Evaluation and comparison of farmers' entrepreneurial abilities

Abstract

Based on the relevant theories and literature on Timmons-Christian entrepreneurship process, using the data from field interviews and questionnaire surveys in Zhejiang Province, the paper constructed an evaluation index system of farmers' entrepreneurial abilities. Farmers' entrepreneurship was classified into four types, namely, agricultural production centered, agricultural product processing centered, agricultural product sales centered, and others. The research compared the entrepreneurial abilitiesof different types of farmers and analyzed reasons for the differences. The results showed that farmers' entrepreneurial abilities were generally low due to the constraints of their social network, knowledge system and mentality. The ability with the highest score was theability to integrate resources, the lowest score being the ability to identify opportunities. Entrepreneurship could be cultivated and promoted through systematic education, learning and communication. However, there should be differences in the contents and methods for promoting different types of farmers' entrepreneurship abilities, especially the abilities with low scores should be targeted to cultivate, in order to improve the overall ability of farmers' entrepreneurship. The paper perfected the theoretical foundation of farmers' entrepreneurial abilities evaluation, and provided theoretical basis and practical guidance for the government and farmers themselves to enhance their entrepreneurial abilities according to different types of farmers entrepreneurs.