My research interest is focussed on two main areas: a) perception and acceptance of agricultural and food policy by farmers and non-farmer citizens b) farm (household) income.
Perception and acceptance of agricultural and food policies
European agricultural policy, including Swiss policy, is evolving from a policy focussing on farmers and production to a policy for the food system. It recognises the increasing need to involve all actors in the food system to address current challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change and environmental degradation. Particular attention must be paid to the increasing societal tensions resulting from the failure to achieve agri-environmental policy objectives, which are often closely linked to income and social objectives (both on the part of producers and consumers).
My research interest is the perception of food and agricultural policy by citizens and farmers and how these views can be taken into account by policy makers. I would like to show ways in which necessary agricultural policy reforms can be implemented in a democratically legitimised way. A particular focus is the acceptance of political measures for more sustainable food production by farmers and citizens, including regulations, economic incentives, nudges and information tools.
Farm (household) income
Economically viable farms are a prerequisite for sustainable and resilient agricultural and food systems. Securing an adequate income for farmers is also one of the most important goals of agricultural policy from the perspective of Swiss farmers and citizens. Agricultural income includes market income and financial transfers from agricultural policy measures aimed at supporting agricultural income or compensating farmers for loss of profit, for example due to the provision of public goods or difficult production conditions. In addition to the farm income, income analyses should also take into account the consumption possibilities of the farm family, i.e. the household income including off-farm income. When assessing the impact of agricultural policy on farm family incomes, it is essential to take a holistic view of all three aspects - income level, income variability and income distribution.
My research interest is the analysis of farm (household) income and the effect of agricultural policies on income level, distribution, variability and resilience.