Would an ecological reconversion program for the Andalusian mountain olive groves be economically efficient

This paper analyses the efficiency of a possible agri-environmental scheme aimed at promoting the partial or complete abandonment of the agricultural production in mountain olive groves in Andalusia in order to enhance the provision of environmental public goods (biodiversity and soil functionality). The results obtained show that this scheme would generate positive net social gains (public benefits greater than social costs) only if the scheme is focused on low-yield olive farms and includes low to moderate payments (125 and 500 €/ha·year for partial and total abandonment, respectively).