What Influences Farm Size Growth? An Illustration in Southwestern France. (25th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Akimowicz, Mikaël; Magrini, Marie‐Benoît; Ridier, Aude; Bergez, Jacques‐Eric; Requier‐Desjardins, Denis
• Is Part Of: Applied economic perspectives and policy. Volume 35:Number 2(2013)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 269
• Publication Date: 2013-03-25
• Subjects: Farm land -- Farm sector concentration -- Farm size -- Midi‐Pyrénées -- Multinomial model -- Structural change -- Tobit model; Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- Periodicals; Agriculture and state -- Periodicals; 338.105
• DOI: 10.1093/aepp/ppt008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-5790

Abstract

Abstract: Farm size in industrialized countries grew significantly over the second half of the twentieth century. Using several econometric models, this article examines factors that influence farm size, the probability of an increase in farm size, and the intensity of farm growth. We find that farm structural characteristics, farmer's age, the existence of a successor, and spatial factors approximating urban influences have a significant impact on farm size, whereas human capital variables do not. This study considers a representative sample of 5, 000 professional farms in the Midi‐Pyrénées region between 2000 and 2007.