New farming models in backyards as possible solutions for generating additional income and self-employment in the rural cross-border area

Abstract

The territory on both sides of the border is characterized by a high percentage of the unemployed people (Vojvodina about 24%, Dél-Alföld about 10%) and those living on welfare, of which a significant number lives in rural areas. Poverty in rural areas is twice higher than in urban (Serbia: 9.8%: 4.3%). High unemployment in the region is caused by low educational category of the population, and elderly households which possess 500 to 1000 m2 of land (in average) with excellent quality. This land is not cultivated or it is cultivated for their needs (about 75% of land). in addition to the social issues created by high unemployment rate and ageing population, these problems represent social, economic and environmental concerns for the overall community. Also negative trend of small farms disappear because they lease their land to the large commercial producers, coursing migrations and leaving rural areas deserted. As a result of this situation, there is a large amount of uncultivated, high quality land. Also, there is the problem of using these backyards at low efficiency so it is the one of the challenges to change their way of thinking (new trends).