Research

The Austrian Rural Development Program (LE Program) 2014-20 is being evaluated in terms of its achievement of the specified objectives. Priority area (SPB) 3A of LE 14-20 focuses on increasing the competitiveness of primary agricultural producers (Part 1). The evaluation examines the types of projects (VHA) that support the processing and marketing of agricultural products and the participation of agricultural holdings in food quality schemes. Evaluation question 6 in accordance with Annex V, EU Regulation 808/2014 is examined: "To what extent have the interventions under the rural development program contributed to increasing the competitiveness of the supported primary producers through their better integration into the food chain by means of quality schemes, increasing the added value of agricultural products, promoting sales on local markets and short supply chains, producer groups and organizations, and industry associations?" Building on part 1), the evaluation question on the evaluation topic “market orientation” of the Austrian CAP Strategic Plan GSP23-27 is examined: "To what extent has the GSP contributed to the market orientation of agricultural and forestry businesses through the production and processing of quality products and improved vertical cooperation along the value chain?"

The “Klimriko” project investigates how and which risks in linked to local extreme weather events were communicated to the population using the example of the flood in September 2024 and how these communication strategies affect the measures taken by different target groups (e.g., age groups, occupational groups). The project defines theory-based criteria for the quantitative-qualitative, web-based content analysis of the discourse on the 2024 flood (e.g., problems, causes, responsibilities, solutions, options for action) in order to present the current situation of climate risk communication. The identified strategies of climate risk communication will be tested in a quantitative experimental study. “Klimriko” is intended to provide insights into activating, needs-oriented climate risk communication, which can be used for recommendations for action and the design of a best-practice campaign for communicating climate risks. This interdisciplinary approach is intended to strengthen the skills of climate risk communicators in practice.

The aim of the project is to provide a comparative analysis of the most important quality assurance systems and standards in organic agriculture in the D-A-CH market (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) as a solid database for the evaluation and desired positioning and strategy development of the AMA organic seal. For this purpose, a comprehensive data basis is generated on the basis of publicly available literature and subjected to a content analysis. Key differentiating features will be discussed and identified through literature research and contact with standard operators and inspection bodies. The comparison and comprehensive documentation will be used to prepare a clear summary, also in graphic form. Only the following branches of production are included in the analysis: - Arable farming incl. vegetable cultivation - Livestock farming, limited to -- Cattle (dairy cattle, calves/calf rearing and fattening) -- Pigs (piglet production and pig fattening) -- Poultry (laying hen farming, chicken and turkey fattening).