi Thanh Mai Ha
Stage: Under Review in AEPP
As governments aim to reduce pesticide use, subsidies serve as key policy instruments to incentivize farmers to change their behaviour and ultimately lower their use of pesticides on their farm. However, subsidies' effectiveness remains unclear due to their diversity and the diversity of context in which they are implemented. To date, no study has systematically synthesized the evidence on their potentially varied impacts on pesticide use through a change of farmers' behaviour. This article addresses this gap by conducting a meta-analysis of empirical studies in the EU and other developped countries, investigating the effects of subsidies on pesticide reduction. We classify subsidies into narrow and broader categories from 192 models extracted from 40 studies. We assess results using probit meta-regressions and a qualitative appraisal adapted to the field of empirical agricultural economics, thereby making a methodological contribution to evaluate risk of bias. Results reveal contrasting effects between production and environmental subsidies. Furthermore, subsidies targeting the adoption of single-farm practices by farmers are less effective in reducing pesticide use than those that target adoption of farming systems or a bundle of practices. We recommend designing subsidies that support i) pro-environmental behaviour and ii) target holistic farming approaches or reward the additionality of coherent combined practices to reduce pesticide use. Finally, we identify key areas where further research is needed to improve the design and evaluation of pesticide-reduction policies.
Gaëlle Leduc, Laure Latruffe, Adeline Alonso Ugaglia
Stage: Under Review in Ecological Economics
Abstract:
Fungus resistant grapevine (FRG) varieties have the potential to substantially decrease fungicide use in viticulture, a sector heavily reliant on pesticides. Literature exploring winegrowers' intentions to adopt these varieties and possible leverages for facilitating their currently limited integration, is blatantly lacking. This study aims at filling the gap by analyzing winegrowers' willingness to plant and manage FRG varieties either collectively or individually. To do so, we conduct a discrete choice experiment that includes technical support and possibility to share labour and material at different stages of FRG varieties integration. Our results indicate so far that winegrowers are willing to receive both ex-ante and ex-post planting support collectively. We also find that winegrowers with lower revenues are more likely to share material for the planting of FRG varieties but not the spraying material.
Do public subsidies help farmers to reduce their pesticides use? Evidence from a meta-analysis
Gaëlle Leduc, Douadia Bougherara, Laure Latruffe, Thi Thanh Mai Ha
Stage: Under Review in AEPP
As governments aim to reduce pesticide use, subsidies serve as key policy instruments to incentivize farmers to change their behaviour and ultimately lower their use of pesticides on their farm. However, subsidies' effectiveness remains unclear due to their diversity and the diversity of context in which they are implemented. To date, no study has systematically synthesized the evidence on their potentially varied impacts on pesticide use through a change of farmers' behaviour. This article addresses this gap by conducting a meta-analysis of empirical studies in the EU and other developped countries, investigating the effects of subsidies on pesticide reduction. We classify subsidies into narrow and broader categories from 192 models extracted from 40 studies. We assess results using probit meta-regressions and a qualitative appraisal adapted to the field of empirical agricultural economics, thereby making a methodological contribution to evaluate risk of bias. Results reveal contrasting effects between production and environmental subsidies. Furthermore, subsidies targeting the adoption of single-farm practices by farmers are less effective in reducing pesticide use than those that target adoption of farming systems or a bundle of practices. We recommend designing subsidies that support i) pro-environmental behaviour and ii) target holistic farming approaches or reward the additionality of coherent combined practices to reduce pesticide use. Finally, we identify key areas where further research is needed to improve the design and evaluation of pesticide-reduction policies.
Comparison of perceptions between producers and researchers on criteria used to adopt crop protection practices: a Q-methodology study
Lefebvre M., Latruffe L., Leduc G., Raineau Y., Alonso Ugaglia A.
Stage: Under review in JAE
Achieving ambitious pesticide reduction goals calls for collaboration and shared vision among multiple stakeholders. This study evaluates whether this is the case in three French pesticide-intensive production sectors: vine-growing, orchards and fruits & vegetables farming. To do so, it uses the Q-method to assess farmers’ decision-making criteria when selecting crop protection strategies, taking stock of technical, economic, and organizational constraints, as well as health and environmental impacts. It also compares these criteria with the perspectives of researchers and advisors on farmers’ priorities. After combining a factor analysis with a fractional multi-logit model accounting for factor loadings, the findings reveal four distinct profiles across the sample: a competitiveness-oriented approach; a focus on reducing health and environmental impacts; a risk management perspective; and an integrated vision combining multiple priorities. Being a farmer, advisor, or researcher significantly influences the likelihood of belonging to one profile or another. However, close interactions between farmers, researchers, and advisors help bridge differences in priorities, fostering more closely aligned perspectives on crop protection strategies. These results point to key indicators that researchers and advisors could leverage to better inform farmers about alternative crop protection methods, ultimately supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Behavioral insights into the adoption dynamics of fungus-resistant grapevine varieties
Gaëlle Leduc, Lucca Zachmann, Robert Finger
Stage: Working paper
Lefebvre M., Latruffe L., Leduc G., Raineau Y., Alonso Ugaglia A.
Stage: Under review in JAE
Achieving ambitious pesticide reduction goals calls for collaboration and shared vision among multiple stakeholders. This study evaluates whether this is the case in three French pesticide-intensive production sectors: vine-growing, orchards and fruits & vegetables farming. To do so, it uses the Q-method to assess farmers’ decision-making criteria when selecting crop protection strategies, taking stock of technical, economic, and organizational constraints, as well as health and environmental impacts. It also compares these criteria with the perspectives of researchers and advisors on farmers’ priorities. After combining a factor analysis with a fractional multi-logit model accounting for factor loadings, the findings reveal four distinct profiles across the sample: a competitiveness-oriented approach; a focus on reducing health and environmental impacts; a risk management perspective; and an integrated vision combining multiple priorities. Being a farmer, advisor, or researcher significantly influences the likelihood of belonging to one profile or another. However, close interactions between farmers, researchers, and advisors help bridge differences in priorities, fostering more closely aligned perspectives on crop protection strategies. These results point to key indicators that researchers and advisors could leverage to better inform farmers about alternative crop protection methods, ultimately supporting more sustainable agricultural practices.
Behavioral insights into the adoption dynamics of fungus-resistant grapevine varieties
Gaëlle Leduc, Lucca Zachmann, Robert Finger
Stage: Working paper
Understanding how farmers adopt agricultural innovations requires moving beyond binary measures of adoption toward a dynamic perspective. Using panel survey data from 2019, 2022, and 2025, this study examines the adoption of fungus-resistant grapevine varieties in Switzerland. Building on Pannell’s framework of adoption stages, we analyse both the trajectories farmers follow over time and the profiles of adopters, with particular attention to behavioural factors such as risk preferences and non-cognitive skills. Unlike most studies relying on cross-sectional or self-reported adoption stages, our analysis uses direct behavioural measures and controls for unobserved heterogeneity. Preliminary results show that aggregate increases in planted area mask a substantial share of disadopters. We also find that trialing a variety frequently leads to later disadoption, suggesting uncertainty in early learning phases. Finally, farm and farmer characteristics explain adoption dynamics more strongly than behavioural variables.