Scientific investigation of key aspects of Measure 73-01: Investments in agricultural production

Intervention 73-01, “Investments in Agricultural Production,” is one of the key measures of Austria’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027. With a funding volume of approximately EUR 650 million Euros and a total of 13 eligible funding categories, it supports agricultural holdings in making investments aimed at enhancing farm competitiveness, modernization, and environmental, climate, and animal welfare objectives. In the course of preparing the CAP Strategic Plan, several national needs were identified that are to be addressed through investment support. These include increasing the productivity of agricultural holdings, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural production and in rural areas, and improving animal welfare. Previous evaluations and scientific analyses of the measure have focused on economic aspects and structural developments in agriculture related to investment support. Environmental, climate-related, and social impacts, by contrast, have so far been considered only to a limited extent and mostly indirectly. Against this background, the objective of the planned scientific study is to provide a comprehensive assessment of the measure “Investments in Agricultural Production.” First, a structural analysis and farm typology will be used to identify and describe key structures, trends, and farm types associated with the measure, as well as to examine qualitative aspects and the advisory context related to it. Building on this, a counterfactual analysis of the measure’s primary economic effects will be carried out, together with an analysis of its secondary impacts on the environment, climate, and animal welfare. Finally, the findings will be brought together in a decision-oriented, holistic assessment, from which recommendations for the further development of the measure will be derived.