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FARM DIVERSIFICATION AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
Author(s) -
Gasson R.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of agricultural economics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.157
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1477-9552
pISSN - 0021-857X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1477-9552.1988.tb00575.x
Subject(s) - diversification (marketing strategy) , agriculture , accounts payable , business , rural development , farm income , agricultural diversification , agricultural economics , small farm , rural area , economic growth , economics , finance , geography , payment , political science , marketing , archaeology , law
Under a new policy initiative, grants will be payable for the setting up of ancillary businesses on or adjacent to farms in the UK. While this initiative is to be welcomed, it is suggested that more could be done to develop the rural economy as a whole. Farm diversification grants, modelled on previous farm capital grant schemes, are focused on a narrow range of activities, for which demand is likely to be limited, and are most appropriate for the larger farm. They imply that farmine will continue to be the main activity and run counter to current trends. The goals of rural development and farm income support might be pursued more effectively by encouraging the creation in rural areas of off‐farm employment, unrelated to agriculture, and suitable for members of families on low‐income farms.