Agricultural abandonment and stakeholder strategies in a canton of Haute-Provence

Abstract

Decision-makers are concerned by the afforestation of pastoral and cultivated areas as a consequence of land abandonment. This process is perceived as a symptom of territorial dysfunction. A methodology is proposed for a small region to place the land abandonment in context in relation to the expectations of local parties, to delimit its real extent and to explain it in terms of farmers' and landowners' strategies. We note that the problem is acute in pastoral areas belonging to active local farmers, but is less serious in cultivated areas. It also seems that the sectors suffering abandonment are used for a wide range of activities and are attractive enough to reinforce a somewhat favourable local perception of the process, although this view ignores the medium term risks incurred.