Off-farm income is generated when a farmer, spouse or other family member works off of the farm, thereby generating extra income for the family. It is also referred to as pluriactivity. Off-farm income is directly linked with part-time farming, a widespread phenomenon throughout Europe. Many regions of Europe have large numbers of farms that are only marginally viable where, for cultural reasons, families prefer to maintain their farm enterprise, even if only on a part-time basis. In those cases off-farm incomes can help to maintain these farms, stabilise the structure of farming activities, and therefore the landscapes and habitats which traditional farming has given rise to. Off-farm employment in farm households also helps maintain rural populations that, in turn, ensures the retention of essential services within rural areas. Click here for an entire overview of short descriptions of Fields of Activities
This publication has been published by: