The impact of the agricultural extension on the sustainability of the agrifood industry: the case of contract durum wheat farmers and past production in Greece

Abstract

The main purpose of this research is to examine the association of contract farming and agricultural extension, and its impact to the sustainability of the agrifood industry. Thus, exploring whether this synergy can enhance the production of quality products, the research focuses on a case study of contract durum wheat farmers in Greece. Among the research main findings is farmers’ belief to contract farming and agricultural extension that have a significant contribution to certain production factors, such as quality, farm income assurance, farmers’ attitude change for improvement and on the promotion of collaboration under the context of the agrifood chain’s sustainability. In addition, farmers consider premium quality products being a synergy result of contract farming and agricultural extension. The research presented in this paper has practical implications for farmers, agrifood industry managers, agricultural policy makers, agricultural extension staff and rural sociology researchers. However, more efforts have to be contacted to examine in depth specialized issues and aspects of contract farming and agricultural extension relationship.