Agriculture and the production of local food and products can have a significant impact on the economic development of viable rural areas. To achieve this, it is mainly small farms that play a key role, especially in areas facing natural constrains (mountainous regions), where their number prevails. Research has shown that in these areas’ farms have difficulty in finding suitable conditions for starting new production. This study aims to present the situation of agricultural holdings in areas facing natural constrains (mountainous regions). Also, the opportunities and challenges faced by small farms in these areas to start and carry out agricultural activities. The study uses a generally accepted methodology to determine the viability of rural areas. Based on this, indicators such as land access, lack of marketing skills, administrative burdens and lack of sufficient financial instruments on small farms as major constraints on starting a new economic activity have been studied. The challenges facing local authorities in supporting farms in areas facing natural constrains (mountainous regions) and maintaining viable rural areas are studied.  

agricultural holdings, less-favoured areas, viable rural areas