Farm sustainability evaluation: methodology and practice

摘要: Abstract For a very long time, agricultural policy has been interested only in productive or economic aspects. Nevertheless, interventions aiming to support farmers’ income promote modernisation have resulted several ‘negative’ side-effects, such as increasing pollution, landscape depletion and deepening of regional disparities. Consequently, need emerged for confronting problems with more comprehensive approach, taking into account the whole range impacts caused by agriculture. The European Concerted Action on ‘Landscape Nature Production Capacity Sustainable/Organic Farms’ proposed checklist criteria sustainable management. This article discusses procedures summarising above-mentioned an ‘overall judgement’. aim is provide tool capable assess farm performance all relevant activities. Firstly, paper issues related information quality, focussing differences processing quantitative qualitative data. Secondly, analyses methods suitable reaching overall judgement based criteria. Thereafter, it their application set case study farms typologies, which can be obtained data from statistics ad hoc surveys. Advantages drawbacks use studies typologies are given while integrated recommended. Two types methodologies presented. first methodology, preferred if financial resources not lacking, transforms initial Utility values processes latter using sophisticated techniques, multiple analysis. second uses simplified transforming base quartiles then summing them up without any weighting. advantages this method easy implementation methodology that understood decision-makers administrators, who do background statistics. Conclusions stress importance approach setting policies, since farming activity influences environment quality besides other important features. From viewpoint, able foresee effects induced policy, avoid ‘unexpected side-effects’. Regarding Landscape Management, introduction reintroduction single elements give different results those were expected. subsidising styles proved positive effect could reliable approach. Farm promoted selected ‘social’ performance, assessed according multi-dimensional one presented article.