Competent farm entrepreneur

The main objective of the Competent Farm Entrepreneur project is to develop the management of farm businesses, thereby contributing to their success and competitiveness in a rapidly changing environment. The project takes into account the heterogeneity and diversity of farm enterprises, including the management of multi-sectoral enterprises. The project will complement previous research by highlighting other factors affecting competitiveness and value creation in addition to cost competitiveness. The project will explore the future plans, strategy choices, good management practices and development needs of farm enterprises. The study will analyse both the general challenges related to changes in the business environment and the challenges related to strategic choices made at farm level. It will also develop ways and solutions at enterprise level to promote farm enterprises' capacity for renewal and management development in a sustainable way. The research will use both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The project will generate new knowledge on the future needs of farm entrepreneurs, the impact of changes in the business environment on strategy choices and the need to develop management skills. The project will provide information on the cooperation networks of farm entrepreneurs and related good practices and development needs, as well as on farm business management and the keys to business success. The project will help strengthen the capacity of farm entrepreneurs to develop their management skills and improve the competitiveness and profitability of their businesses. The results will be compiled into a freely accessible information package for farm entrepreneurs and stakeholders. The information package will include examples of successful management solutions identified through the project's surveys, interviews and workshops. The results of the project will be actively communicated during the project. The research is carried out in cooperation between the University of Helsinki, the Natural Resources Institute Finland and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.