The Transformation of Polish Agriculture and Rural Areas Since EU Accession
The Transformation of Polish Agriculture and Rural Areas Since EU Accession

Summary/Abstract: Based on publications and analyses of factual material in databases (GUS,RER, and FADN), the article presents the major changes in agriculture and rural areasin Poland following accession to the European Union (EU). Accession provided significantimpulses to accelerate the transformation of Polish agriculture. These impulses includethe supply of agricultural production resources, increased demand for agricultural products,transfers to agriculture resulting from the mechanisms of the Common Agricultural Policy(CAP), increased demand for agricultural labour, and the rising aspirations of farmersdriven by cultural changes and higher education levels. At the same time, accession tothe EU contributed to the implementation of the sustainable agricultural developmentparadigm – particularly through targeted or conditional financial transfers. The resultsin this area are significant in the economic sphere, while they remain modest and ambiguousin the environmental and social spheres. Agriculture in the 21st century must transformtoward sustainability, as the development of industrial agriculture has reached a stage wherethe benefits of increasing production are outweighed by environmental drawbacks. Thistransformation requires replacing chemical inputs with organic matter, pointing the waytoward agrobiotechnology and integrated technologies. A major challenge is balancingthe development of family farms with the pressure created by globalisation and large-scale agricultural holdings. Rural areas have made significant progress in socio-economicdevelopment, especially in terms of technical infrastructure and income levels. Currently,the challenge lies in building technical infrastructure to ensure economic benefits primarilyfor rural residents. A deep revision of the CAP is desirable, or perhaps even its integrationinto the rural development management system.

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