Assessming family farm economic viability for the new eu countries

In recent decades, the interest of scientists and agricultural policy-makers in farm viability assessment and methodology-related issues has increased. Economic viability of farms is often cited in the objectives of governments, communities and farms. The assessment of economic viability in the objectives of governments is relevant to the allocation of support to the agriculture as well as with the view of purposeful use of support and in taking political decisions. According to A. Adejela, K. M. Garcia et al. (2007), the persons engaged in farming, who feel responsible and are able to participate in the global economy successfully, contribute to the strengthening of rural areas, create job places in the region, improve the structure of agricultural holdings in the country, development of the competitiveness of agricultural sector and generate more income. J. Scott (2001), J. M. Argiles (2001), M. Singh, A. S. Bhillar (2009), E. Scotti, H. Bergmann et al. (2011), H. C. Vrolijk, C. De Bont et al. (2010), J. B. Whitaker (2009), N. Koleda, N. Lace (2010) accentuate the need of the assessment of the economic viability of farms, since the family farms take decisions related to the preservation of economic viability and determination of activity perspectives. As pointed out by E. Dillon, T. Hennessy, S. Hynes (2010), recently, the number of measures and methods for the assessment of economic viability of agriculture increases. One of the most frequently used methods for the research of economic viability of farms is based on the indicators of economic viability, but the assessment yet shows that the indicators used are not sufficiently practical and do not reflect the prospects of economic viability of family farms. As H. C. Vrolijk, C. De Bont et al. (2010) pointed out the assessment of economic viability of family farms is still developing and has not reached the maturity yet.[...]Kauno kolegijaVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij