Governance, economic, social and environmental sustainability of agricultural farms

Hrabrin Bachev, Dimitar Vanev

Abstract: The issue of assessment of sustainability of agricultural farms is among the most topical for researchers, farmers, investors, administrators, politicians, interests groups and public at large. Despite that practically there are no assessments on sustainability level of Bulgarian farms in conditions of European Union Common Agricultural Policy implementation. This article applies a holistic framework and assesses sustainability of Bulgarian farm as a whole and of different juridical type, size, production specialization, ecological and geographical location. Initially the method of the study is outlined and overall characteristics of surveyed holdings presented. After that an assessment is made of integral, governance, economic, social, environmental sustainability of farms in general and of different type and location. Finally, directions for further research and amelioration of practices of sustainability assessment suggested. Our study has found out that the overall sustainability of Bulgarian farms is at a good level, with superior levels for environmental and social sustainability, and close to the border with a low level for governance and economic sustainability. Therefore, improvement of the latter two aspects is critical for maintaining sustainability of Bulgarian holdings. There is a great variation in sustainability levels of farms of different type and location, as well as in the share of holding’s with different levels of sustainability. Dispersion of farms of in groups with diverse level of sustainability has to be taken into account when forecast the number and importance of holdings of each kind, as well as modernize public policies for supporting agricultural producers of certain type, sub-sectors, ecosystems, and regions of the country. Suggested holistic framework gives a possibility to improve assessment, analysis and management of sustainability of individual farming enterprises and holdings of different type in general and for the major aspects, principles, criteria and indicators of governance, economic, social and environmental sustainability. That novel approach has to be further discussed, experimented, improved and adapted to the specific conditions of operation and development of farming enterprises of different type, subsector of production, geographical region and ecosystem as well as the special needs of decision-makers at various levels.

Keywords: ecological aspects; economic aspects; farm sustainability; governance aspects; social aspects

Date published: 2018-01-31