Information needs and thematic priorities of the organic food and farming sector In France

Summary

A large survey was performed among French actors committed to organic food and farming (OF&F) to identify their information needs. This survey highlights the need for increased information dissemination. This analysis identifies four publics with specific needs. Structuring variables include professional experience, degree of commitment to OF&F and professional category. Legal and economic information about food quality and processing is generally of interest to senior actors with low-level needs. On the contrary, junior actors actively involved in the developmental and educational aspects have the greatest needs over a wide range of themes. Thematic priorities also depend on professional categories and types of information. While technicians and farmers require scientific and technical information on plant production issues, only young farmers give priority to animal production issues. These results allow OF&F actors to reflect on the improvement of the overall device of information dissemination