engleski

Land consolidation model in the county of Varazdin

Different land consolidation processes have been performed for centuries in all parts of Europe. Their aim was to enlarge family farms' land and to decrease a number of parcels per family farm. During the time, as a result of a prior experience and technological progress, different processes of consolidation have developed. The aims of consolidation have also changed. The process of consolidation is a result of the period in which it takes place (Van den Brink, 2004). After the Second World War, the collectivization of agricultural holdings was carried out in Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe. After collectivization was completed, followed reallocation, re-parceling and other processes of consolidation of agricultural land based on special regulations (Budanko-Penavić, 2003.). Since the beginning of 1990s the countries in Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe have begun to implement land and agricultural reforms in order to restructure agricultural holdings to the condition before collectivization. During the long period of time Croatian agriculture was characterized by double structure of ownership. In past, in Socialism, development investments in agriculture were directed toward a small number of large agricultural companies in social ownership. Just as in the majority of former socialist countries, small family farms were marginalized (Sklenicka, 2006). This is the cause of current agricultural holdings structure, characterized by a large number of small family farms which cannot earn income necessary for decent living and for necessary investments into agricultural production. The current structure of ownership still reflects forty years of the rule of Socialism and of implementation of unsuitable inheritance regulations. When it comes to agricultural land, its social component must not be forgotten. The social component is reflected in the age of landowners, their education, the position in society and advisory approach when exchanging or selling land (Coelho et al., 1996.). New generations of farmers are more apt to selling or exchanging the land than elderly generations.

the County (of Varaždin); subsidy; parcels; land fragmentation

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