Multi-Criteria Analysis Of Soybean Production In Diversified French South-West Farms.

The aim of this study was the assessment of the environmental, economic and social effect of soybean insertion in the French south-west cropping systems. A multi-criteria evaluation was carried out, with the evaluation tool SYSTERRE (R). Five farms were studied and the choice took into account several criteria: rotation types, introduction rate of soybean on the farm, soil and climate. The results allowed confirming and quantifying two soybean environmental strengths: low greenhouse gas emissions and pesticides moderate use. The economic study showed, in the 2012 price context, that irrigated maize performed better than soybean in situations where water resource was not limited. On the opposite, under hydric constraint situations, soybean was advantaged. Simulations were then made taking into account several price scenario (low price of agriculture commodities, increase of inputs prices, high prices of protein rich commodities ... ). They showed that, soybean would become economically attractive in many situations. These results lead to expect an increase of the French south-western soybean surfaces in the coming years.