Analysis of the factors of sustainable agriculture in Serbia and the European Union member states

Abstract

The consequences of negative impact of agriculture on sustainable use of resources require the development of modern agricultural practices in linewith ecological principles which are sustainable in the long term. The main objective of this research is to define the model of sustainable agriculture, observedthrough different dimensions of sustainability, with the support of the multivariate analyses: principal component analysis and factor analysis. In addition to this, the paper defines the level of development of agriculture in Serbia in comparison to EU member states. The importance of determining the position of Serbia in relation to the EU member statesis reflected in the necessary harmonization of agrarian policy of Serbia and the EU, as well as of the environmental policies. The research results point to a multidimensional approach to sustainable agriculture, where there are significant differences in practice, in terms of economic, technological and environmental aspects of the development. Considering the lower level of development of agriculture in Serbia compared to European Union member states, the opportunity for sustainable agricultural development in Serbia are the IPA funds, respectively the IPARD component of pre-accession assistance availableto candidate countriesfor EU accession, aimed at reducing development disparities.