The role of family life-cycle events on persistent and transient inefficiencies in less favoured areas

Family farms dominate less favoured areas (LFAs) within Europe, and family life-cycle conditions, such as succession and retirement, affects how these farms adapt to changing circumstances. Past studies of on-farm technical efficiency have not directly addressed these conditions, but they may explain why some farms are more efficient than others, especially as the farm family model dominates most farming systems. Motivated by the UK's withdrawal from the EU and the debate around establishing replacement support policies, we apply a multi-step model to measure both transient and persistent inefficiencies using a panel of LFA cattle and sheep farms in Scotland over the period 2003–2020. We find a greater prevalence of persistent compared to transient inefficiency, which suggests that structural problems still exist. Farms with planned succession are found to have higher persistent efficiencies, whereas farmers nearing retirement have lower levels. Other factors, such as dependence on subsidy, off-farm activity and classification as severely disadvantaged tend to compound these lower efficiencies. We argue that life-cycle conditions should not be ignored in studies of farm technical efficiency. Within the scope of framing a new agricultural policy for UK administrations, these results inform the debate on support for LFAs, as well as the promotion of support towards generational renewal to ease transition across farm family life-cycle events.     

Will future land based food and fibre production be in family or corporate hands? An analysis of farm land ownership and governance considering farmer characteristics as choice drivers. The New Zealand case

Family farming in various guises has been the dominant ownership and governance system in primary production over recorded history. This outcome has been controlled by farmers and their families, possibly due to tradition, opportunities, personal characteristics, skill sets and the nature of primary production. Of these, it is hypothesised that the farmers’ personal characteristics play a major part in the choice, and continuance, of current ownership and governance systems. Equally as important, they, and therefore the land ownership system, play a part in the efficiency of production systems and improvement of the biological and production environment.The benefits and difficulties of commonly used ownership systems in Western society are reviewed. Using a sample of New Zealand (NZ) farms, a comparison of the managers’ features for owner/operator, partnership and corporate based systems is presented. There were significant differences in many variables including the farmers’ age, education, number of children, asset levels, years on the current farm, and similar, but more importantly, the farmers in the ownership system groups had differing personal characteristics. Significantly, despite the corporate based farms employing more professional assistance, the profit levels were similar across ownership systems leaving the farmers’ characteristics the main factors correlating with system choice. However, governance systems per se are only marginally correlated with production systems and efficiency.As successive generations of farmers are unlikely to have different characteristics, and corporate based systems continue to exhibit similar profit levels, relatively simple family based systems will continue to dominate farm land ownership and control. The trends suggest family farms will increase in size and involve family conglomerates facilitating the management of larger, and in many cases multiple, farms. While currently there are few differences in biological efficiency between ownership systems, given the efficiency benefits of size and scale, this could well change with the increase of family conglomerates. Relative to increasing corporatisation, the continuance of family based ownership and governance will also be of benefit to the environment. When developing land policies, these highlighted relationships should be taken into account. This study is a first to consider personal characteristics relative to ownership.     

什么样的农场主在经营中国的家庭农场

本文基于全国31省在2014—2018年监测数据,对家庭农场的农场主的年龄、教育水平等特征及变迁进行分析。研究表明,农场主性别呈"男九女一"特征;农场主平均47岁;农场主学历教育水平方面,50%～60%为初中及以下,至少1/3为高中(中专或职高),10%左右为大专及以上(含本科和研究生);八到九成农场主接受再教育培训,平均每年接受3类培训;农场主平均有5～7年规模经营经历,但越来越多的没有规模经营经历和经历短的人成为农场主;近六成农场主有1种以上从业经历,他们至少有2种经历,最多的有6到9种经历;八成农场主是本村的,九成是本乡的。本文认为下一步应完善农业劳动力市场,健全农业职业教育培训体系,加快农业职业化步伐。     

家庭农场经营效率及其差异分析*——基于山东234个示范家庭农场的调查

[目的]文章通过对山东省家庭农场经营效率的实证分析,旨在厘清技术、规模对农场经营效率的促进作用,通过比较分析找出各类型家庭农场短板,针对性地提出政策建议。[方法]以山东234个家庭农场数据为例,运用DEA模型对家庭农场全样本及纯种植、种养结合、种植兼休闲、种养兼休闲4类家庭农场的经营效率进行了测算和分解。[结果]首先,家庭农场综合技术效率仅为0. 170,纯技术效率和规模效率分别为0. 235和0. 786,规模效率相对充分纯技术效率不足是经营效率较低的主要原因;其次,种养结合类农场发展势头较好,纯种植类家庭农场发展滞后且综合技术效率和纯技术效率最低,种养兼休闲类农场的规模效率最低。[结论] 4类农场差异明显,应降低生产技术使用门槛,引导农场主参加职业教育,提升纯种植类农场纯技术效率,同时出台相关政策,实现土地流转的降费提效,改善种养兼休闲类农场规模效率。     

Tactical responses to seasonal conditions in whole-farm planning in Western Australia

In dryland agricultural systems, efficient farm management requires a degree of flexibility according to variations in climate from year to year. Tactical adjustments to the mix of farm enterprises can capitalize on good growing conditions and minimise losses under poor growing conditions. In this paper, a discrete stochastic programming model of dryland wheat-sheep farms in Western Australia is used to identify optimal tactical adjustments to climate and to calculate the value of these tactical adjustments. The model, MUDAS, includes nine discrete season types with a wide range of options for tactical adjustments in each. In the standard model, optimal tactical responses increase expected net cash surplus by approximately 22% relative to a fixed or inflexible strategy. In most season types, changes to the long term farm strategy are made on less than 10% of the farm area, although in some seasons over 25% of the farm can require adjustments to the enterprise selected. The benefits of flexibility are not evenly distributed across different season types but occur predominantly in the best and worst seasons. The magnitude of benefits is affected differently by different commodity prices. Benefits of flexibility are due to capitalizing on knowledge about the greater volatility of profits from cropping than from livestock production. Deterministic models and even stochastic models which don't include activities for tactical adjustments miss this key feature of the system.     

土地整治促进家庭农场适度规模经营研究——基于伊犁州和塔城地区调研

土地整治已成为坚守耕地红线、改善耕地质量、促进家庭农场适度规模经营、推进农业供给侧结构性改革的关键切入点。文章的研究目的在于系统地分析伊犁州和塔城地区国家重大土地开发整理项目对促进现代家庭农场适度规模经营发展的现状、风险以及存在的困境,并为今后土地整治项目区家庭农场的适度规模经营和科学管理提供有益的借鉴和参考。研究方法主要运用问卷调查法、统计分析法和对比法分析法。结果表明,土地整治后项目区耕作条件、耕作方式和耕作水平有较大程度地提高,大量劳动力节省的同时促进了农户大幅增收,家庭农场规模经营模式多样化;土地整治项目区耕地流转价格大幅上涨,流转方式呈现多元化,农户的流转意愿有很大程度的提高;农户对整治后农场规模经营的满意度较高,但也面临一定程度的风险和困难。得出以下结论,家庭农场经营面临着农产品市场价格的不稳定波动;当地政府的补贴力度较弱,补贴资金缺少相关的审计和监察;土地整治的立项审批复杂,工程设计、监管及后期管护存在一定的疏漏;土地流转方式不合理,经营农场的投资资金来源有限;农户的文化程度普遍较低等方面的困境。在此基础上,本文最后提出了建立和完善全国统一的农产品价格的动态实时监测体系,设立农产品价格的合理波动区间;加大当地政府补贴力度和采取差别化的激励措施;适当延长土地流转年限;长期加强农业技术培训;"因地制宜"发展农场适度规模,注重完善和配套基本的农业社会化服务体系等方面的改革措施。     

Comparative Efficiency of Family and Corporate Farms: Does Family Labour Matter?

We examine the comparative efficiency of family relative to corporate farms, using FADN data for the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania and Spain. We estimate a non‐parametric non‐separable farm production function, and derive efficiency scores for both family and corporate farms. We decompose efficiency into two distinct sources – organisational differences and management capabilities. We find evidence for organisational efficiency gains from family farming, relative to corporate farming, and these appear to increase with family involvement. However, with regard to management capabilities, family farms do not compare so favourably. Furthermore, family involvement does not seem to have any systematic effect on the efficiency derived from management capabilities. Our findings suggest that further investigation of the way family farms employ and build management capabilities is needed to substantiate any ‘superiority’ claims.     

Technology choice and efficiency on Australian dairy farms*

Deregulation of the Australian dairy industry, specifically the removal of price subsidies to ‘market milk’, as well as ongoing drought in many dairy regions, has placed considerable pressure on farm cash income and a search for ways in which dairy farms can be made to operate more efficiently. Using traditional farm survey data and a unique biannual data set on farm technology use, this paper estimates a stochastic production frontier and technical efficiency model for dairy farms in New South Wales and Victoria, determining the relative importance of each input in dairy production, the effects of key technology variables on farm efficiency, and overall farm profiles based on the efficiency rankings of dairy producers. Results show that production exhibits constant returns to scale and although feed concentration and the number of cows milked at peak season matter, the key determinants of differences in dairy farm efficiency are the type of dairy shed used and the proportion of irrigated farm area. Overall farm profiles indicate that those in the ‘high efficiency group’ largely employ either rotary or swing‐over dairy shed technology and have almost three times the proportional amount of land under irrigation.     

国有林场改革成效评价——职工获得感的统计分析

利用国有林场职工监测数据,基于物质维度和精神维度,从改革后职工自身的收益情况、职工对林场的整体评价、职工对林场管理方式的评价等方面,采用比较分析法和主成分分析法对国有林场改革职工获得感进行分析。研究结果表明:国有林场改革后职工获得感有所提升,改革进程与职工获得感呈强正相关性,改革促进了林场的可持续发展。但林场整体基础设施环境一般,场部相对较好,管护站点则较差。同时,在领导班子建设方面应注重自主、公平,仍需提高领导水平。     

Is there a future for small farms in developed countries? Evidence from the French case

This research aims to identify the specific characteristics of small farms in developed countries and the factors that influence their survival and growth. Using the case of France, we employ statistical and econometric analysis of data from the Farm Structure Survey (N = 70,000) for the period 2000–2007. The principal findings suggest that small farms are no more likely than other farms to employ “alternative” strategies to the predominant model of increasing farm size, nor are they more likely to diversify on‐farm activities or operate under quality‐labeled production systems, with the notable exception of organic agriculture. However, where small farms do adopt or practice these activities, they are seen to have a favorable effect in ensuring their survival and growth. In contrast, we are unable to conclude that pluriactivity of farm households has a positive impact on the survival of small enterprises. The effect of geographical location on small farms is largely expressed in their concentration in mountainous or disadvantaged regions. Overall, the trajectory of small farms is marked by farm exit, principally as the result of farmers retiring at the end of their careers. The small farm sector is also revitalized by both larger farms declining and thus being reclassified as small farms, as well as the progressive entry into agriculture of small farm holders whose income was previously derived largely off‐farm.     

甘肃省家庭林场经营效率比较分析

基于2018年甘肃省集体林改监测课题组实地调查数据,运用DEA模型对4种类型家庭林场的经营效率进行比较分析。结果表明:甘肃省家庭林场经营效率整体偏低,不同类型间存在较大差异,经营效率相对较高的是林下养殖型和多功能型家庭林场;各类型家庭林场投入变量都存在不同程度的冗余;家庭林场的经营效率和经营规模关联度不高,更多受技术因素影响。相对而言,种养结合型家庭林场经营面积在0～6.67 hm~2和20～33.33 hm~2,多功能型经营面积在6.67～10.31 hm~2和24.45～25.80 hm~2,能发挥集约优势或规模优势。因此,提出加强对家庭林场主的技术培训;鼓励有实力的家庭林场进行规模化、集约化发展;鼓励种植型家庭林场等拓展经营内容;打造多种功能经营,打造品牌特色等建议。     

新型农业生产经营主体生产效率比较研究——基于信阳市调研数据

[目的]比较分析信阳市新型农业生产经营主体生产效率,为信阳新型农业生产经营主体选择合适的经营方向提供参考。[方法]基于2016年对信阳市478个新型农业生产经营主体的微观调研数据,采用DEA方法测算不同类型农业生产经营主体的生产效率。[结果]在小麦、玉米及生猪生产上,家庭农场的综合效率比较高,分别是0.93、0.90及0.82;在油料与蔬菜生产上,龙头企业的综合效率比较高,综合效率值均为0.75。在小麦与生猪的生产上,专业合作社的综合效率值最低,均值分别为0.60与0.73;在玉米的生产上,专业大户的综合效率最低,为0.68;在油料与蔬菜的生产上,家庭农场的综合效率最低,分别为0.49与0.47。[结论]新型农业生产经营主体生产效率比较分析较为客观。     

家庭农场：我国农业现代化建设的路径选择——基于家庭农场与传统小农户、雇工农场的比较

本文通过梳理家庭农场等相关概念,认为家庭农场作为一种新型农业经营主体,具有家庭经营、适度规模、集约化生产、商品化经营、农业收入为主等五个基本特征;并通过比较家庭农场、传统小农户和雇工农场三种经营主体,发现家庭农场既把现代农业要素融入到了传统意义上的农户家庭经营中,又避免了雇工农场大规模流转土地带来的解放劳动力过多、企业运行风险累及农民、农作精细化程度不够等问题,是农业从传统农业走向现代农业的路径选择。     

土地经营规模对测土配方施肥技术应用的影响研究——基于家庭农场监测数据的观察

研究目的:在土地规模化和农业绿色发展的背景下,从全国和地区层面分析家庭农场土地经营规模对测土配方施肥技术应用的总体影响,发现其应用概率显著提高了具体土地规模区间。研究方法:运用IV方法对LPM和Probit模型进行估计。研究结果:(1)土地经营规模对农场应用测土配方施肥技术具有显著正向影响。土地经营规模每增加100亩,测土配方施肥技术应用概率平均提高2.10%。(2)政府倡导的适度规模经营与测土配方施肥技术的推广应用并不存在矛盾。相对于土地经营规模75亩以下的农场,当土地经营规模达到110亩后,农场应用测土配方施肥技术的概率会显著提高;110～225亩与225亩以上的农场应用测土配方施肥技术的概率无显著性差异。(3)相比于东北地区的样本农场,土地经营规模对测土配方施肥技术应用的正向影响效应在西部地区的样本农场中更明显。研究结论:促进土地向家庭农场等适度规模经营主体流转,注重不同地区测土配方施肥技术推广的差异性。     

陕西省商山林场发展问题及对策

天然林资源保护工程实施以来,国有林场发展困难重重。通过实地调查研究分析了陕西省商山林场存在的问题及困难,提出国有林场应加强天然林保护工程资金管理,推行全员聘任制,进一步加强森林管护工作,积极调整产业结构,实行林木资产核算制度等建议。该研究对于国有林场在天然林资源保护工程背景下如何走出困境和持续发展具有一定的理论和实践指导价值。     

东北地区粮食型农户家庭农场经营风险认知的影响因素分析

［目的］东北地区作为维护国家粮食安全的“压舱石”,准确而系统地掌握东北地区粮食型农户家庭农场经营风险认知水平,为政府部门精准实施粮食型农户家庭农场配套扶持政策提供参考。［方法］文章利用黑龙江、吉林、辽宁3省301个粮食型农户家庭农场调研数据,运用交叉列表和多元有序logit模型分析家庭农场经营风险认知水平及其影响因素。［结果］（1）6312%的粮食型家庭农场有一定风险认知能力,土地经营面积在333~1333hm2（50~200亩）与1333~3333hm2（200~500亩）的家庭农场风险认知处于中等水平, 3333hm2（500亩）以上家庭农场经营风险认知低; （2）玉米种植型家庭农场风险认知水平高于水稻种植型家庭农场; （3）年龄、是否村干部、劳动力数量、土地经营规模、是否有自然灾害、农产品市场价格波动、是否“三品一标”认证、金融支持、农推人员技术指导和新型经营主体间合作稳定对东北地区粮食型农户家庭农场经营风险认知有影响。［结论］应培养家庭农场主个人特质,鼓励支农惠农政策向规模适度的家庭农场倾斜,从流程入手提高家庭农场风险防范能力。     

国有林场贫困测定与差异性研究

基于2008—2017年国家林业局对中国28个省(市、区)国有林场的调研数据,运用等价性检验的方法从地理位置、经济状况、可持续经营和发展能力层面上对国有林场的贫困测度和差异性进行实证分析。研究结果表明:国有贫困林场不一定位于贫困县,并且与国有非贫困林场之间的差异逐渐缩小;国有贫困林场区域异质性强,经济发展水平较低;国有贫困林场在森林资源基础、人力资源基础、基础设施和生产条件等方面的可持续发展能力较差。因此,提出了相关林业部门应该鼓励国有贫困林场发展特色林产品;加大扶贫资金投入;改善职工生计条件;加强资金管理意识等政策建议。     

Farm diversification strategies in northwestern Spain: Factors affecting transitional pathways

The present paper identifies strategies that farmers have undertaken in northwestern Spain, an area characterized by late structural adjustment. For this study, a survey of over 559 farms has been conducted in four areas representative of different specializations and rural situations, from marginal to productive intensification. Farms have been categorized according to social and productive characteristics through a multivariable analysis. Four basic behaviors have been identified and connected with farm types and rural areas using a multiple correspondence analysis. These basic strategies were defined depending on whether investments have been made on farms to increase or intensify production and whether new on- or off-farm diversification activities have been introduced. This analysis allows us to assess transitional pathways for the future and to assume some consequences of farm behavior in connection with structural adjustments. Thus far, empirical evidence shows that the nature and main drivers of the diversification process are different from those in northern European areas. At the same time, a significant level of farm abandonment is registered.     

家庭农场、农民创业与制度环境相关性研究

通过对学术界相关研究文献进行梳理可知,当前对家庭农场的研究多基于微观经济组织视角,将农民创业与家庭农场结合的研究尚属空白;此外,还存在对家庭农场及农民创业制度环境定义模糊、对农民创业及家庭农场制度环境的定量研究较为缺乏等不足.从创业经济学视角研究家庭农场发展以及对家庭农场型创业制度环境进行定量分析可成为理论与实践研究的重要方向。     

我国家庭农场发展现状及其对策研究

家庭农场是在我国农村现有基础上建立的,是新型的农业生产主体,是实行农业现代化的金钥匙。家庭农场的出现,既增加农民的收入,又可以实现农业生产的产业化。文章运用文献分析和实地调研相结合的研究方法,分析了当前我国家庭农场的发展现状,即我国家庭农场呈现出经营规模不同、经营品种不同、经营效益较好、具有市场竞争力等明显特征。家庭农场的发展面临大好机遇,但是也存在土地产权认识不明晰、资金短缺、劳动力缺乏等瓶颈问题。并提出明确家庭农场认定标准、引导土地向家庭农场流转、农民的技术培训、完善农业保险、政府给予一定的资金政策等建议,旨在为各地区制定发展家庭农场政策提供参考。