The development of sustainable farming systems and the challenges livestock producers face in the EU: a Greek case study on sheep and goat breeders

摘要

Sheep and goat farmers are generally considered as typical "laggards", displaying all the characteristics of a low-esteem, uneducated and desocialised part of Greek rural society. Their future is, at least, uncertain, their quality of life low and their status poor. As such, they consist a primary target group for any kind of modernization intervention, designed and implemented by policy makers, scientists, experts and local authorities. Field research (1998-1999) in the prefectures of Karditsa and Trikala, Central Greece, revealed that the above stereotypical picture of sheep and goat farmers is incomplete, and, therefore, misleading. It is undeniable that such livestock farmers do face serious problems relating to their livelihood and production conditions. However, their image as "laggards" and "social misfits" is largely socially constructed on the basis of recent economic and social developments taking place in both rural and urban areas. As a result, certain advantages of their way of life inrelation to the urban standards are undermined, while, on the other hand, on the basis of the current modernization imperative, other less advantageous aspects of their livelihood are exaggerated. These people encounter specific problems and put their efforts to deal with them, successfully or not. Yet, on the other hand, they enjoy totally different aspects of life compared to the usual urban conditions.