IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i20p14696-d1256924.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Farmers’ Perception on Contract Farming in the Post-COVID Era: Empirical Study in Greece

Author

Listed:
  • George Malindretos

    (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou Str., 176 76 Kallithea, Greece)

  • Eleni Sardianou

    (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou Str., 176 76 Kallithea, Greece)

  • Maria Briana

    (Department of Economics and Sustainable Development, Harokopio University of Athens, 70 El. Venizelou Str., 176 76 Kallithea, Greece)

Abstract

Contract farming (CF) as a sustainable practice has expanded rapidly, bringing numerous benefits to both the agribusiness industry and farmers, as well as the broader economy; CF is also considered a vehicle to tackle the challenges in sustainable development due to the serious effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, little attention has been paid to CF schemes in Greece. To address this evidence gap, the current study aimed to outline the socioeconomic profile of Greek farmers and how it is related to their perspective on CF in the post-COVID era. Primary data were collected in the agricultural area of central Greece, Thessaly, with a structured questionnaire containing three sections: demographics, awareness of the CF concept, and farmers’ perceptions toward CF. The results indicate that 60.7% of the respondents are unaware of CF. Demographic and economic variables such as gender, years of experience, and income impact Greek farmers’ attitude toward CF. In addition, factor analysis results reveal that economic benefits and social, technological, and environmental challenges and risks are associated with CF. We suggest that researchers and policymakers interested in the development of CF in Greece should consider the heterogeneity of the agricultural workforce for the development and successful implementation of policies related to CF. Educational programs towards increasing farmers’ awareness and sufficient understanding of the practical issues of CF are also required.

Suggested Citation

  • George Malindretos & Eleni Sardianou & Maria Briana, 2023. "Farmers’ Perception on Contract Farming in the Post-COVID Era: Empirical Study in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:14696-:d:1256924
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/20/14696/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/20/14696/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alexandros Gkatsikos & Dimitrios Natos & Christos Staboulis & Konstadinos Mattas & Michail Tsagris & Apostolos Polymeros, 2022. "An Impact Assessment of the Young Farmers Scheme Policy on Regional Growth in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Porter, Gina & Phillips-Howard[malt], Kevin, 1997. "Comparing contracts: An evaluation of contract farming schemes in Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 25(2), pages 227-238, February.
    3. Nguyen Hung Anh & Wolfgang Bokelmann & Ngo Thi Thuan & Do Thi Nga & Nguyen Van Minh, 2019. "Smallholders’ Preferences for Different Contract Farming Models: Empirical Evidence from Sustainable Certified Coffee Production in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(14), pages 1-26, July.
    4. Wei Zhang & Long Gao & Mohammad Zolghadr & Dawei Jian & Mohsen ElHafsi, 2023. "Dynamic incentives for sustainable contract farming," Production and Operations Management, Production and Operations Management Society, vol. 32(7), pages 2049-2067, July.
    5. Warning, Matthew & Key, Nigel, 2002. "The Social Performance and Distributional Consequences of Contract Farming: An Equilibrium Analysis of the Arachide de Bouche Program in Senegal," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(2), pages 255-263, February.
    6. Rehber, Erkan, 2018. "Contract Farming in Practice: An Overview," Research Reports 290069, University of Connecticut, Charles J. Zwick Center for Food and Resource Policy.
    7. Mai Chiem Tuyen & Prapinwadee Sirisupluxana & Isriya Bunyasiri & Pham Xuan Hung, 2022. "Perceptions, Problems and Prospects of Contract Farming: Insights from Rice Production in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-22, September.
    8. Eko Ruddy Cahyadi & Hermann Waibel, 2016. "Contract Farming and Vulnerability to Poverty among Oil Palm Smallholders in Indonesia," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(5), pages 681-695, May.
    9. Sukhpal Singh, 2002. "Multi-national corporations and agricultural development: a study of contract farming in the Indian Punjab," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 14(2), pages 181-194.
    10. Bellemare, Marc F., 2012. "As You Sow, So Shall You Reap: The Welfare Impacts of Contract Farming," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 40(7), pages 1418-1434.
    11. Achilleas KONTOGEORGOS & Fotios CHATZITHEODORIDIS & Efstratios LOIZOU, 2016. "Adaptation strategies for the Greek agricultural cooperatives during the economic crisis," Agricultural Economics, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 62(1), pages 26-34.
    12. Bellemare, Marc F. & Bloem, Jeffrey R., 2018. "Does contract farming improve welfare? A review," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 259-271.
    13. Juliana D. B. Gil & Avery S. Cohn & John Duncan & Peter Newton & Sonja Vermeulen, 2017. "The resilience of integrated agricultural systems to climate change," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(4), July.
    14. Anette Ruml & Matin Qaim, 2021. "Smallholder Farmers’ Dissatisfaction with Contract Schemes in Spite of Economic Benefits: Issues of Mistrust and Lack of Transparency," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(7), pages 1106-1119, July.
    15. Fischer, Sabine & Wollni, Meike, 2018. "The role of farmers’ trust, risk and time preferences for contract choices: Experimental evidence from the Ghanaian pineapple sector," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 67-81.
    16. Shinya Ikeda & Ronnie S. Natawidjaja, 2022. "The Sustainability of Contract Farming with Specialized Suppliers to Modern Retailers: Insights from Vegetable Marketing in Indonesia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, March.
    17. Phil Simmons & Paul Winters & Ian Patrick, 2005. "An analysis of contract farming in East Java, Bali, and Lombok, Indonesia," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 33(s3), pages 513-525, November.
    18. Girma, Jony & Gardebroek, Cornelis, 2015. "The impact of contracts on organic honey producers' incomes in southwestern Ethiopia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 259-268.
    19. Arumugam, Nalini & Arshad, Fatimah Mohamed & Chiew, Fook C. Eddie & Mohamed, Zainalabidin, 2011. "Determinants of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (FFV) Farmers’ Participation in Contract Farming in Peninsular Malaysia," International Journal of Agricultural Management and Development (IJAMAD), Iranian Association of Agricultural Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 1-7, June.
    20. Labros Sdrolias & Anastasios Semos & Konstantinos Mattas & Efthimia Tsakiridou & Anastasios Michailides & Maria Partalidou & Dimitrios Tsiotas, 2022. "Assessing the Agricultural Sector’s Resilience to the 2008 Economic Crisis: The Case of Greece," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-29, January.
    21. Viet Hoang, 2021. "Impact of Contract Farming on Farmers’ Income in the Food Value Chain: A Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Study in Vietnam," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, August.
    22. Aristotelis Batzios & Achilleas Kontogeorgos & Fotios Chatzitheodoridis & Panagiota Sergaki, 2021. "What Makes Producers Participate in Marketing Cooperatives? The Northern Greece Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-15, February.
    23. Abebe, Gumataw K. & Bijman, Jos & Kemp, Ron & Omta, Onno & Tsegaye, Admasu, 2013. "Contract farming configuration: Smallholders’ preferences for contract design attributes," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 14-24.
    24. Caroline Dubbert & Awudu Abdulai & Sadick Mohammed, 2023. "Contract farming and the adoption of sustainable farm practices: Empirical evidence from cashew farmers in Ghana," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(1), pages 487-509, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Stavros Kalogiannidis & Simeon Karafolas & Fotios Chatzitheodoridis, 2024. "The Key Role of Cooperatives in Sustainable Agriculture and Agrifood Security: Evidence from Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-20, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Celina Schelle & Benno Pokorny, 2021. "How Inclusive Is Inclusive? A Critical Analysis of an Agribusiness Initiative in Kenya," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-17, October.
    2. Viet Hoang, 2021. "Impact of Contract Farming on Farmers’ Income in the Food Value Chain: A Theoretical Analysis and Empirical Study in Vietnam," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, August.
    3. Viet Hoang & Vinh Nguyen, 2023. "Determinants of small farmers' participation in contract farming in developing countries: A study in Vietnam," Agribusiness, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 39(3), pages 836-853, July.
    4. Bellemare, Marc F. & Bloem, Jeffrey R., 2018. "Does contract farming improve welfare? A review," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 259-271.
    5. Iffat Abbas Abbasi & Hasbullah Ashari & Amin Jan & Ahmad Shabudin Ariffin, 2021. "Contract Farming towards Social Business: A New Paradigm," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    6. Angelo Frascarelli & Stefano Ciliberti & Gustavo Magalhães de Oliveira & Gabriele Chiodini & Gaetano Martino, 2021. "Production Contracts and Food Quality: A Transaction Cost Analysis for the Italian Durum Wheat Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-12, March.
    7. Marc F. Bellemare, 2018. "Contract farming: opportunity cost and trade†offs," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 49(3), pages 279-288, May.
    8. Mai Chiem Tuyen & Prapinwadee Sirisupluxana & Isriya Bunyasiri & Pham Xuan Hung, 2022. "Stakeholders’ Preferences towards Contract Attributes: Evidence from Rice Production in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, March.
    9. Khan, Muhammad Fawad & Nakano, Yuko & Kurosaki, Takashi, 2019. "Impact of contract farming on land productivity and income of maize and potato growers in Pakistan," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 28-39.
    10. Temesgen Gelata, Fikiru & Han, Jiqin & Kipkogei Limo, Shadrack, 2024. "Impact of dairy contract farming adoption on household resilience to food insecurity evidence from Ethiopia," World Development Perspectives, Elsevier, vol. 33(C).
    11. Nhan, Tran Quoc & Gillette, Raulston & Yutaka, Tomoyuki & Can, Nguyen Duy, 2020. "Impact of Outgrower Scheme on Yield,Output Price,and Income: A Rice-Farm-Level Study in the Mekong Delta,Vietnam," Hitotsubashi Journal of Economics, Hitotsubashi University, vol. 61(1), pages 1-19, June.
    12. Ashok K. Mishra & Anjani Kumar & Pramod K. Joshi & Alwin Dsouza, 2022. "Monopsonists, Disruptive Innovation and Food Security: The Case of High‐Value Commodity," Applied Economic Perspectives and Policy, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 44(1), pages 460-476, March.
    13. Ba, Hélène A. & de Mey, Yann & Thoron, Sylvie & Demont, Matty, 2019. "Inclusiveness of contract farming along the vertical coordination continuum: Evidence from the Vietnamese rice sector," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    14. Ashish Aman Sinha & Hari Charan Behera & Ajit Kumar Behura & Braja Bandhu Swain, 2021. "Land Allocation Choice in Both Contract and Non-Contract Farming: A Study of Potato Growers in West Bengal, India," SAGE Open, , vol. 11(3), pages 21582440211, September.
    15. Adu-Gyamfi Poku & Regina Birner & Saurabh Gupta, 2018. "Making Contract Farming Arrangements Work in Africa’s Bioeconomy: Evidence from Cassava Outgrower Schemes in Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-21, May.
    16. Marc F. Bellemare & Lindsey Novak, 2017. "Contract Farming and Food Security," American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association, vol. 99(2), pages 357-378.
    17. Senakpon F. A. Dedehouanou & Johan Swinnen & Miet Maertens, 2013. "Does Contracting Make Farmers Happy? Evidence from Senegal," Review of Income and Wealth, International Association for Research in Income and Wealth, vol. 59, pages 138-160, October.
    18. Briones, Roehlano M., 2015. "Small Farmers in High-Value Chains: Binding or Relaxing Constraints to Inclusive Growth?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 43-52.
    19. Mai Chiem Tuyen & Prapinwadee Sirisupluxana & Isriya Bunyasiri & Pham Xuan Hung, 2022. "Perceptions, Problems and Prospects of Contract Farming: Insights from Rice Production in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-22, September.
    20. Soullier, Guillaume & Moustier, Paule, 2018. "Impacts of contract farming in domestic grain chains on farmer income and food insecurity. Contrasted evidence from Senegal," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 179-198.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:20:p:14696-:d:1256924. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.