Gendered time in Swedish family farming: Operationalising an agrarian typology using the Swedish Farm Accountancy Data Network

Abstract

Purpose

The agricultural sector has undergone extensive changes in the 20-30 years since the peak academic debate on family farming. Still today, the understanding and concept of family farming has political implications in the processes of rural and agricultural policy. The purpose of this paper is to study the development of agrarian structure by analysing the gendered and family relations of family farming.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the concept of the family farm and its utilisation and diversity in the current Swedish agricultural sector from a gender perspective, using empirical data from the Farm Accountancy Data Network. The paper operationalises a situated agrarian typology and examines the gendered position and temporalities of family farms in Sweden, based on patterns of labour use.

Findings

A workable, fruitful typology of the agrarian structure suitable for future comparative studies is revealed. It also demonstrates the gendered time in the farm labour process, the different temporalities involved and their interconnection between gender, family and various spheres. The spatial and geographical implications, as well as the increased dependence on family and hired labour in different farm types, are emphasised.

Originality/value

The focus of this study contributes to the understanding of spatial-temporal relations of family farm business and organisation in general and in Sweden particularly. It also provides empirical basis for developing and gender mainstreaming rural and agricultural policies.

Citation

Andersson, E. and Lundqvist, P. (2016), "Gendered time in Swedish family farming: Operationalising an agrarian typology using the Swedish Farm Accountancy Data Network", Journal of Family Business Management, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 310-329. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFBM-07-2015-0023