Towards a different model of agricultural development?[Vers un autre modèle de développement agricole ?]

Towards a different model of agricultural development? At the end of the 1970s, the model of farm development of the post-war decades was quite often called into question by economic crisis, increased energy prices, drop of farm incomes, increase of costs, etc. Certain authors propose a reorientation of agriculture towards a more economical and self-sufficient system with maximum biological added-value, but also equally productive. Others stress the necessity of amplifying the intensification process in order to increase competitiveness, to develop exports and promote agricultural activity, etc. A first part recalls the elements of questioning of the so-called "productivist" agricultural model, that they seem endogenous (e.g. decrease of input productivity), or exogenous (consequences of the crisis ...). A more precise aspect is then analysed more in detail by a simulation study: the impact of an high increase in –or a rationing of – energy on certain types of farms. Finally, the conditions and possibilities of another more economical and more self-sufficient type of farming are examined. Technical innovations (biotechnology etc.) are not able to change alone the farm development model. What are the conditions, social implications and impacts of another type of agriculture, according to what objectives and what project?