Multifunctional farms and rural development: A study of four Swedish rural areas

This paper discusses aspects of multifunctionality emerging from a Local rural perspective. The concept is discussed on the basis of interviews and discussions with farmers and rural development groups. Multifunctionality is used in the sense of social, ecological and economic functions of farms. The study is research-in-progress and focuses on four rural areas in Sweden where agriculture has Low viability and where rural development groups are working for the persistence of farms. Semi-structured interviews, group interviews and collection of physical data of farms are methods used in order to explore the multifunctionality of farming and its contribution to rural development. Despite the declining economic importance on the national Level, agriculture may still locally contribute as an important basis for rural development. Agriculture concerns Land use and resource management, which distinguishes farming from other rural enterprises. The appearance of the Landscape, the natural and cultural values existent are important for the willingness to stay or settle in an area. The mode of agricultural production is decisive for ecological functions important for other economic activities, as well as for human wellbeing.