Regional development of the agro-business sector in Belgium: The case of the leader plus programme in Flanders

Sustainable development of rural areas has become a major issue in the European CAP. Leader+ is one of four initiatives financed by EU structural funds designed to help rural actors consider the long-term potential of their local region. This paper is the result of a study on the possible future developments in the "Meetjesland", a Flemish rural area close to the Dutch border (Viaene et al., 2004). The agro-business complex-approach was used to gain insight in the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and treats agriculture is facing in this area. An indepth study of past developments and present situation of the agricultural sector and its policy context makes it possible to suggest policy recommendations that can overcome constraints, develop potentials and stimulate new tendencies towards multifunctionality and diversity. First, the agribusiness complex-approach is explained. Next, the extended policy context having a direct or indirect impact on the agricultural sector is described. After studying the current situation of the agricultural economy in the region, projections of future agricultural developments are made. This approach gives a firm basis to formulate policy recommendations to support a sustainable regional development of the agro-business sector in the Leader+ region 'Meetjesland'.