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The effect of farmer characteristics into management functions: A study in dairy sheep systems in the Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

Abstract:

This paper presents an analysis of the effect of farmer characteri stics into management functions: Planning, Organi-zation, Control and Direction in dairy sheep farms in the Shire Natural La Mancha (Spain). A total of 157 surveys were applied, and four synthetic indices of management functions were performed. It was calcul ated the weights of the variables usi ng the Delphi method. A Multivariate Factor Analysis con-firmed the hypothesis of the close re i ationship between the Di-rection and Control functions, composi ng a Dynamic Management Index. An ANOVA analysis was applied to study the re i a-tionship between the farmer characteri stics and the manage-rial indexes. The sector has a mid-i evel dedication to the management functions. There is a considerable effect of the farmer characteri stics on the level of farm management. The youngest farmers and with higher level of education are the best in controll ing and directi ng management. Those who have more experience, devote less attention to controll ing and directi ng. Associations affected all management functions, those who be i ong to a social organization are the best in management functions. Some measures to change the farmer characteri stics must be done by mean of the agricultural poli cy as a tool to improve management functions. The establ ishment of measures to promote entrepreneurship for young farmers was proposed. Also they must be partnerships of farmers as-sociations. This will result in better production and economic results which will be necessary for survival and this will provide a good position in the market.