Social Responsibility as a Factor in the Survival of Small Agricultural Producers of Pigs in the Rural Area of the Republic of Croatia

Abstract

Abstract The Republic of Croatia has several rural areas where agricultural production is carried out. Unfortunately, these areas have been experiencing negative trends and decline, leading to concerns about their survival. Despite state policies that are supposed to protect small agricultural producers, these conditions have been threatened by other interest groups and factors. The current state policy measures have proven to be ineffective, which is evident through the numerous barriers that small agricultural producers face when attempting to place their products on the market. To address these issues, a research paper was conducted to highlight the social responsibility of the state to protect small agricultural producers and ensure that they have equal market conditions. The research paper also presents the concrete demographic and economic situation in these rural areas, and regression calculations, trends, and hypothesis testing were used to identify possible future perspectives of development in these areas. The data used in this research paper were collected from various sources such as the State Statistical Office of the Republic of Croatia, the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Croatia. The research analysis was carried out using mathematical and statistical methods to quantify the collected data and present them in the form of research results. Based on the findings of the research paper, concrete activities were proposed to create assumptions that small agricultural producers can carry out their business activities without hindrance. These activities aimed to protect small agricultural producers and ensure that they have equal market conditions, thus creating a healthy and sustainable agricultural sector in Croatia.