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The Commercialisation of Subsistence Farms: Evidence from the New Member States of the EU

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Matthew GortonORCiD

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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.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Fredriksson L, Bailey A, Davidova S, Gorton M, Traikova D

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Land Use Policy

Year: 2017

Volume: 60

Pages: 37-47

Print publication date: 01/01/2017

Online publication date: 22/10/2016

Acceptance date: 10/10/2016

Date deposited: 13/10/2016

ISSN (print): 0264-8377

ISSN (electronic): 1873-5754

Publisher: Pergamon Press

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.10.009

DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2016.10.009

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