The articfe addresses problems encountered by small farms, which are balancing between natural and commercial, i.e. semi-subsistence farms. Due to a small scale of production such farms are not always capable of answering the consumption needs of farm members developing further marketable commercial activities of the farm. However, at this particular period, with the persisting clear economic and social differentiation in rural areas and the increasing unemployment, when educated agricultural workers are ready to compete on the labour market, small farms remain an important source of subsistence for rural inhabitants.
Possibilities were analyzed applying the General Algebraical Modelling System (GAMS) and the assessment of the efficiency of economic activities of small farms by the type of farming (dairy; mixed, herbivorous animals prevailing; mixed, crops and grain prevailing), occupation of employees and income. Referring to the data of the survey, presumptive conclusions were formulated concerning the existing situation of small farms and the possibilities of remaining among the participants on the market.
Key words: semi-subsistence farm, type of farming, capital, gross value of agricultural output, profit, subsidies for production, labour efficiency.
Melnikienė, R.; Kriščiukaitienė, I.; Tamošaitienė, A.; Andrikienė, S. Smulkaus ūkio plėtros galimybės ir problemos / Opportunities and problems for the development of small farms // Dirvožemio stabilumo užtikrinimas ekologiškai ir socialiai jautriose regionuose = Soil stability in ecologically and socially vulnerable regions / Lietuvos žemdirbystės institutas. Akademija, 2009, p. 46-51, ISBN 978-9955-650-34-8.
