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Subsistence Farming, Incomes, and Agricultural Livelihoods in the New Member States of the European Union

Davidova, Sophia M., Fredriksson, Lena, Gorton, Matthew, Mishev, Plamen, Petrovici, Dan Alex (2012) Subsistence Farming, Incomes, and Agricultural Livelihoods in the New Member States of the European Union. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy, 30 (2). pp. 209-227. ISSN 0263-774X. E-ISSN 1472-3425. (doi:10.1068/c1195r) (KAR id:31045)

Abstract

Drawing on primary survey data and the literature on sustainable livelihoods, we analyse agricultural households in five new member states of the EU which possess a large subsistence and semisubsistence farming sector. The study indicates that the contribution of subsistence farming to household incomes is significant. The profiling of agricultural households, using cluster analysis, reveals four main types which differ significantly in terms of engagement in nonmarketed production. The poorest households form the largest cluster. They possess low natural, physical, and social capital, operating small-scale and undercapitalised farms with little nonagricultural income. The main EU Common Agricultural Policy instruments are not well suited to respond to the specific needs of these poor subsistence farmers. © 2012 Pion Ltd and its Licensors.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1068/c1195r
Uncontrolled keywords: Agricultural households, Central and Eastern Europe, Rural development, Subsistence farming, Sustainable livelihoods, agricultural production, agricultural worker, Common Agricultural Policy, European Union, farming system, household income, rural development, subsistence agriculture, Central Europe, Eastern Europe
Subjects: H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Department of Marketing, Entrepreneurship and International Business
Depositing User: Sophia Davidova
Date Deposited: 27 Sep 2012 15:51 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 10:08 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/31045 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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