Greek farms viability for business financial support

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine the economic profile of Greek farms according to their viability level and the financing regime linked to their investments, through the programme "Agricultural Development-Restructuring of the Countryside 2000-2006". At the outset, the Cluster Analysis methodology is applied and a typology is developed of farms incorporated into thr Regional Operational Programmes. The typology is determined by five economic parameters (family labour, gross income, variable costs, fixed production costs and subsudies) pertaining to the farm's current status as described in the business plans. According to the results, there are three farm clusters with a different viability profile analysed in this paper. Finally, these results and the subsequent reccomendations of this research will help the policy makers to plan an effective business financial support sceme in the agriculture sector.