A system of farm classification as an aid in formulating policies and for measuring the effects of changes in agricultural strategy

Abstract A method of classifying farms and farming systems is described. The method is based on ten classes (or multiples of ten) for each variable so that each class can be described by a single figure from the range 0 to 9, or by two figures from 00 to 99, etc., allocation being based on a key which lists appropriate variables and their method of division into classes. Ways of dividing some non-numerical variables are suggested. The relationships between variables and the effect of one variable on one or more other variables can then be assessed. It is suggested that such a method could be used to measure the biological and other changes on farms caused by changes in national and international policies and other influencing factors.