Farmers' motivational profiles for providing outdoor access to pigs

Although in the minority, outdoor pig farming systems are experiencing a resurgence of interest in several countries such as France, systems that could contribute to the transition towards sustainable agriculture. Understanding farmers' motivations for adopting sustainable practices is crucial for transforming agricultural systems. Hence, this study aimed at identifying the motivational profiles of French farmers who chose to raise pigs on farms offering outdoor access to their animals. A total of 20 semi-structured interviews, lasting 1.25-2.25 h, were conducted among French farmers who raised pigs with various modalities of outdoor access (from simple courtyards to free-range farms). The topics addressed during the interviews included a historical overview, a description of the farm and practices, as well as opinions about the impact of outdoor access on farmers, animals, production and economic performance, environment, and society. Following a thematic analysis, farmers' motivational profiles were elaborated using multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis. The study revealed three motivational profiles guiding farm management and system choices: The "Tradition" profile concerned farmers mainly motivated by relational values, emphasizing cultural heritage, landscape, and preservation of local breeds, and adopting free-range systems. The "Entrepreneurship" profile concerned farmers mainly driven by instrumental values, combining economic opportunities, innovation, and societal expectations, typically favouring indoor farms with outdoor courtyards. The "Naturalness" profile concerned farmers mainly animated by intrinsic and relational values, focusing on animal welfare, natural behaviours, environmental sustainability, and strong human-animal relationships, often expressed in full outdoor or mixed systems. These profiles demonstrate that outdoor access is not a single technical choice but an expression of diverse moral, cultural, and economic logics. Values and motivations shaped concrete farm decisions, influencing system type, management practices, and adoption of agroecological or innovative approaches. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing the diversity of farmers' motivations when designing support programmes across different agricultural contexts. Overall, tailored advisory services and training that align with underlying values could support diverse pathways while facilitating the adoption of outdoor pig farming systems viewed as more sustainable and acceptable agricultural systems.