Publications > Cahiers (English)> N° 14, 1st term 1990

• [The disparities between plains and moutains in dairy production], G. Bazin
• [Time allocation for farm men and women], J.-L. Brangeon, G. Jégouzo, with the assistance of B. Roze
• [The development double language. Young farmers training in Burkina-Faso], Arouna P. Ouedraogo
• [The Chayanov generation. Family farm, markets and industrialization for Russian economists in the early 20th century], A. Stanziani

Les disparités plaine-montagne en production laitière
[The disparities between plains and moutains in dairy production]

G. Bazin

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 14, 1st term 1990, pp 5-32

Abstract : On the basis of the 1985 RICA, this analysis of the economic comparisons between dairy farms located in the mountains and those on the plains tries to evaluate how "natural" handicaps may manipulate economic results in terms of productivity, income and saving capital funds. The comparison between plain and mountain farms is based on their structure intensification levels, economic performance, working capital, debt, income and subsidies. The first results confirm the importance of the average disparities in productivity and income. In order to produce a unit of added value, a mountain farm needs 47,5 % land and 47,5 % work more and 31 % extra capital ; only the inputs are 16,5 % more productive due to the extensivity of the systems. At the end, the farm income is 30 % inferior (40 % without subsidies). Theses large inequalities are twice more due to the weight of small scale dairy farmers than to the difference of results. As a matter of fact, the more extensive, less endebted, mountain farms get an income equivalent to those of similar farms on the plains producing the same quantity. These results are due to total costs being inferior to 15-25 % and to subsidies which are five to seven times greater. The principal economic handicap restricting the development of dairy farms comes from the fact that they need 20 to 30 % extra capital to produce one litre of milk. This analysis shows that a policy of dairy extensification could be justified if the land is obtained at the lowest price possible.

Key-words : France, regional economy, mountain areas, dairy specialization, differences of productivity, economics results, extensification.

L'allocation du temps des agriculteurs et des agricultrices
[Time allocation for farm men and women]

J.-L. Brangeon, G. Jégouzo, with the assistance of B. Roze

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 14, 1st term 1990, pp 33-72

Abstract : On the basis of inquiries and recordings made in dairy and/or pig farms in Finistère (Brittany), the question arise to know how the behaviour of farm men and women in allocation of their time is determined, for this comportment is strange : long work years in farm are associated with low profitability. The proposed interpretation takes into account :

1) the combination of "self employed work" with capital within farm ;

2) determinants of time allocation between agricultural use, the only professional opportunity considered, and three other alternative uses (housework, regeneration, free time).

Analysis draws attention to decisive effect exerted in arbitrages by the fixity in agricultural employment, the nullity of farm work's marginal cost, the importance of housework, the weakness of free time's demand, lastly the rather low propensity to simplify techniques and methods of agricultural production.

Key-words : Finistère (Brittany), dairy farms, pig farms, farm labour, domestic labour, time allocation.

Le double langage du développement. La formation des jeunes agriculteurs au Burkina-Faso
[The development double language. Young farmers training in Burkina-Faso]

Arouna P. Ouedraogo

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 14, 1st term 1990, pp 73-94

Abstract : This analysis of the system of Formation des jeunes agriculteurs (FJA) of Burkina-Faso is based on extensive research in two Centres of FJA. The study reveals the difficulties in bringing professional agricultural training into operation. The various strata of peasants still educate their children in primary schools which were inherited from the colonial period rather than use the FJA centers which are intended for them by widely depreciated, because they bring them no gain. Three factors seem to justify the rejection of professional agricultural training :

1) the worsening economic position of the farms, due to the climatic hazars and the low remuneration of agricultural products ;

2) the contents of training, based on manual work ;

3) the use of common languages (the writing of which is socially poorly spread).

This rejection benefits primary school where teaching in French makes it the main way for the drift from the land and allows social rise.

Key-words : Burkina-Faso, professional agricultural training, peasantry, education, social mobility.

Génération Tchaïanov. Exploitation familiale, marchés et industrialisation chez les économistes russes du début du siècle
[The Chayanov generation. Family farm, markets and industrialization for Russian economists in the early 20th century]

A. Stanziani

In : Cahiers d'Economie et Sociologie Rurales, n° 14, 1st term 1990, pp 95-116

Abstract : The paper presents the thought of three Russian agrarian economists of the first quarter of our century : Tchelintsev, Makarov and Bruckus, choosen among a broad list of Russian specialists of that time. The three authors deal with some unsolved problems in Chayanov's model : regional differentiation in peasant family farm organization and dynamics ; the influence of credit, trade and industrial development on peasant economy ; the role of local, national, international market as well as of the "institutional ties" in the transformation of rural society.

Key-words : Russia, USSR, agricultural economics, family farms, peasant economy, economic thought history.