Multifunctionality of agriculture and farm diagnostic assessment for CTE: a methodological approach and results from practices carried out in some French departments

Abstract

Since the French agricultural act of July 1999, a new tool was established to promote the multifunctionality of agriculture and to favour the adaptation of farms to social expectations. This tool is a farm contract, called "contrat territorial d'exploitation (CTE)". The CTE is based upon a farm diagnostic assessment. In this paper we offer a discussion about multifunctionality and farm assessment concepts and we stress on the qualities which are required to carrying out a farm diagnostic assessment with the intention of contracting a CTE. Then the farm diagnosis practices, in a sampling of 14 French departments, are assessed.