Agriculture

Semi-subsistence Farming

The small farm debate has taken on special significance with the last two enlargements of 2004 and 2007, more than tripling the number of subsistence and semi-subsistence farmers to 11 million in the EU-27. As testimony to mounting interest in this area, some 140 people attended a seminar entitled ‘Semi-subsistence farming in the EU: current situation and future prospects’, in Sibiu, Romania, on 13-15 Oct , 2010.

Discussions aimed to contribute to a better understanding of the profile of semi-subsistence farmers’ needs and opportunities; and how semi-subsistence farms interact in society and with the environment.

A major background paper on semi-subsistence farms in the EU was prepared for the seminar, and can be downloaded here [PDF]

To see more about the seminar on semi-subsistence farms click here.