A Framework for Assessing Sustainability of Farming Enterprises
A Framework for Assessing Sustainability of Farming Enterprises

Summary/Abstract: This paper gives an answer to two important questions: „what is sustainability of farming enterprises?“ and „how to assess sustainability of farming enterprises?“. First, major shortcomings of dominating approaches for assessment of sustainability of farming enterprises like individual and family farms, agro- companies, agro- cooperatives etc. are summarized, and the needs for improvement underlined. Second, evolution of the “concept” and the major approaches for assessing sustainability of farming enterprises is discussed. More adequate definition of the farming enterprise’s sustainability is suggested as ability of a particular form to maintain its governance, economic, social and ecological functions in a long term. Finally, a specific for the conditions of Bulgarian agriculture framework for assessing sustainability of farming enterprises is proposed. The later includes a system of appropriate principles, criteria, indicators, and reference values for evaluating governance, economic, ecological and social aspects of farming enterprise’s sustainability as well as an approach for their integration and interpretation. The ultimate objective of this study is to work out an effective framework for assessing sustainability of farming enterprises of different type in the specific economic, institutional and natural environment, assist farm and agro- business management and strategies, and agricultural policies and forms of public intervention in agrarian sector.

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