Management of Family Rural Properties – theory and practice

Abstract

This paper offers a theoretical reflection on the management of family-owned rural properties in Brazil based on the authors' experiences. The concept of management is grounded in the less conventional view of management who argues that management cannot be reduced to a set of techniques or formulas but is a complex and multifaceted practice. It is concluded that, contrary to the common belief that family-owned rural properties lack management instruments, they are informally present and used in accordance with the available time of the farmer and their focus, which tends to be on on-site agricultural production. This informality is not negative and is not exclusive to family farmers; managers in other sectors also adopt it.