Journalartikel

Jahr der Veröffentlichung: 2000

Seiten: 534-563

Zeitschrift: Berichte über Landwirtschaft

Bandnummer: 78

Heftnummer: 4

ISSN: 0005-9080

Verlag: Kohlhammer

Abstract: 

The hypothesis of a low income of agricultural as opposed to nonagricultural families has been viewed for many years as a main element of the farm problem. It has played a major role in the policy discussion on agriculture. It is often argued that structural disadvantages of agriculture would lead to an income disparity at least if agricultural policy measures are absent and, possibly, even with the existing agricultural policy. One hypothesis to support this view is that competitive disadvantages exist for farmers given the market structure of factor and product markets. Our study does not confirm this latter hypothesis. First, a comparison of family income between agricultural and non-agricultural households reveals that the income level of agricultural households is actually lower. This result is derived from survey results in the Hessian Lahn/Dill region. An analysis of relevant agricultural output markets shows, however, that farmers in this remote area do not receive lower prices than their counterparts in other and major farming regions. Market integration does exist. Furthermore, an analysis of labour supply from farm families on the nonagricultural labour market shows that responses to changes in wage rates and the unemployment ratio are rational. Structural reasons for income disparity like a lacking factor mobility cannot be detected. We conclude that there must be other reasons for the income disparity, most likely natural disadvantages for agriculture in this region or structural disequilibria in the regional labour markets.

Harvard-Zitierstil: Herrmann, R., Harsche, J. and Pfaff, K. (2000) Die Bedeutung landwirtschaftlicher und außer-landwirtschaftlicher Märkte für die Allokation der Produktionsfaktoren der Landwirtschaft: Das Beispiel des hessischen Lahn/Dill-Berglandes, Berichte über Landwirtschaft, 78(4), pp. 534-563

APA-Zitierstil: Herrmann, R., Harsche, J., & Pfaff, K. (2000). Die Bedeutung landwirtschaftlicher und außer-landwirtschaftlicher Märkte für die Allokation der Produktionsfaktoren der Landwirtschaft: Das Beispiel des hessischen Lahn/Dill-Berglandes. Berichte über Landwirtschaft. 78(4), 534-563.