THE SITUATION AND PROSPECTS OF FAMILY FARMS WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO GENERATIONAL TURNOVER IN KARCAG

Abstract

The core aim during the research was to map how farmers assess the current situation and prospects of family farming; what are its greatest benefits and drawbacks? How enticing is it for young people? How possible is a stable future for them? During the research, processing of statistical databases and questionnaires based on literature was completed. Local sole farmers, farmers, family farmers and partnerships in agricultural activity personally completed the questionnaire. The questionnaire of 81 was processed with Microsoft Excel 2016 and IBM SPSS 19. Afterwards, five pieces of professional interview were conducted based on the answers of the questionnaires. As a consequence, the author concludes that family farming has become an accepted form of farming. It is a livelihood for farmers. One of the greatest benefits of family farms is the increased time spent within the wider family, division of labour and reliable workforce, based on farmers' responses. Working together within the family creates value by contributing to rural job preservation and landscape conservation. One of the greatest disadvantages includes vulnerability due to fluctuations in buying-in prices affecting livestock farms. The future of family farms is saddened by the fact that fewer and fewer young people are interested in agricultural activity.

Keywords

• generational turnover
• succession
• agriculture
• aging society
• family farms