CLASSIFICATION OF DISTRICTS IN SERBIA BASED ON THE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT INDICATORS

Milan  Stamenković; Marina Milanović; Vinko Lepojević

doi:10.59267/ekoPolj2601135S

Authors

Milan Stamenković Faculty of Economics, University of Kragujevac, Liceja Kneževine Srbije 3, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0689-0369
Marina Milanović Faculty of Economics, University of Kragujevac, Liceja Kneževine Srbije 3, 34000 Kragujevac, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6245-5313
Vinko Lepojević Faculty of Economics, University of Niš, Trg Kralja Aleksandra Ujedinitelja 11, 18000 Niš, Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8364-1078

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59267/ekoPolj2601135S

Keywords:

Cluster analysis, agricultural development, districts, regional disparities, Serbia

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze regional differencesin agricultural production development at district levelin the Republic of Serbia. For the realization of definedobjectives a multivariate statistical methodology wasemployed, based on the combined application ofhierarchical and non-hierarchical cluster analysis methods,using following four indicators: employment in agriculture,average farm size, land productivity, and agriculturalgross value added per farm. The research results indicatethe existence of five distinct clusters of districts, whichdiffer significantly in production structure, resourceutilization, and economic efficiency. The findings confirmpronounced regional disparities and emphasize the needfor differentiated agricultural development measures. Therecommendations arising from results relate to the creationof targeted institutional and financial support tailored to thespecific characteristics of individual clusters. This researchcontributes to the enrichment of existing literature andprovides a suitable analytical basis for creation of futureagricultural and rural development strategy.

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