Abstract
Global population growth over the last century has resulted in a significant increase in food demand while the agricultural sector, mainly responsible for producing food, is undergoing drastic changes and facing manifold challenges. Both developing and developed countries have to adjust to these changes. Although the rationale may differ, farmers' involvement in non-farm activities is a common feature of the global agriculture sector, despite the associated potential risks. As a result, the primary goal of this PhD dissertation is to investigate the current state, influencing factors, and consequences of part-time farming. Based on a literature review and primary and secondary data collection and analysis, this study addresses three objectives organized into four chapters. Chapter 2 (objective 1) aims to study the overall state of part-time farming in the European Union amidst recent developments in its agricultural structure and the agricultural policy changes using Eurostat panel data. This chapter highlights the trends in farm other gainful activities (OGA) between 2005 and 2016, where part-time farming has declined as the main activity and slightly increased as secondary activity. It also investigates the relationship between the share of OGA and different farmer and farm characteristics. This chapter further delineates the impacts of structural developments on the farmers' engagement in non-agricultural activities on a broader European level. Findings show that these trends may continue into the future. which may bring an even fewer number of larger, more specialized, and more professional farms that have little time to engage in other activities than their core business of farming. Chapter 3 (objective 2) reports the empirical findings of the household survey and key informant interviews conducted in the northern mountain regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. This chapter examines the current situation and the factors influencing the decision by farmers to engage in other gainful activities such as farm diversification and off-farm work. It further provides a qualitative assessment of farmers’ responses to the research problem. The findings indicate that OGA primarily exist as livelihood strategies. Farm diversification is linked with the long-term sustenance of agricultural activities while off-farm work is predominantly driven by economic needs. Both types VI of activities require specific support policies while attention needs to be given not to threaten the regional food supply. Chapter 4 (objective 3) evaluates the situation of intergenerational farm succession as the consequence of prevalent non-agricultural work activities in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. It examines the sustenance of the agriculture sector amidst an increased rate of rural-to-urban migration and a rapid growth rate of the non-farm sector. The chapter is based on quantitative survey data obtained from farm managers, potential farm successors and qualitative data from key informants from two different districts in Gilgit-Baltistan. The results indicate that farm succession is influenced by specific farmer, farm and income situations of farm households. While part-time farming is the most reported choice. Agricultural income and farmer personal characteristics affect the choice of exiting the farming profession. Generally, the findings in Chapter 2 and 4 suggests that farmers' involvement in OGA is a global phenomenon and is affected by quite similar factors despite the differences in contexts. The findings such as the link between farm size and OGA have shown a common trend in both case scenarios. However, different policy measures are required to cope with the potential risks attached to the phenomenon.