The European farm entrepreneur: A comparative perspective

Entrepreneurship in agriculture is an important issue in Europe. Policymakers, researchers, farmers' unions and advisory services are concerned with the development of entrepreneurship in agriculture. This paper reports on the interim findings of a European Union funded research project established to examine the socio-economic and cultural factors hindering or stimulating the development of entrepreneurial skills of farmers. One hundred and twenty (120) stakeholders in the farming sector were interviewed to explore their views concerning the entrepreneurial capability of farmers. Entrepreneurship is connected with finding ways and means to create and develop a profitable farm business. Skills are the competencies required to accomplish tasks and activities related to the farm business which can be developed by learning and experience.