Ausweitung des ökologischen Landbaus in Deutschland – Voraussetzungen, Strategien, Implikationen, politische Optionen

Summary

The main aim of the study was to develop political strategies and measures to support the extension of organic farming in Germany. The work followed a multi-method approach framed by Social Marketing theory. Asking for hindrances, proposals for action and the perception of organic farming and organic food a literature and a discourse analysis, focus groups with consumers and farmers as well as interviews with actors of the value creation chain were done. Based on the results of the different analyses and the already existing policies nine strategies for the extension of organic farming were formulated and checked by a number of criteria. As a central result it turned out that no significant contribution to the extension of organic farming can be achieved with only one strategy. Therefore a strategic concept needs to address several issues simultaneously and must include a mix of supply and demand orientated strategies. It is recommended to closer determine the strategies through a participatory process that should lead to a medium-term concept. Within this process more differentiated political aims concerning the structure of the sector or special organic product markets should be set.