Socio-economic research complements the technical research done at Wageningen UR and gives it added value. We focus on agriculture, horticulture and fishery, management of rural areas, agribusiness and the production and consumption of food. Our research assists governments and businesses in their entrepreneurial choices, management of production chains, spatial planning, environmental performance, natural resource management, European agricultural policy and world trade.
In the search for a sustainable production process, farmers and fishers face the challenge of trying to balance different technological and economic requirements. Our research therefore focuses on outlining the consequences of different operational concepts for the entrepreneurs, their income, and the environment - People, Profit and Planet. We examine the economic and marketing issues that are related to product quality and safety, and to working conditions in the various sectors.
Much of the research contributes to the policy decisions that are taken almost daily in the agrarian sector. A good understanding of the effects of these decisions on the individual farms is necessary. To do this we collect and analyse data on the income of farmers, horticulturalists and fishers, as well as other business data that is relevant to current policy themes. These enable assessments to be made, for example of differences in energy-, veterinary medicine- or mineral use between the various branches or types of business.
An important specialism is the analysis and study of processes of social change, market developments and the way in which entrepreneurs react to possible future scenarios. We look at attitudes and behaviour of consumers and the public, the innovative capacity of the branch involved, as well as the extent to which legislation allows for changes to take place
Within the international context we not only focus on development economics and rural development; there is increasing interest in crisis and disaster management. Researchers at Wageningen UR also examine the ethical and social implications of production systems in relation to environmental impact and animal welfare, of course, with quality of life in mind.
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