Publisher's Synopsis
This study analyses the economic health of small farms in several regions of Italy and Portugal where small farms play prominent roles in agricultural production. Surveys are used to characterize the demographic and economic structure of 'typical' small farms in each of these regions and estimates are made of economic returns to farm labour in each of these systems. Attention then is given to the economic impacts of CAP reforms on farm returns and the subsequent effects of possible changes in technologies and commodity mix. These simulations form the basis for easements of the economic efficiency of small farm agriculture and of policy options that can support or discourage small farms.
