Farms In Poland Research Articles

Care farm as a chance for social services for the silver generation

Background: The article presents results of my research on the state of knowledge and people’s readiness to run a care farm. Research objectives: The article scrutinizes care farm as forms of providing social services in rural areas as well as preparing people and institutions to conduct this type of activity. The text stems from a fragment of own research commissioned by Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in 2022. The study aimed to provide knowledge about the demand for advisory and training services for people running care farms in Poland and people planning to start this type of business. Research design and methods: I conducted the study using a survey. I prepared three survey questionnaires and addressed them to people running or intending to establish a care farm (78), Agricultural Advisory Centers (190), regional social policy centers, and social economy support centers (18). Apart from the groups indicated above, the study included local government units (social welfare centers, district family assistance centers, district labor office), Agricultural Advisory Centers in part relating to care farms, people engaged in activities other than agricultural (agritourism farm with the potential to run a care farm, horse riding and hippotherapy activities, family social welfare home), and a social enterprise. Results: The main results show the problem of an insufficient number of entities providing care services (61.1% of respondents). However, a care farm can successfully provide social services, including care services (94.4% of respondents), and 88.9% of respondents indicated their significant role in the deinstitutionalization of social services. Conclusions: Respondents expectations concern support in the form of training on topics related to the creation and operation of care farms, running and managing this type of institution, care services, and an elderly caretaker course. In turn, the advice should concern searching for financing sources and legal aspects of the care farms functioning – which is consistent with the support offered by Agricultural Advisory Centers – submitting offers in public procurement, and concluding contracts for the provision of services. Further barriers arise from the poor level of knowledge about care farms among more than half of the surveyed Regional Centers for Social Policy and Social Economy Support Centers as well as low or no knowledge of the GROWID project in this group of respondents.

Gut parasites of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) raised in Poland.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in alpacas on selected farms in Poland. In July and August 2019 and August 2021, 223 samples from six commercial farms were examined using coproscopic techniques. The total percentage of alpacas infected with intestinal parasites was 57.7%. Eggs of Nematodirus sp. were found in 28.9%, Trichostrongylus sp. in 15.5%, Strongyloides sp. in 13.4%, Camelostrongylus sp. in 11.3%, other strongyle-type in 12.4%, Trichuris sp. in 3.1%, Capillaria spp. in 2.1%, Oesophagostomum sp. in 1.0% and eggs of Moniezia sp. in 1.0% of individuals. Oocysts of Eimeria macusaniensis were found in 8.2%, Eimeria sp. in 4.1%, and Cryptosporidium sp. in 3.1% of animals. Redundancy analysis showed that parasites and their number in faeces were related to the individual's country of origin, sex and age. Females had significantly more eggs of parasites than males. More significant parasite infection was recorded in younger individuals. Moreover, the most infected were individuals from Germany. Some of the described parasites in tested alpacas have zoonotic potential. Due to the possibility of introducing parasites native to alpacas and acquiring species parasitising wild and farmed animals in Europe, permanent veterinary monitoring of animals imported from other regions is necessary.

FARMERS’ HOUSEHOLD SAVINGS COMPARED TO SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS GROUPS

The aim of the article is to diagnose the dynamics of household savings among farmers in Poland in comparison to other social groups of households. The study attempts to relate empirical findings to selected income theories. Data from the household budgets of the Central Statistical Office (GUS) were used in this analysis. It was found that the existing theories do not correspond to the savings behaviors of farming households. It can be stated that only the integration of the permanent income theory, Modigliani and Brumberg’s life-cycle hypothesis, and the relative income theory would provide an interesting alternative. Savings in farming households increased and were generally higher in the analysed years compared to households overall and wage-earning households, despite lower income levels. However, the income levels were generally lower, which means that the propensity to save is relatively high among farming households. Farming households differ from households overall and wage-earning households in that part of the accumulated savings is allocated to financing investments or current expenses in the farm. As a result, this motivates the heads of these households to save, given the widespread aversion to increasing risk associated with using external sources of financing (credits).

The Impact of Agricultural Investments on the Economic Efficiency of Production Factors: An Empirical Study of the Wielkopolska Voivodeship

The functioning and development of each economic entity requires the implementation of investments. In the case of farms in Poland, which are characterised by structural problems and a lack of capital, it is essential to undertake investment activities of a modern nature. The main objective of this research was to assess agricultural investments made in farms, considering the example of the Wielkopolska Voivodship in Poland, from the point of view of their impacts on changes in the economic efficiency of production factors. The data source was unpublished individual data from the agricultural accounting “Polish FADN” results for all farms in the Wielkopolska Voivodship who had continuously participated in the data collection system from 2009 to 2021. The project’s complexity was determined by measuring the scale of investments, relating the sum of investment expenditures to the average annual value of fixed assets (reduced by land value). Farmers endowed with a greater asset base had the ability to invest more comprehensively (i.e., in their most desirable scale regarding the value of possessed fixed assets) in a manner primarily concerning the value of fixed assets, especially the agricultural area, as a primary agricultural production factor. In terms of the effects of differentiating the scale of investment outlays (which was the aim of the study), a better initial state allowed farms to increase their area significantly, with an average annual rate of change of 3%. On the other hand, a lack of investment led to the decapitalisation of assets (−6.7% per year), which also concerned land sales (−1.5% per year). These research results indicate that not only does the undertaking of investments, in general, impact the development possibilities of farms—and, therefore, improvements in the resource situation of farms—but also the scale of investment (with respect to the value of possessed fixed assets).

Serotypes, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Potential Mechanisms of Resistance Gene Transfer in Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae Strains from Waterfowl in Poland.

Erysipelas is a significant problem in the waterfowl farming in Poland, and information on the characteristics of the Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae strains causing this disease is limited. In this study, we determined the serotypes, antimicrobial susceptibility, and potential mechanisms of resistance gene transfer in E. rhusiopathiae isolates (n = 60) from domestic geese and ducks. We also developed a multiplex PCR for the detection of resistance genes. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was assessed using the broth microdilution method. Resistance genes, integrative conjugative element (ICE)-specific genes, phage-specific genes, and serotype determinants were detected by PCR. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed for selected resistant strains. The comparative analyses included 260 E. rhusiopathiae strains whose whole genome sequences (WGSs) are publicly available. E. rhusiopathiae isolates represented 7 serotypes, among which serotypes 5 (38.3%) and 1b (28.3%) were the most common. All strains were susceptible to β-lactams, and the vast majority of them were resistant to tetracycline (85%) and enrofloxacin (80%). The percentages of isolates resistant to other antimicrobials used ranged from 3.3% to 16.7%. Ten isolates (16.7%) were found to be multidrug resistant (MDR). The genotypic resistance profiles of the E. rhusiopathiae strains corresponded to their phenotypic resistance, and the amplification patterns obtained using the 10-plex PCR developed in this study were fully consistent with the results of single PCRs. The most prevalent resistance gene was tetM. In enrofloxacin-resistant strains, nonsynonymous mutations in the gyrA and parC genes were identified. The presence of ICE-specific genes was confirmed in resistant strains, and in MDR isolates of serotype 8 that represented sequence type (ST) 113, prophage DNA (Javan630-like) linked to the lsaE gene was additionally detected. The results indicate that β-lactam antibiotics should be the first choice for the treatment of waterfowl erysipelas in Poland. ICEs, including a transposon from the Tn916/Tn1545 family, and bacteriophages are most likely responsible for the transfer of resistance genes in E. rhusiopathiae.

Impact of climate change on agriculture in Poland

Abstract Agriculture, on the one hand, emits greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change, and on the other hand, it is the sector which is most affected by the progressing climate change. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of climate change on agriculture and to identify measures adapting agriculture in Poland to changing climatic conditions. The sources of information were legal acts, reports and documents of international institutions, as well as literature on the subject. The study analysed the impact of climate change effects on the conditions of conducting and the volume of agricultural production in global, European and national terms. The analysis showed that progressive climate change and its impact on changing agricultural production conditions threaten the productivity of agriculture, and thus limit the provision of food security. The dynamics of these changes, the extensive scope of threats and the strength of their negative impact prompt adaptation measures. Adaptation measures, the implementation of which enables adaptation to the current and expected climate and its impacts, have been identified.

Legal and Economic Conditions for Running a Care Farm: A Polish Case Study

The purpose of this paper is to present the situation of Polish care farms in the context of legal and economic conditions. The need to analyze this topic arises from the current lack of literature that has synthetically addressed the challenges posed by the ageing population in the European Union, including in Poland. The research gap revealed by the authors is especially prominent when it comes to aspects related to the setting up and running of care farms in Poland. Therefore, this paper analyzes the legal forms of establishing a care farm. Next, it discusses the economic aspects of how care farms operate. Based on research materials, especially including those retrieved through the use of the formal dogmatic approach, the authors determined the formal conditions for the setting up and successive running of care farms. The authors have analyzed with the help of formal dogma the forms of running care farms in Poland referring to the current legislation, as well as the position presented in the literature. Also, due to the method used in analyzing the materials collected in this study, the authors have presented their views on how to finance such facilities. Findings from this research confirm that Polish care farms have promising outlooks as they respond to the changing needs of an ageing society. Moreover, as a result of the formal dogmatics method used, it was found that in Poland the most common form of running a care farm is an association. This is because the establishment of an association does not require the fulfillment of many legal criteria as is the case with a sole proprietorship. For this reason, those interested in starting a care farm may opt for the association form.

TRANSITION AND REGIONAL DIFFERENTIATION OF THE AREA STRUCTURE OF FARMS IN POLANDarea structure of farms, agrarian transformation, regional variation, panel models, succession

The aim of the study was to identify and assess the transformations and regional differentiation of the area structure of farms in Poland. The primary source of data was information collected from the Central Statistical Office (CSO) on the basis of the results of the 2002, 2010 and 2020 Agricultural Censuses and the CSO’s Local Data Bank. The research was carried out on a voivodeship basis. In the study, econometric models were constructed and subjected to detailed verification, the dependent variable being the average area of the farm in hectares of agricultural land. The dependent variable was compared with 16 independent variables, which were selected because of their information potential and discriminatory ability. To explain the reasons for this variation, it was decided to use a model for panel data with constant effects. Lagrange and Hausman tests were used to verify them. The analysis showed that in the period studied, the most important factor adversely affecting the level of the area structure of farms in Poland was the labor resources in agriculture. The factors that accelerated the changes in the area structure also included the rate of succession and the level of education of farm managers.

IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND DEBT CAPITAL IN FINANCING INVESTMENTS IN POLISH AGRICULTURE IN 2004-2022

The article assesses the importance of public funds and debt capital in financing investment outlays in agriculture in Poland in 2004-2022. The analysis used statistical data on inputs of production factors in agriculture, in particular investment outlays, as well as budget expenditure on agriculture, farmers’ credit indebtedness and leasing of agricultural machinery. The analysis included both nominal values and values adjusted for the CPI index. It has been shown that capital expenditure in agriculture increased in the years 2004-2022, including nominal and real investment expenditure. During the period under study, the importance of public funds, from the national budget and European funds, in financing agriculture increased. This also applied to investments in agricultural farms. In 2004-2019, a dynamic increase in investment outlays financed in the form of bank loans and leasing could also be observed. A positive correlation was demonstrated between investment expenditure in agriculture and the level of budget expenditure on agriculture and farmers’ credit indebtedness. In the last years of the period under review, i.e. 2020-2022, a decrease in the share of external capitals in the form of long-term bank loans and leasing in financing fixed assets in agriculture was observed.

The Potential Diversity of Agricultural Biomass in the Context of the Organization of Agricultural Production and Circular Agriculture in Poland

Agriculture is one of the key sectors of the economy, but it also generates many residues and waste that are only partially used (as, for example, feed, litter, and fertilizer). The resulting residues and waste can be valuable components for other sectors of the economy (e.g., energy), contributing to the implementation of a circular economy. The main aim of the research is to assess the diversity of the biomass potential from agricultural residues in the context of the level of organization of agricultural production and circular agriculture in Poland at the local level (314 counties). The level of organization of agricultural production was determined using the synthetic measure based on four variables (average farm size, number of tractors per farm, share of farms producing for the market, and the number of AWU per 100 ha of UAA). The potential of agricultural biomass was estimated on the basis of existing surpluses of straw, hay, energy crops grown on marginal lands, and residues from orchard maintenance. The data came from the General Agricultural Census conducted by the Polish Statistical Office in 2020. The conducted research showed that over 75% of counties are characterized by a high and medium level of organization of agricultural production. However, unused biomass resources from agricultural production residues are common (2/3 of counties are characterized by high and medium potential). There is a positive relationship between the level of biomass potential from agricultural residues and the level of organization of agricultural production at the local level in Poland, but the strength of this relationship is weak.

Polish Dairy Farm Transformations and Competitiveness 20 Years after Poland's Accession to the European Union.

Poland is one of the leading milk producers in the EU, being the fifth largest after countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands. From Poland's accession to the European Union in 2004 up to 2022, Polish milk production experienced dynamic development. In this, there occurred a strong decline in the number of dairy farms (by -78%) and the number of cows (by -21%), an increase in dairy herd size (3.5 times) and increase in milk production (+60%) and milk yield per cow (by +62%). These were among the highest growth dynamics among the analysed countries. As a result of this significant transformation, Poland maintained an important position in milk exports, with a 31% export share in production in 2022. The scale of milk production was the basic factor determining the efficiency and competitiveness of dairy farms in Poland. Milk yield, farmland productivity, labour productivity, milk price, and the Corrected Competitiveness Index (based on labour and land opportunity costs) all showed a positive relationship with cow herd size on the farm. Milk production is highly uncompetitive for smaller farms (<15 cows). Despite substantial public support, the smaller farms, where subsidies equal up to 47% of total production value, could not earn sufficient income to cover the cost of capital, risk, and management in 2008, and even more so in 2021. This is because the farm income is too small to cover the extremely high opportunity cost of labour. The larger farms (with 30 cows and more) are competitive and responsible for the majority (~60-70%) of milk produced and delivered to the market. The most challenging from the sectoral policy point of view are medium farms (10-29 cows), whose share in production and deliveries is still important. To survive as economically viable units, these farms have to increase in scale and improve productivity. Otherwise, they will be gradually supplanted by larger farms.

First molecular detection of Brachyspira hampsonii on pig farms in Poland.

Nowadays, the three strongly beta-haemolytic spirochaetes, Brachyspira hyodysenteriae, Brachyspira suanatina and Brachyspira hampsonii are thought to be causative agents of swine dysentery, an economically devastating disease of grow-finish pigs characterised by severe mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea. B. hyodysenteriae has been reported in most leading swine-producing regions. B. suanatina and B. hampsonii have been successfully recovered from faecal samples collected in a few countries only. Thepresent study was performed in March 2023 on faecal samples originating from nine Polish finisher farms with 6,000 to 18,000 animals in a location. Samples were obtained from 40 diarrhoeic finishers. Nucleic acid extracted from the samples was analysed using multiplex PCR for Brachyspira spp. From a total of nine sample populations examined in our study, the genetic material of B. hampsonii was identified in two. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on molecular detection of B. hampsonii on pig farms outside North America, Belgium and Germany. Our research highlights the need for increased focus directed on laboratory testing strategies, the lack of which may perplex swine practitioners and severely hinder a definite diagnosis.

Nutritional Value and Technological Parameters of Milk From Organic and Conventional Farms in Poland

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the nutritional value and technological parameters of milk produced in organic and conventional farming systems, taking into account the breeds of cow, feeding system, and season of production in Poland. A total of 413 milk samples were analysed, of which 220 were from Simmental cows raised on organic farms and 193 were from conventional farms, including 64 from Polish Black-and-White cows fed in a traditional system, as well as 65 from Simmental cows and 64 from Holstein-Friesian cows fed in a TMR (Total Mixed Ration) system. The milk was analysed for content of fat, protein, lactose, and urea; somatic cell count; suitability for processing (active and titratable acidity, casein content, protein-to-fat ratio, heat stability, and rennet coagulation); and content of biologically active substances (whey proteins, fatty acids, and macro- and microelements). Simmental cows from organic farms had the lowest daily milk yield, with the lowest concentrations of basic nutrients. However, it was a richer source of α-lactalbumin, lactoferrin and lysozyme and had the highest content of PUFA s. It also had a favourable protein-to-fat ratio and the shortest rennet clotting time, but it contained less Ca, Mg and Zn than milk from farms using a TMR system. The season of production had a greater influence on the composition, nutritional value and technological parameters of milk from farms using traditional feeding, including organic farms, compared to those using a TMR diet. Milk from organic farms obtained in the summer season contained more dry matter, including total protein, β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, and lysozyme. It was also characterised by a more preferable fatty acid profile, i.e. lower content of SFA and higher of UFA, including MUFA and PUFA . In turn, milk from the winter season contained more fat and showed better heat stability. At farms using traditional feeding regimens, both organic and conventional, the production period had a more significant impact on the differentiation of the content of mineral components in milk (mainly macroelements).

Impact of the financial assistance provided as part of the Rural Development Programme on the state of organic farming in Poland in the years 2014–2022

Impact of the financial assistance provided as part of the Rural Development Programme on the state of organic farming in Poland in the years 2014–2022

The European Green Deal and the Opportunities and Risks of Organic Farming in Poland

The European Green Deal and the Opportunities and Risks of Organic Farming in Poland

Organic Farming in Poland: Conditions and Directions of Development

Organic Farming in Poland: Conditions and Directions of Development

Site Selection of Wind Farms in Poland: Combining Theory with Reality

Site Selection of Wind Farms in Poland: Combining Theory with Reality

IDENTIFICATION OF DIFFERENCES IN THE SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF FARMS PARTICIPATING AND NOT ARTICIPATING IN SHORT FOOD SUPPLY CHAINS. EMPIRICAL STUDY IN POLAND

The main aim of the research was to identify the differences in socio-demographic characteristics between managers of small farms in Poland who do and do not participate in short food supply chains (SFSCs). The analysis was based on the results of a survey conducted in 2023 among 199 respondents – farmers in Poland. Selected social and demographic variables were analysed. For the demographic ones, there were used: gender, age, education of the farm manager, and number of members on the farm. In turn, the level of social capital characterising farmers was described by participation in continuing education, participation in organizations, cooperatives, associations, clubs, etc., and participation in events, concerts, festivals, etc. A chi-square Pearson’s test of independence was used to compare two groups of farms in terms of the analysed variables. The strength of the relationships was measured using the V-Cramer convergence coefficient. Research revealed that among the social and demographic variables, gender and education were significant. Hence, among farms participating in the SFSCs, there were significantly more farms owned and managed by women and managers of those farms were better educated than managers of farms not participating in the SFSCs. Moreover higher level of social capital, particularly perceived through the involvement of farm owners or members of a household in lifelong education and membership in organisations, cooperatives, or associations was also a distinguishing feature of farms participating in the SFSCs.

Considering the development of organic farming in Poland at different territorial aggregation levels

The aim of this paper is to show and assess how the level of data aggregation can change the way the development of organic agriculture in Poland in 2014–2021 is perceived. A composite indicator of eco-farming at different levels of territorial aggregation and in different time horizons has been built taking into account sub-components and individual indicators. The performance of organic agriculture with the initial effects of the pandemic (for 2020–2021) was also quantified. The results showed that, in populationally larger territorial units (NUTS-1, NUTS-2, NUTS-3), organic farming characteristics are less variable, whereas the same characteristics show greater variability in smaller territorial units (LAU-1, LAU-2). This reflects the strong regional character of eco-agriculture. It can be observed especially in northern and south-eastern Poland. Moreover, although the highest performance of organic farming was observed in 2021, the effects of the pandemic crisis were highly heterogeneous by location. The results may be crucial for farmers and policymakers in planning sustainable agricultural strategies and building resilient organic regions.

RELATIONSHIP OF THE SCALE OF INVESTMENT AND CHANGE IN FIXED ASSETS ON FARMS IN THE WIELKOPOLSKA PROVINCE

The operation and development of any economic entity require the implementation of investments. In the case of farms in Poland, characterized by inadequate capital and structural problems, it is particularly necessary to undertake investment activities to modernize the farms. The main purpose of the study was to evaluate agricultural investments made on farms in the Wielkopolska Voivodeship. The analysis is based on unpublished data of the individual results registered in the Polish FADN for the farms which continuously participated in the system of agricultural accounting from 2009 to 2021. Measuring the scale of investments, the comprehensiveness of the implemented investments was determined by relating the sum of investment expenditures to the average annual size of fixed assets (reduced by the value of land). The results confirm that the initial level of farm resources strongly impact the capacity for development. The size of the farm, measured by the area of utilised agriculture area, determines the incurring of an appropriate and relatively stable amount of investment in subsequent years of operation. The results of the study indicate that not only the implementation of investments in general but also their scale (in relation to the value of assets) determines the development capabilities of farms and, therefore, the improvement of the farms’ resources.