Towards a cost-benefit assessment of farm structural change in European mountain regions

摘要: Farm structural change increases the productivity and efficiency of farming. In policy debate, however, there is still a strong attachment to highly fragmented structure family farms, especially in countries with high support for agricultural sector. these regions, somewhat “romantic” small farms debate may also be interpreted as public preference concomitant non-use values production. As consequence, cost-benefit analysis including economic gains from farm well small-scale, traditional agriculture give new perspective on this debate. We here combine results discrete choice experiment Swiss mountain region simulation an agent-based model same case study region. compare willingness pay local people survival reduced average income that impeded change. Results imply WTP higher than opportunity costs. However, differentiation into types shows productive full-time farmers would have bear highest costs exceed by far. discuss result respect further research.