Sociological approach to discontinuation dynamics within the Flemish farming sector (PHD ARTHUR)

What are the dynamics of growth, contraction, continuation and discontinuation on Flemish farms and what are their causes and consequences? This is the central research question of a sociological doctoral study on farm closures. For decades the agricultural sector has been characterized by a strong decrease in the total number of farms. Specifically, this study answers three questions: (1) within which scale/size categories of Flemish farms are there growth, contraction, continuation or discontinuation of farming activities? (2) Which personal considerations and business economic factors determine the development path (growth, contraction, continuation or discontinuation) of Flemish farms? (3) What is the impact of different decisions regarding farm development on the well-being of Flemish farmers?

We use both quantitative and qualitative research techniques. We create a clear longitudinal time series from an analysis of data from individual companies between 2001 and 2018, so that the changes in terms of scale (growth, contraction, continuination, discontinuation) become clear. The evolutions at the Flemish level are further investigated in a geographically delimited case study. The second and third research questions are answered through in-depth interviews and ethnographic work with farmers.

To thoroughly predict the Flemish agricultural sector of the future, a better understanding of the changes in the number of farms and the associated mechanisms is needed. By building knowledge around the question of what kind of developments take place in which type of companies, and what the determining factors are at a personal and company level, this study contributes to discussions about ongoing agricultural developments in Flanders and their context and consequences. This research also raises awareness of concrete problems that farmers face and how to think about remedying them in order to achieve a sustainable and robust Flemish agricultural sector.