1.1 Aims of the study
The aims of the project were to explore the links between social and economic factors and sustainable agriculture by
- defining and describing the living standards of a number of farm families,
- looking at the relationships between farm families and the community,
- identifying the issues, problems, strengths of these farm families and rural communities, and
- bringing the issues together in a report which could be used by government to further develop (or not) policies and apply practices to better serve the sustainability of farms, rural communities and agriculture in general.
The questions central to the research project were concerned with living standards,
power relationships, structures, and sustainability.
Do farming families think their standard of living is changing? How?
What is changing? Why?
On what basis are men and women making their decisions? Has this changed?
Have family relationships, decisions about schooling or holidays, priorities, values,
beliefs, patterns of employment or work on the farm changed?
What has remained constant?
How does all this affect farm families and their planning for the future?
How does this impact on sustainability?
What is sustainability for these people?
What are the links between farm families and the communities to which they belong; how do
these links affect sustainability?
Contact for Enquiries
Rural Affairs Coordinator
Sector Performance Policy
MAF Policy
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0675
Fax: +64 4 4 894 0745
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