Integration into agricultural producer groups as a manifestation of rural entrepreneurship

Abstract

Entrepreneurship is an integral part of rural development contributing to activation, competitiveness and innovation. One manifestation of rural entrepreneurship is farmers associating into producer groups. The article aims to analyse the determinants of rural entrepreneurship and the functioning of integration processes in agriculture based on Poland’s example of agricultural producer groups. The paper presents the theoretical basis for developing collective entrepreneurship in rural areas and agricultural producer groups’ current state. The goals and motives for the operation of such producer groups and their benefits are presented. Their formation is the result of integration processes taking place in agriculture, both horizontal and vertical. This study is theoretical, based on the literature and the analysis of legal structures and desk research with secondary sources of information from the Agency for the Restructuring andModernization of Agriculture. The issues discussed constitute a starting point for further research.