Rola Centrum Doradztwa Rolniczego w Brwinowie oraz jego oddziałów w rozwoju przedsiębiorczości wiejskiej

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to analyse the Agricultural Advisory Centre (CDR) activities in terms of multifunctional development of rural areas. Socio-economic and demographic factors occurring in rural areas cause that agriculture has increasingly smaller share in rural economy. There are now two groups of farms: commercial farms and small farms producing mainly for their own needs and functioning by taking additional measures, working in other sectors and receiving support from the European Union aid funds. This second type of farms as well as people engaged in them – are the target group of the CDR activities in order to develop rural entrepreneurship, creating new solutions and implementing them into practice. There are some specific barriers in the area of on-agricultural economic activity development in rural areas. Agricultural Advisory Centre (especially Branch Office in Cracow) tries to reduce the influence of these negative factors. The main task of CDR is to train agricultural advisors. In addition, the Centre works directly with farmers, rural residents and employees / members of the LAG. This work is realized through conferences, complex projects, training and publications and websites about rural entrepreneurship. CDR, together with the University of Agriculture in Krakow, is co-organizer of the international conference on small farms. CDR prepares National Agritourism Symposium for two decades. Idea of the creation of National Network of Educational Farms was also born thanks to CDR Branch Office in Krakow. Network (acting at the CDR) disseminates and promotes the idea of education in farms. We implement projects promoting the idea of direct sales and direct marketing, treating them as an opportunity for significant additional source of income for farmers. Similarly, Branch Office in Radom offers farmers interested in processing at farm level, the possibility of practical training in this area in its Centre for Practical Training in the Field of Little Processing. We also try to encourage farmers to cooperate by research projects and informing people in the field of agricultural co-operatives and social enterprise. We train agricultural advisors in business planning, law and taxes. Our training and promotional activities also involves: the presentation of good practices, promoting innovation and creativity in the development of rural entrepreneurship, the use of innovative tools and stimulation forms of entrepreneurship. Special role is played by the competition „Way to success” organized annually by the CDR, under the patronage of the President of Poland. Rola Centrum Doradztwa Rolniczego w Brwinowie oraz jego oddzialow w rozwoju... 7 Problemy Drobnych Gospodarstw Rolnych – Problems of Small Agricultural Holdings • Nr – No. 2 • 2016 Agricultural Advisory Centre wants to make use of its perennial experience to have positive impact on multifunctional development of rural areas, together with other parts of agricultural advisory system.