Author: Miranda García, Blanca Casares (AEIDL), and Bérénice Dupeux (Ecorys)
On 22 October 2024, the Research and Innovation unit of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development organised a Clustering Workshop in Brussels, Belgium, on the topic of “Models and tools supporting agricultural policies”. The event brought together several Horizon-funded EU projects, aiming to evidence base policy using simulation models
Among the participating projects, Tools4CAP delivered a presentation on the development and application of modelling tools for evidence-based policy-making in the drafting of National Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plans. The presentation highlighted key challenges, such as data availability, model complexity, and the integration of economic, environmental, and social factors. Models like AGMEMOD, CAPRI, and the eco-scheme farm simulation tool have been used to assess policy scenarios, including eco-schemes and payment redistributions.
Bérénice Dupeux (Ecorys), Tools4CAP’s project coordinator, and Ana González from Wageningen Economic Research, underscored the critical role of ongoing stakeholder engagement and active participation in validating results, along with the importance of transparency in model development. They also stressed the need to strengthen technical expertise, particularly to provide better opportunities for young modellers. Their presentation highlighted the importance of simplification of complex data outputs to ensure that modelling results are taken on board by policy-makers. Additionally, piloting new tools, such as experimental economics, opens the door to innovative methods that can refine outcomes and improve decision-making processes.
Dupeux and González presented an overview of the tools (quantitative models) covered by the project, including large-scale models (AGMEMOD, CAPRI, GLOBIOM, etc); as well as small-scale models (Eco-Scheme Farm simulation tool, Farm income FADN-based calculation tool, IMF-CAP, SiTFarm tool, others); and experimental economics.
The presentation also identified gaps in existing models, particularly in addressing farm profitability and social sustainability. While large-scale models like AGMEMOD and CAPRI effectively assess market impacts, they often fail to capture structural changes at the farm level.
When looking for potential solutions to fill the gaps, Tools4CAP members highlighted the value of stakeholder involvement in improving the acceptance of model results and addressing potential modelling deficits through more qualitative approach.
This event brought together a diverse range of projects funded under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. Notable among these are AgEnRes, STEP UP, ACT4CAP27, TRADE4SD, MATS, BATModel, BrightSpace, and LAMASUS.