ABSTRACT
The role of agriculture in the Greek economy and in its social structure sets agricultural development as a priority goal. Although the repercussions of international developments are being felt heavily in agriculture, other sectors are also in need of restructuring. Economic interrelations and implications require that the problems facing Greek agriculture should not be treated separately and independently from those encountered by other sectors. Agricultural development cannot be realized but as a component of sustainable rural development, supported and forwarded by a set of compatible and stimulating macroeconomic, regional and intersectoral policies and by institutional changes. Implementation of an integrated policy for the agricultural and the rural sectors will provide the opportunity to exploit the new comparative advantages of the country towards the revitalization of rural regions and social prosperity. The establishment and the adoption of on-farm alternative activities provide good opportunities for promoting sustainable rural development.
