Comparative analysis of agriculture and rural policies in Västerbotten and Hordaland using the POMMARD-model

The Towards a Policy Model of Multifunctional Agriculture and Rural Development project explored the complex interrelationships between policies, the multiple functions of farming, the development of rural regions and the quality of life of their inhabitants. It demonstrated that the same policy interventions in different regions could lead to varying outcomes depending on the local economic, social and environmental contexts.This paper builds on previous work by Johnson et al. and Bryden et al. It further explores these relationships and evaluates the extent to which social, economic and environmental variables are affected by the implementation of policy in different jurisdictions. We compare Hordaland in Norway with Västerbotten in Sweden. Results support the conclusions of Bryden et al. and sustain the notion that Hordaland agriculture is more ‘multifunctional’ than Västerbotten and stress the link between rural and agricultural policies, and quality of life in rural regions.