Assessing the Impact of Pluriactivity on Sustainable Agriculture. A Case Study in Rural Areas of Beotia in Greece |
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Authors: | Christina Giourga Angeliki Loumou |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Environmental Studies, University of Aegean, Mytilene, Lesvos, 81100, Greece;(2) Department of Agricultural Product Technology, School of Agricultural Technology, Technological Education Institute of Kalamata, Antikalamos, Kalamata, 24100, Greece |
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Abstract: | Pluriactivity of farms, or part-time farming, is a common feature of agriculture in all countries regardless of their socioeconomic
system and level of development. Currently, pluriactivity is related to the values of sustainable agriculture. The objective
of this study is to delineate those specific characteristics of pluriactive farms that contribute to sustainable agriculture.
In rural areas of Boetia in Greece, a socioeconomic survey was carried out on 114 farms to determine the types of farming
applied. The results demonstrate that pluriactivity is a stable component of the agricultural structure in the rural areas
of Boetia. It is widespread in plains, but its presence is more important in mountainous and semimountainous areas. The choice
of young farmers is to opt for pluriactivity. Farm size does not differ between pluriactive and full-time farms. Pluriactive
and full- time farms use the same level of input and get the same output for the same type of crop. However, pluriactive farmers
under the same land-productive conditions are oriented toward a more extensive farming system, managing their land with crops
that need less inputs. Considering these findings, it can be claimed that pluriactivity can contribute to diminishing the
demand on natural resources in favored (level and irrigated) areas, to continue agricultural production in unfavorable (mountainous
and semimountainous) areas, and to help the sustenance of the rural population. |
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Keywords: | Pluriactivity Family farming Sustainable agriculture Greece Type of farming |
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