Support and viability issues: Lithuanian farmers' verdict
2015
Jurkenaite, N., Lithuanian Inst. of Agrarian Economics, Vilnius (Lithuania)
One of the most challenging issues of EU agriculture is viability of farmers’ and family farms. These farms used to play a major role in new member states. However, the last decades are characterized by the significant decrease in the number of farmers’ farms. The paper deals with the issues of these farms’ viability and the role of support. A literature review on viability concept and indicators justify the selection of socio-economic viability criteria for the survey. The findings are based on the results of Lithuanian farmers’ opinion survey. The analysis of the selected socio-economic criteria of viability shows that crop production farms are characterized as the most viable. According to the survey results, the farms with less than 30 ha, and the farms operated by farmers aged 60 and older belong to the most vulnerable group. These farms are non-viable in the long-run. The risk estimation of staying in agricultural business if support is abolished for viable and non-viable farms shows dependence of farm’s behaviour and viability status.
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