Development of agriculture in Portuguese regions

Piecuch, Jakub (2007): Development of agriculture in Portuguese regions. Published in: Economic Science for Rural Development , Vol. 12, (2007): pp. 89-104.

Abstract

Portuguese regions make up a distinct area in the European Community. Majority of them can be described as less developed economies with strong dependence on agricultural production. Some Portuguese regions have permanent natural handicaps, due to their peripherality, topographic and climatic restrictions. In many of these areas small-scale and low-tech agriculture still dominates. In most cases these regions are considered to be areas in which traditional economy is not adapted to market conditions. The process of Portugal’s integration with the European Community triggered changes in the country’s agriculture. Far-reaching transformation resulted from necessary adjustments to European market. In almost all regions this conversion had a decided character. Positive changes in rural areas are noticeable but nowadays employment in agriculture is still very high and productivity rather low — another factor which is characteristic for Portuguese agriculture. Agriculture is a crucial sector of Portuguese economy and modernization of primary sector still seems to be the top priority.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: Agriculture, Regions, Portugal, European Community
• Subjects: Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q1 - Agriculture; R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics

References

Commission of the European Communities, Sixth periodic Report on the Social and Economic Situation and Development Regions in the European Union, Brussels/Luxembourg 1998.

Commission of the European Communities, Regional GDP per inhabitant in the EU25 in 2003, Statistics in Focus, 63/2006.

Commission decision drawing up the list of regions covered by Objective 1 of Structural Funds for the period 2000 to 2006, Official Journal of the European Communities, 1 July 1999, No. 1999/502/EC.

European Commission, Portrait of the Regions. Portugal, Luxembourg, 1998.

European Commission, Second report on economic and social cohesion. Unity, solidarity, diversity for Europe, its people and its territory, Luxembourg, 2001.

European Commission, Rural Development Programs. Country profile-Portugal, Brussels 2003.

European Commission, Third report on economic and social cohesion: A new partnership for cohesion.

Convergence, competitiveness, cooperation, Luxembourg, 2004.

European Communities, The Common Agriculture Policy explained, Luxembourg 2004.

European Communities, The EU Rural Development Policy 2007 - 2013, Luxembourg 2006.

European Communities, Regions: Statistical yearbook 2006. Data 2000-2004, Luxembourg 2006.

Institute Nacional de Estatistica Portugal, Statistical Yearbook of Portugal 2005, Lisboa 2006.

Piecuch J., Influence of European Structural Funds on Social and Economic Performance in Spanish and Portuguese Regions, Socialiniai Tyrimai, Siauliu Universitetas 1(7), Siauliai 2006.

Soromenho - Marques V. Queiros M. Yale M., National Report. Regional Sustainable Development. Portugal, Universidad de Lisboa, Lisbon 2003.