Economic Size and Developmental Possibilities of Chosen Family Farms in Poland

Abstract

Abstract The economic size of agricultural farms is defined by means of the standard output (SO). However, economic effects of these farms depend on the way of husbandry. The analysed family farms of the area ranging from 8.58 ha UAA to 150 ha UAA had economic sizes ranging from €9,737 to €24,9379. Such a range made it possible to create 4 groups of farms according to classes of the economic size ES6. Calculated developmental possibilities were from -1167 PLN·ha -1 UAA to 3880 PLN·ha -1 UAA. It was stated that with an economic increase of the economic size developmental possibilities increase which is indicated by positive average correlation between these variables. In the best situation, regarding developmental possibilities are large farms having 12 times more possibilities than small farms. Significant differences in developmental possibilities between analysed groups of farms were stated. Significant differences were not stated in the amount of direct subsidies. Significant differences were stated in received direct surplus between small and large farms.