Estimation des coûts de production en phytosanitaires pour les grandes cultures. Une approche par la régression quantile

The objective of this paper is to propose an econometric methodology aimed at estimating production costs in plant protection for field crops, using farm accounting data. Following an introductory and brief overview of the institutional framework underlying a strategy to reduce in the medium run the use of pesticides in France, we present the proposed methodology based on quantile regression and applied to plant protection costs for field crops produced by French farmers. Then, we present and discuss the estimated cost results obtained on a per hectare or output unit basis and based on the structural indicators of French farm holdings such as production areas, types of farming and economic size. Finally, we discuss the empirical validity of those estimated cost results and suggest extending the application of the proposed quantile regression to other European countries.