The Commercialisation of subsistence farms: Evidence from the new member states of the EU

Fredriksson, Lena, Bailey, Alastair, Davidova, Sophia M., Gorton, Matthew, Traikova, D (2016) The Commercialisation of subsistence farms: Evidence from the new member states of the EU. Land Use Policy, 60 . pp. 37-47. ISSN 0264-8377. (doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.10.009)

Abstract

For selected regions of five EU Member States (Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovenia), this paper examines the determinants of the commercialisation of (semi)subsistence farms. While subsistence farming has become an important feature of the EU, there is a lack of evidence on its spatial distribution, importance and reasons for persistence. The analysis utilises cross-regional survey data and qualitative interviews. Results suggest the absence of a subsistence poverty trap driven by either farmer perceptions or transactions costs although capital endowment appears to play a significant part. On the other hand the degree of market engagement depends on access costs, which vary with location, households’ productive assets, specialisation, and risk propensity. Implications for land use policy are discussed.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.10.009
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
Divisions:	Faculties > Social Sciences > School of Economics
Depositing User:	Lisa Jones
Date Deposited:	03 Nov 2016 12:24 UTC
Last Modified:	29 May 2019 18:07 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/58368 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)