Farms In Poland Research Articles

Eco-efficiency of small-scale farming in Poland and its institutional drivers

The concept of eco-efficiency, which can be defined as the simultaneous ability to achieve economic results with the least possible degradation of the environment, has recently become a subject of lively discussion among politicians and scientists. It has also been discussed in the context of small-scale arable farms. Central and Eastern European countries, including Poland, fit perfectly into the issue of small-scale farms eco-efficiency due to their relatively high share in the total number of farms. The implementation of the sustainable agriculture model, however, would not be possible without an efficient institutional environment. Thus, the main objective of this paper is to assess the eco-efficiency of small-scale farms in Poland and to identify the relationship between eco-efficiency and institutional variables according to the framework of New Institutional Economics. The novelty of our approach is that it uses the modified and extended concept of the eco-efficiency, which on the output side includes proxy variables of environmental public goods. As a part of the research procedure, a two-stage analysis was conducted. Firstly, radial eco-efficiency scores and slacks for individual effects were estimated using non-parametric Data Envelopment Analysis. Secondly, the relationship between eco-efficiency and institutional explanatory variables was identified based on the double-bootstrapped truncated regression model according to Simar and Wilson procedure. The most eco-efficient farms were those with a relatively larger area, for which agriculture was the main source of income, which used some form of contracting when selling products, which primarily supplied themselves with inputs, and which specialized in permanent and horticultural crops.

Trends in the Development of Organic Farming in Poland and Latvia Compared to the EU

Abstract The development of organic farming is determined by many factors. On the one hand, it is an increase in demand for food produced in this production system, on the other it is a subsidy system for organic farming under the CAP. The purpose of the article is a comparative analysis of the direction of changes in the development of organic farming in Poland and Latvia compared to the EU in the years 2000-2017. Information was analysed on the organic farming i.e. the area of organic crops, the number of certified farms and organic retail sales, based on FIBL data from the years 2000–2017. An analysis of the trend of changes in organic farming in Poland and Latvia indicates that the development of organic farming in both countries has clearly accelerated after their accession to the EU and after covering organic farming by the CAP support system. However, the case of Poland is definitely different from the trend of changes in organic farming in Latvia and in the EU, where both the number of organic farms and their area increased, with the simultaneous development of the organic food market. There are many indications that mistakes were made in the organic farming subsidy system.

Social Values in Stimulating Organic Production Involvement in Farming—The Case of Poland

The main research problem discussed in this paper involves evaluation of the motives of agricultural producers for pursuing and developing organic production. The aim of this study is to identify and evaluate the role of social values in stimulating decisions of involvement in organic production. Analytical observations were conducted on the basis of responses to surveys on a nation-representative sample in Poland (350 conventional farms and 70 organic farms in 2011; 260 conventional farms and 65 organic farms in 2019). Analyses were conducted in relation to the potential and perspectives for development of organic farming. They were focused on identifying the original motives for such decisions (incentives and disincentives). This allowed for effective evaluation of both the trend and the pace of the studied processes. The development potential of organic farming in Poland was estimated at 5–15% of the total number of farms. The most important factors encouraging farmers to take up production are associated with social values (care for the natural environment and family health). A significant chance for the development of organic production is the expected demand growth, which is also related to social values: the increasing environmental awareness and environmental change of consumption patterns.

Ecologistics as an integral element of the sustainable development of farms in Poland

In the era of growing competitiveness and searching for ways to better use the available resources, their optimal use in Polish farms becomes the direction that determines their activities. The changing market and legal environment forces Polish farmers to look for new solutions. The law also dictates the methods of achieving the development of these entities. One of the basic trends indicated in the law is the development of all Polish entities based on the assumptions contained in the concept of sustainable development. Therefore, it seems reasonable to implement logistic and ecologistic strategies on Polish farms. The article presents the basic issues related to the implementation of ecologistic concepts in Polish farms and the factors determining their development. The article presents the current state of awareness in Polish farms related to the implementation of sustainable development in these entities based on logistic and ecologistic tools.

Aronia melanocarpa Fruits as a Rich Dietary Source of Chlorogenic Acids and Anthocyanins: 1H-NMR, HPLC-DAD, and Chemometric Studies.

Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott’s (chokeberry) besides anthocyanins contains significant amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids: Chlorogenic and its isomer neochlorogenic acid. They exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and antibacterial activities, thus they can have a significant impact on the health-promoting properties of Aronia. The aim of our research was to determine the changes in the content of chlorogenic acids (CGAs) and anthocyanins during fruit development and ripening, with a particular emphasis on acids. Aronia fruit samples were collected from July to October on two organic farms in Poland. The chemical composition of the extracts was determined by NMR spectroscopy and HPLC-DAD. 1H-NMR and HPLC data were analyzed using chemometric analysis and multivariate statistics (PCA). The results showed that the content of chlorogenic acids and anthocyanins changes during ripening and depends on the time of harvest and the region of cultivation. A correlation between the time of CGAs reduction and the appearance of anthocyanins was also noticed. The result of our research was also a database in the form of NMR parameters, which allows analysis of the metabolite profile and tracking of its changes. The 1H-NMR spectrum showing anthocyanin and CGA resonance can be considered the Aronia berry fingerprint.

Food Insecurity among Small-Scale Farmers in Poland

The problem of food insecurity is generally associated with developing countries, but at the household level it also occurs in developed countries, especially in socially vulnerable groups, such as small-scale farms. However, the issue of food insecurity in developed countries, especially at the household level, is rather neglected in the scientific literature. This study was conducted to fill this gap and examine the level of food insecurity among small-scale farms in Poland. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire from 710 small-scale farms in Poland. The incidence and degree of food insecurity was measured with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS). The study found that about 43% of the respondents were exposed to food insecurity, including almost 9% to severe food insecurity, which is well above the average for the entire Polish population. By applying cross-tabulation and the zero-inflated Poisson regression model, the study found that the higher age and secondary or higher education of the farm manager, having children in the household and higher land productivity have a statistically significant negative influence on households’ food insecurity (i.e., decreased HFIAS score). On the contrary, family size of five or more and production type “permanent crops” and “dairy cows” have a statistically significant positive influence on households’ food insecurity (i.e., increased HFIAS score).

Reproduction Indicators Related to Litter Size and Reproduction Cycle Length Among Sows of Breeds Considered Maternal and Paternal Components Kept on Medium-Size Farms

Simple SummaryPig breeds considered maternal components are bred mainly to improve reproductive traits, while those considered paternal components are bred to improve production traits. These two groups of traits are either negatively or weakly positively correlated. For any breed, however, the key factors affecting the profitability of pig production are a properly conducted reproduction process and proper herd management. This research compared reproduction indicators related to litter size (litter size along with the numbers and percentages of piglets born alive, stillborn, and weaned) and reproduction cycle length (the lengths of gestation, lactation, the weaning-to-conception interval, and the farrowing-to-conception interval) among sows of maternal (Polish Large White, Polish Landrace, and Yorkshire) and paternal (Duroc, Hampshire, and Berkshire) breeds. The pigs were raised on three medium-sized farms, of which two were located in Poland and one in the US. The results suggest that Polish Large White and Polish Landrace sows, both considered maternal components, showed much better performance in terms of reproductive indicators than did the other breeds. Sows of all the breeds had short reproductive cycles, an indicator of intensified production, but also of appropriate herd management.The present research aimed to study twelve reproductive indicators related to litter size and the farrowing interval for three maternal (Polish Large White, Polish Landrace, and Yorkshire) and three paternal (Duroc, Berkshire, Hampshire) breeds, raised on two farms in Poland and a farm in the United States. The study included 196 sows (45 Polish Large White, 37 Polish Landrace, 26 Berkshire, 33 Duroc, 40 Yorkshire, and 15 Hampshire), which altogether gave birth to 736 litters. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used to verify the influence of the breed on the reproductive traits, with a post-hoc procedure for pairwise comparisons implemented in the pgirmes of R. The adegenet, ade4, and factoextra packages of R were used to conduct multivariate analysis of the traits by means of principal component analysis. The breed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) influenced the following traits related to litter size: the total number of piglets born per litter, the number and percentage of piglets born alive per litter, the percentage of stillborn piglets per litter, the number and percentage of weaned piglets per litter; and those related to the farrowing interval: the lengths of gestation, lactation, the farrowing-to-conception interval, and the farrowing interval. The breed did not statistically significantly influence the number of stillborn piglets per litter and the length of the weaning-to-conception interval. Polish Landrace and Polish Large White sows had the highest numbers of born (for both, the mean of 14.0), born alive (12.9 and 12.7), and weaned piglets (11.5 and 10.5), which statistically significantly differed from these parameters in the other breeds. Polish Landrace sows significantly differed from all the other breeds in terms of the percentage of weaned piglets (84.1%), while Berkshire sows in terms of gestation length (118.4 days).

Vegetable and Gardening Tower of Othmar Ruthner in the Voivodeship Park of Culture and Recreation in Chorzów—The First Example of Vertical Farming in Poland

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the possibility of introducing urban vertical agriculture in Poland through the example of the only comprehensively implemented facility of this type so far. Through the example of Othmar Ruthner’s no longer existing vegetable and gardening tower in Chorzów, the benefits and damages resulting from an attempt to construct such facilities are presented. The paper also contains an analysis and an attempt to critically assess the phenomenon of the vertical greenhouse that was built in Poland, along with an attempt to assess the real causes of its failure. Based on source material analysis, examples of implementation, and available literature on the subject, an analysis of the possibilities of transforming the facility at the time of its demolition and now was made. The phenomenon of the vertical farm in Chorzów, as a trace of the contemporary architectural heritage of Upper Silesia, is a topic for a broader discussion about the architectural heritage created by buildings which are not so much industrial as technical, with a role so far only secondary to what we call the main architectural functions.

OPŁACALNOŚĆ UPRAWY ŁUBINU SŁODKIEGO I GROCHU PASTEWNEGO NA TLE WYBRANYCH ZBÓŻ OZIMYCH

The subsidies for legumes introduced in 2010 resulted in an increase in their cultivation area, including the area of sweet lupine and fodder pea. The cultivation of lupine is usually carried out on soils of the rye complex, similarly to winter rye, while the cultivation of peas – on soils of the wheat complex, like winter wheat. Due to similar soil requirements, legumes compete with cereals for the arable land. However, the cultivation of the former is not considered to be very profitable, even after including direct subsidies for cultivation. The purpose of the paper was to determine the production and economic results from the cultivation of the abovementioned legumes and cereals and to compare the profitability of cultivation of sweet lupine in relation to winter rye and fodder pea in relation to winter wheat on selected individual farms in Poland in the years 2015-2017. Profitability of cultivation of the plants was determined primarily using the profitability index of production, which is a percentage relation of the total value of production (excluding direct subsidies) to the total costs. The measure of profitability was also the income from activity without subsidies and income from activity after including subsidies. In the research, we used data from the AGROKOSZTY system, the Polish FADN system and the Central Statistical Office. Vertical and horizontal analysis of the results was used. It was shown that on average in the years 2015-2017, on farms participating in the study of considered plants, the profitability of lupine cultivation, expressed by profitability index, was lower than that of rye, and pea cultivation was slightly higher than that of wheat. In addition, the first income category, which is the gross margin (difference in total production value and direct costs), and one of the last – income from activity without subsidies (difference in total production value and total costs) proved to be in the case of lupine and peas cultivation relatively low compared to cereals competing with them for the same arable land. However, after taking into account the subsidies, cultivation of legumes was more profitable than cultivation of cereals. Therefore, the incentive for cultivation of legumes certainly provides a possibility for receiving subsidies for the area of their cultivation, and also a possibility for receiving subsidies for greening.

Inequality of Income in Agricultural Holdings in Poland in the Context of Sustainable Agricultural Development

The study investigates the redistributive effects of agricultural policy and the importance of income inequalities among agricultural holdings for sustainable agricultural development based on the intra-sectoral differences of the disposable income of farmer households and the income from family agricultural holdings in Poland in the years 2004–2018. The problem of excessive and growing income inequalities in agriculture has been recognized as an important barrier to the sustainable development of agriculture in Poland. The aim of the study is to establish a relationship between the process of income polarization in agriculture and the process of concentration of production factors in this sector, and the level of budget support. The Gini coefficient, concentration index, and multivariate regression analysis were used as research methods. It was shown that the process of the concentration of land and capital has led to an increase in income disparities in this sector. Budgetary expenditure directed to the sector in the form of subsidies supporting farmer incomes was not able to reverse the process of income polarization, but mitigated the growing inequalities (reducing the scale of income spreads).

Innovations in Agritourism: Evidence from a Region in Poland

The objective of the article is to present the study of agritourism innovativeness. The analysis covers agritourism farms in Poland. It is also essential to identify the factors affecting the process of implementing innovation in agritourism. The objective of the article is to formulate conclusions on the impact of innovations on the development of agritourism and the competitiveness of agritourism farms that can be used by representatives of various agritourism-supporting institutions and organizations. A diagnostic survey–study was conducted in 2018, applying a survey questionnaire with a sample of 81 self-employed agritourism farm owners. Ward’s hierarchical clustering method was applied to group the counties in terms of innovativeness. For this purpose, the data provided by the central statistics authority (GUS) and the authors’ own survey study were used. The study confirms, e.g., the key significance of innovation for the development of agritourism in the counties analyzed. Additionally, in the article there is developed an original farm’s competitive positioning index and gaining a competitive advantage on the agritourism services market, with three farms in Germany, France and Poland, respectively as an example.

On the Way to Eco-Innovations in Agriculture: Concepts, Implementation and Effects at National and Local Level. The Case of Poland

The aim of the study was to provide the examples of eco-innovations in agriculture relating to the concept of sustainable development and the indication of their conditions. Quantitative and qualitative methods were applied to the research, namely: descriptive statistical and economic analysis of the Polish Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) data and Statistics Poland data, as well as case studies of organic food producers, covering the years 2005–2019. Indicated information sources, encompassing long time span of analysis and various data collections, allowed presenting the complementary picture of eco-innovations at the sector and farm levels. The research examined the different types of ecological innovations in Polish agriculture, including: (1) organisational innovations with an institutional background (e.g., the organic farming support and greening mechanism of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)—implemented in the family farming sector); and (2) the product, marketing, process and organisational innovations in selected organic farms that were individual farmers’ initiatives. On the one hand, the research documented the effectiveness of new agricultural policy solutions in the agricultural sector that are examples of organisational eco-innovations. During 2005–2016, the certification system, as well as policy support, contributed to the development of organic farms in Poland in terms of the growth in the share of this type of holdings in total (from 0.5% to 4.6%) and in the overall utilised agricultural area (UAA) (from 0.3% to 3.7%). Moreover, during 2014–2015, as a result of the greening in agricultural holdings, the area sown with pulses and papilionaceous, i.e., crops improving soil structure and protecting soils, rose by 174% and 161%, respectively. On the other hand, the case studies conducted showed that the food producers’ knowledge and skills combined with a favourable local economic and social situation, as well as institutional support, played a key role in the process of the emergence of eco-innovations. Among those factors, the respondents’ individual characteristics associated with attitudes towards farming and the social, human and physical capital passed on by family members should be highlighted. This paper contributes to existing literature in two ways. First, this study combines both quantitative and qualitative (including in-depth interviews) approaches to eco-innovations at the micro and macro level of analysis. Second, by differentiating two approaches to ecological innovations, namely the conventional and the sustainable, the article indicates and considers the key factors favourable to the latter.

Issues related to creation of borders of the agricultural production space in land consolidation processes in Poland with consideration of soil, water and agricultural landscape protection

The idea of rural areas development in the European Union has been implemented according to sustainable development rules. This approach is also valid in case of Polish rural areas, in particular when arrangement of borders of the agricultural production space is considered. Changes in density and sizes of farms in Poland exposed and intensified situation when agricultural production resources are not utilised, as well as degradation of the natural environment. From the perspective of the agricultural policy it has been estimated that in Poland the process of land concentration should be combined with the process of reduction of the number of farms. This process is performed in Polish conditions in the form of surveying works - in particular, as land consolidation operations. The necessity to follow the sustainable development rules proved that land consolidation works cover too narrow scope of conventional solutions. This process should not ignore ecological, environmental aspects, as well as other aspects related to spatial arrangement and landscape. The paper will discuss solutions of conventional land consolidation works performed in Poland, their scopes and estimation of demands. The land consolidation process is most important in transformation of the agricultural production space, where the basic objective is to improve the farm organisational space with consideration of environmental protection and landscape arrangements. The paper will also present and characterise the possibilities of solutions in the field of soil, water and agricultural landscape protection from the perspective of land consolidation works performed in Poland.
 Keywords: land consolidation, agricultural production space, borders.

Identification of emerging trends in the prevalence of dermatophytoses in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) farmed in Poland.

The increasing number of dermatophytoses among animals observed recently in developed countries may be connected with relocation of many exotic species outside their natural living environment. Moreover, an impact on this situation may also be exerted by relapses related to limited compliance with antifungal treatment regimes. Many exotic animals, including camelids, imported to European countries are connected with cases of tuberculosis or zoophilic dermatophytoses in humans. In the present study, we identified and comprehensively analysed dermatophyte infections in alpacas from breeding farms in Poland. As part of this study, we determined the prevalence of dermatophyte infections in alpacas. The conventional and molecular mycological diagnostic procedures applied led to unambiguous identification of the aetiological factors of symptomatic dermatophytoses and asymptomatic animals, that is Trichophyton benhamiae and T.verrucosum. Furthermore, the susceptibility tests allowed choosing the best therapeutic option and revealed superior activity of allylamine drugs against all strains. Finally, in the case of strains isolated from symptomatic dermatophytoses, our study revealed a significantly higher virulence level expressed by high activity of chosen enzymes, especially related to keratinolytic and haemolytic activity. In conclusion, this report indicates that farmed alpacas can be a reservoir or vector for contagious zoophilic dermatophyte infection. For this reason, imported animals should be subjected to meticulous monitoring to detect not only symptomatic infections but also asymptomatic animals.

Animal-Based Measures for the On-Farm Welfare Assessment of Geese.

Simple SummaryThis paper aims to identify animal-based measures of geese welfare for birds raised in commercial meat production systems, and to assess the reliability of these measures. As with other livestock production systems, it is important that geese producers can demonstrate compliance with accepted welfare standards. Presently, there are no welfare measures that have been developed specifically for the geese meat industry. The results showed that plumage dirtiness, twisted wings, and broken/twisted wings are valid and reliable measures of goose welfare and can thus be included in on-farm welfare assessment protocols. Future studies should examine the reliability of other animal-based measures.Currently, no specific animal-based measures (ABMs) protocols are available for geese in commercial meat production systems. Following a critical review of the literature and consultation of experts, seven ABMs, potentially valid and feasible for the on-farm welfare assessment of geese, were identified and then tested in 12 farms in Poland to assess their inter-observer reliability. Two observers conducted the assessment, which was divided into two phases. First, a handling test assessed the human–animal relationship (HAR), and a 100% inter-observer reliability was achieved by the observers when evaluating the attitudes of stockpeople and the reactions of geese to humans. Next, an animal inspection was conducted, and the observers simultaneously and independently visually evaluated 100 randomly selected geese per farm and assessed whether the selected ABMs could be identified. In terms of inter-observer reliability, high correlation coefficients were found for plumage dirtiness (ρ = 0.745; p < 0.01), twisted wings (ρ = 0.890; p < 0.001), and broken/twisted wings (ρ = 0.858; p < 0.001). The results showed that plumage dirtiness, twisted wings, and broken/twisted wings are valid and reliable measures. Further research should address the reliability of ABMs of geese in other types of production systems.

Competitiveness of Polish dairy farms in the European Union

This article analyses the competitiveness of dairy farms in Poland in relation to selected EU countries. The competitive advantage of dairy farms was evaluated and compared based on remuneration for family labour. Two variants of the above indicator were calculated: (1) Remuneration for family labour (FL1) as the relationship between farm net income and the farmer’s unpaid labour input, and (2) Remuneration for family labour (FL2) as the relationship between farm net income minus the opportunity costs of own land and capital to the farmer’s unpaid labour input. The calculations were performed based on EU FADN (European Union Farm Accountancy Data Network) data for an average dairy farm in 2005, 2010 and 2016. The study revealed the highest average remuneration for family labour (FL1) in Irish and German dairy farms. The value of the second indicator (FL2) was also highest in Germany, followed by France. The analysis produced interesting results regarding dairy farms in Denmark and the Netherlands which were characterised by the highest scale of production in the evaluated period (high net value added), but very low farm incomes and remuneration for family labour. The study revealed that Polish dairy farms were characterised by average competitiveness relative.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Cultivation of Plants Used for Biofuel Production in Poland

A reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as well as an increase in the share of renewable energy are the main objectives of EU energy policy. In Poland, biofuels play an important role in the structure of obtaining energy from renewable sources. In the case of biofuels obtained from agricultural raw materials, one of the significant components of emissions generated in their full life cycle is emissions from the cultivation stage. The aim of the study is to estimate and recognize the structure of GHG emission from biomass production in selected farms in Poland. For this purpose, the methodology that was recommended by the Polish certification system of sustainable biofuels and bioliquids production, as approved by the European Commission, was used. The calculated emission values vary between 41.5 kg CO2eq/t and 147.2 kg CO2eq/t dry matter. The highest average emissions were obtained for wheat (103.6 kg CO2eq/t), followed by maize (100.5 kg CO2eq/t), triticale (95.4 kg CO2eq/t), and rye (72.5 kg CO2eq/t). The greatest impact on the total GHG emissions from biomass production is caused by field emissions of nitrous oxide and emissions from the production and transport of fertilizers and agrochemicals. Emissions that were generated at the stage of production, storage, and transport of seeds and during the use of fuels in agricultural and forestry machinery have a significantly smaller share in the total GHG emissions from biomass production.

INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC FARMING IN POLAND

The purpose of this paper is to identify and describe institutional barriers to the development of organic farming in Poland. As a secondary objective, this paper seeks feedback from organic farmers on measures taken by the institutional environment to promote the development of organic farming. This paper is based on literature reviews and selected findings from empirical research carried out in 2019 with 262 organic farms. The sample used in this study was representative of the general population of certified organic farms. The survey was a CAWI. The study found that organic farming faces many barriers, with frequent amendments to regulations being of key importance. This destabilizes and adds uncertainty to the functioning of organic farms. Another significant barrier are the high standards of organic production and low levels of financial and non-financial support. To a certain extent, these barriers result from the inefficiency of institutions surrounding organic farming. As a consequence, they are considered to poorly contribute to organic farming development.

Development of organic farming in Poland over the period of 2004-2018

1. Barłowska J., Wolanciuk A., Idec J., 2017. Organic farming in Poland against the background of the European Union and the World (in Polish). Przegląd Hodowlany, 2, 1-4. Google Scholar

STIMULATING INNOVATIVENESS IN RURAL AREAS AS PART OF THE “COOPERATION” MEASURE WITH THE ANCIENT GRAIN OPERATIONAL GROUP – A CASE STUDY

The article aims at a preliminary evaluation of the performance of the “Cooperation” measure as part of PROW 2014-2020 which is to support innovativeness in the agri-food sector by accelerating the transfer of knowledge from scientific research institutions and the cooperation of farmers with consulting institutions, entrepreneurs and various social partners. Rural areas in Poland are a place of abode of a large part of society and agriculture is an important sector of the national economy. A serious problem of many agricultural family farms in Poland is low competitiveness on the international market of agricultural producers. It comes from e.g. no possibility of competing with large-size farms, which can benefit from the effect of the scale of production and which, frequently, enjoy better access to consulting, market and process information. The response to these problems can be provided by integration (horizontal and vertical) and triggering the innovativeness processes throughout the agribusiness sector. Two application acceptance dates, so far, addressed at Operational Groups have shown great innovative potential of Polish agriculture and a growing interest of scientists and entrepreneurs in innovations. A perfect example of such an Operational Group EPI is Ancient Grain, where innovation is a response to market needs and is to support food quality enhancement by optimising crop technology, processing and effective marketing. The aim of the operation is to launch the cultivation of original forms of wheat cultivars (Indian dwarf wheat and Persian wheat) with a higher nutritional value. The preliminary research results confirm that such wheat forms show a high content of macro- and microelements as well as essential amino acids and that consumers demonstrate much interest in the foodstuff to be developed based on these wheat forms.