Rural Marginalization in Southern Portugal: farmers’ reactions to European policies and current land use changes

Abstract

One of the Portuguese regions most affected by marginalization is Alentejo, in the Southern part of the country, where the Mediterranean characteristics are dominant. The current land use changes lead to extensification, or even abandonment of the land, connected with depopulation and socio-economic stagnation. The aim of this research is to understand the reactions and strategies of the farmers and the reasons determining their decision making, and to evaluate the impact of EU policies in the region.