Original scientific paper

Sociodemographic Reproduction of Family Farms in Istra County

Anita Silvana Ilak Peršurić ; Institute of Agriculture and Tourism, Department for Economics, Organization and Rural Development, Poreč, Croatia

Abstract

In the article the author presents the results of the survey research
about sociodemographic reproduction of family farms in Istria. Social
and demographic reproduction means household reproduction as
community, as well as the reproduction of farm labor force and family
farm as production-economy unit, and farm transfer from the householder to successor. Sociodemographic reproduction of family
farms is determined by internal (family, successors' presence and
profession) and external factors (agricultural policy, labor market etc.). Family farms can reproduce themselves or may disapeared
(»put down«) as production-economy unit which depends on the
successors' (non)presence and their professional status. The main
procedure of data collection used in the research was the structured
questionnaire which was applied in face-to-face contact with members
of the family farms. The data was collected on the simple random sample of the peasant family holdings (111 holdings) with no less than
one household member full-time employed on a family farm. The
univariant and bivariant analysis for data processing was used. On the
bases of the results, the author concludes about social reproduction
for researched family farms and also for all farms in Istria. From the
polled farms 26,2 percent have no chance to reproduce themselves
through the next family generation (8,1 had no successors, while 18,1
percent had a successor non-farmer, not interested to take over the
farm). Among the farms with a successor, concerning objective (successors' profession and employment) and subjective reasons (preference to rake over and work on the farm), it is realistic to predict that only 45 percent of agricultural farms can reproduce themselves (successor farmer, major agricultural income), and 54,9
percent might be reproduced as mixed non-agricultural farms. In the
rest of 14,4 percent farms the succession is too early because the householders are young people.

Keywords

family farms; sociodemographic reproduction; successor; Istria

Hrčak ID:

35580

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/35580

Publication date:

14.4.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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