Greek Farm Households: Income inequality, poverty and distributional impact of farm income

This paper examines the incidence of income inequality and poverty, and the impact of farm income on inequality. A detailed typology of farm households (FHs) is developed, based on Household Budget Survey micro-data. Research findings reveal enormous variations among households with respect to income inequality and poverty. While Marginal- and Pluriactive- FHs do not seem to have an income problem, this is not the case for Farm Households. Poverty is a widespread phenomenon among Retired FHs. Farm income and non-farm income generate a combined stabilization effect, mitigating the overall inequality within households. Policy implications of these findings are discussed in the context of welfare aspects of agricultural policy.farm households, income inequality, poverty, distributional impact

The modernization process in Greek Agriculture: The case of investment aid

The present study focuses on certain critical aspects of the agricultural modernization, in the course of implementation of the investment aid scheme in Greece. Although the investments made under the scheme, contributed to the significant reorganization of the farms as well as to employment creation, serious deficiencies were detected in the way the scheme has been designed and implemented: lack of programming logic serving specific targets and of suitable mechanisms for information and back-up of farmers on technico-organizational matters, as well as non-incorporation of the principles of programming, monitoring and assessment. The way the scheme was implemented, exemplifies the subventionist logic of income assistance, and underlines some standing characteristics in Greek agricultural policy. Finally, alternative priorities of investment policy application are examined.Investment aid, agricultural policy, farm modernization,

Australia’s Preferential Trade Agreements: a quick guide

This Quick Guide provides a brief background to Australia’s preferential trade agreements (PTAs; often referred to as free trade agreements), in particular what they are, what they cover and commentary on whether they have been effective in increasing Australia’s wider economic welfare. What are Preferential Trade Agreements? A PTA is essentially a contract between two or more countries. Once ratified, a PTA is a legally binding treaty to liberalise access to the parties’ markets for goods, services and investment. At first glance, PTAs appear to go against a key principle of the multilateral trading system, the Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) principle. In brief, the MFN principle stipulates that a country cannot ordinarily discriminate between its trading partners. However, a closer look reveals that PTAs can be accommodated within the multilateral trading system, if they comply with the rules

Light-matter interaction of a quantum emitter near a half-space graphene nanostructure

The Purcell factor and the spontaneous emission spectrum of a quantum emitter (QE) placed close to the edge of a graphene half-space nanostructure is investigated, using semi-analytical methods at the electrostatic regime. The half-space geometry supports an edge and a bulk surface plasmon (SP) mode. The Purcell factor of the QE is enhanced over eight orders of magnitude when its emission energy matches the resonance energy modes, for a specific value of the in-plane wave vector, at a separation distance of $5\,$nm. The different transition dipole moment orientations influence differently the enhancement factor of a QE, leading to large anisotropic behavior when positioned at different places above the half-space geometry. The field distribution is presented, showing clearly the excitation of the SP modes at the edge of the nanostructures. Also, we present the spontaneous emission spectrum of the QE near the half-space graphene nanostructure and show that strong light-matter coupling may emerge. When a QE with a free-space lifetime of $1\,$ns is placed at a distance of $10\,$nm away from the edge of the graphene half-space, a Rabi splitting of $80 \,m$eV is found. Our contribution can be used for designing future quantum applications using combination of QEs and graphene nanostructures.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figures, submitted in Phys. Rev.

Risk and Income Risk Management Issues for Organic Crops in Greece

Drawing upon a comparative case study of organic and conventional farming in Western Greece, the aim of this study is threefold: firstly, to explore the organic and conventional farmers’ profile through a factor analysis. Secondly, to assess the economic viability of organic cultivation with respect to profitability and risk behaviour, through a Monte Carlo stochastic simulation model. Thirdly, to discuss the necessity for additional income insurance schemes. Research findings indicate that the organic cropping system currently stands out as the most economically viable alternative under the assumption of the existing payments; without payments, however, conventional agriculture would be preferred by all farmers, regardless of their degree of risk aversionorganic crops, income variability, risk analysis, SERF, agricultural policy,

Decentralization Process of Rural Development Policy in Greece

The decentralization process of national administrative systems, the continuous evolution of structural policies in the EU and the increasing reinforcement of the second Pillar of the Common Agricultural Policy, create an entirely new setting in the field of rural policy making and implementation. A significant decentralization process of agricultural and rural development policies is taking place in Greece, by means of the establishment of a novel institutional framework and reallocation of administrative competencies. Drawing upon a case study of the farm modernization scheme, a pivotal rural development policy measure, this study aims at critically assessing the decentralization process of rural policy making and delivery in Greece within the new institutional and administrative setting. Research findings indicate that despite remarkable decentralization efforts, rural development in Greece seems to maintain its primarily state-emanated design and implementation, in a centralized logic. Long standing top-down and sectoral orientation in the formulation of this policy still holds, permeating the attitude of a number of actors, whose traditional role is challenged in the new setting. The redistribution of responsibilities and the mere multiplication of competent authorities do not necessarily advance the policy outcomes. What is needed as well is a genuine delegation of competencies and resources, coupled with a renewed awareness of integrated policies from the actors involved at all administrative levels.

FARM DECISION-MAKING IN A MULTIFUNCTIONAL CONTEXT: THE CASE OF CONVENTIONAL AND ORGANIC FARMING IN KERKINI DISTRICT, GREECE

Multifuncionality has become a central concern at both conceptual and empirical levels. In this study, a comparative evaluation of the economic performance of conventional and multifunctional farms (mainly organic farms) was conducted for Lake Kerkini region (North Greece) with the use of mixed integer non-linear programming method. Economic performance was evaluated in terms of farm income, resource allocation, production level etc. The results indicate that multifunctional farms have overall better economic performance and young farm managers are keener to adopt multifunctional farming than the older ones.Greek farming, Multifunctionality of farming, Farm, Farm decision making and age of farmers, Agribusiness, Community/Rural/Urban Development, Farm Management,

Support and protection of Greek Agriculture: inter-temporal developments and sectoral diversification

This paper aims at determining the level of support of Greek agriculture. The calculations are performed on commodity basis over the period 1989-2006. By using an adapted OECD methodology, research findings indicate that the overall support level of Greek agriculture is similar to that of EU though after 2002 diverging trends are observed. A redistribution of the various parts of support is ascertained, whereas livestock production is more supported than crop production. The ratio of market price support to the total value of production seems to explain variations in support levels between Greece and the EU. The need for a critical reappraisal of OECD methodology is stressed.support, protection, agricultural policy, Greek Agriculture, OECD