Storleksexpansion av lantbruksföretag genom sidoarrende : beaktade faktorer i beslutsprocessen

Sammanfattning: The numbers of full time farmers that cultivate in excess of 100 hectares increase steadily. At the same time the number of famers is decreasing and the farms grow larger. This result in a redistribution of the arable land and causes the share of land as well as average farm size farmed by full time famers to increase. This process tends to increase the share of rented land on farm units above 100 hectares. An increase of tenancy rental rates prices has occurred during the last twenty years. The profitability of agricultural crop production measured per hectare of tillable land is rather stable since 2005. If there exists a relationship between profitability and higher costs for tenancy of land is still unknown. The objective of this thesis is to identify the factors that are taken in to considerations when a farmer expands their farm through tenancy. The aim is to provide a better understanding of the decision making process in the farm firm when a farmer expands their business through tenancy. This thesis also intends to find whether the decisions are made with regards to rational economic aspects and/or other factors. A theoretical model of decision making is provided by the literature and this model is adjusted to reflect the specific problem area. The empirical data are based on semi-structured interviews with eleven full time farmers that have expanded through tenancy in the last five years. The farmers are located in the Götaland Northern plains and Svealand plains. No study has according to a literature review extensively researched the decision making processes guiding expansion of farm units through supplementary tenancy contracts. The conclusion of the thesis is that the surrounding environment and stake holders of farm units affect the decision making process. A tenancy contract is typically established following an inquiry from a landowner and the rental rate is never considered to be decisive. The relation between landowner and farmer is a factor that affects if an inquiry concerning tenancy occurs. If the farmer declines an inquiry of tenancy, it is considered sending a signal that the farmer does not tend to continue to develop the farm. Such a signal tends to contradict the ultimate objective of farmers; to remain a farmer. The willingness to expand the farm is frequently based on a perception that more land is better. The farmers motivate an increase of ´the farm by lower production cost. However, none of the farmers in the study are able to demonstrate how an increase in hectares affects their production cost. Their motive to increase land is based largely on intuition. A larger farm is able to negotiate lower input prices and to obtain an improved negotiating position when marketing products. The farmers in the study attach a large value to the increase of farm size. Only in few cases an improved financial situation is observed following an expansion through tenancy. In the cases were the financial situation is perceived to have improved it is viewed by profits in absolute terms and not by profit margin.