Multifunctional Development Of Rural Areas Research Articles

Models of farms in spatial terms in sustainable and multifunctional development of rural areas in Poland

AbstractThe study aimed primarily to develop spatial farm models in sustainable and multifunctional development of rural areas. The secondary objective was to define the matrix of possible farm models, visualize their dislocation, and recommend multifunctional rural development. It was assumed that the types of model farms depend on the criteria that make it possible to assess the agricultural development potential and the size of agricultural production. Thus, it was assumed that agricultural production conditions influence the farm model but are not always of crucial importance. There are many possibilities for developing various production activities that are not strictly related to agricultural production conditions. The research was carried out with the GIS tool using multi‐criteria and spatial analysis techniques. The research made it possible to determine the models of farms in the rural areas in a specific region, however, the proposed model is suitable for use in other regions or countries.

Перспективи комплексного розвитку сільських територій

Abstract. Introduction. In the conditions of modern challenges and threats, ensuring the integrated development of rural areas, aimed at creating jobs, improving infrastructure and living conditions of the rural population, is a strategic goal under the conditions of partnership of community members, businesses and local government bodies. Comprehensive development of rural areas aimed at stable development of agricultural production, improvement of living and working conditions of the rural population, preservation of the natural environment is a major component in the development of the agricultural sector of the country's economy. Purpose. Formulated and substantiated scientific provisions, conclusions and practical recommendations are the basis of increasing the effectiveness of the functioning of rural territorial communities based on the complexity of economic, social, ecological and institutional development. Results. It was determined that the comprehensive development of rural areas is a process of stable functioning of rural territorial communities through ensuring the effective development of economic, social, ecological, settlement components based on the use of local resources (labor, land, water, forest, mineral, etc.). It was established that the main directions of ensuring the development of rural areas are the development of agricultural production, the organization of enterprises for the processing of agricultural products and local raw materials, and the production of food products, biofuel, building materials, etc. Agricultural service cooperatives should become important elements of the rural economy. Indicators of the effectiveness of integrated development of rural areas can be: increase in the efficiency of agricultural production; diversification of the rural economy; food security of the country; natural growth of the rural population; raising the level and quality of life in the countryside; improvement of soil fertility and ecological situation in rural territorial communities. Conclusions. The basis of the comprehensive multifunctional development of rural areas is the diversification and modernization of the rural economy, the development of non-agricultural activities that will qualitatively change the rural environment, expand the scope of employment as the main condition for the establishment of youth in the countryside and the preservation of the labor potential of rural territorial communities.

Silver Tourism Economy in Rural Areas in Poland: A Fad or a Permanent Element?

Purpose: The silver tourism economy means an economic system aimed at actively using the human and social capital of older adults to develop rural tourism. This paper aims to identify the supply and demand factors that favor this economy. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study used several complementary research methods. Following the methodological principle of triangulation, the method of secondary source analysis was adopted in the empirical studies in the form of reports from national surveys conducted in rural areas in Poland on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. The results of these surveys are nationally representative. Statistical data published by Statistics Poland (former Central Statistical Office) was used. Finding: The silver economy in rural tourism is an essential example of non-agricultural activity and a strategy for the multifunctional development of rural areas in Poland. The paper points out the economic level of the tourism function of rural areas, which forms the supply and demand side of this economy. The importance of the elements of the human and social capital of older adults that promote the supply and demand of rural tourism is presented quantitatively and qualitatively. The utility value of the silver tourism economy at the commercial, non-commercial, and subjective and objective levels was highlighted. Practical Implications: The presented explorations have cognitive and practical value. The adopted elements of the human and social capital of older adults can be helpful in the analysis of the supply and demand of rural tourism included in local socio-economic development strategies. They can be used in strategies to promote the national and international silver economy in rural tourism. They will be helpful in the analysis of investment activities aimed at rural tourism by public and private entities. Originality/Value: The paper complements the theory of rural economics at the methodological and theoretical levels. In the methodological aspect, attention was drawn to using the methodological principle of triangulation in empirical research. The theoretical dimension of the study refers to the creation of a model of the silver tourism economy. It constitutes an economic system composed of relevant parts in structural and functional terms.

Rural?urban divide in human capital in Poland after 1988

Research background: The subject of the study is the disproportionate development of rural and urban areas in terms of human capital in the context of the convergence process.
 Purpose of the article: The main goal of the study is to assess the rural?urban disparities on the educational attainment of the population (adopted as a human capital proxy), based on the example of Poland.
 Methods: The Bray-Curtis measure of structures diversity, the Kruskal-Wallis test and regression analysis were applied to investigate the scale and dynamic of the rural?urban educational divide in Poland in the period 1988?2018.
 Findings & Value added: The paper emphasizes the aspect of rural?urban differences in the Polish economy and their dynamic nature. Studies have revealed that in 1988?2018, in Poland, the disparity in educational attainment between rural and urban populations was gradually reduced. This process, however, was not accompanied by the reduction of internal educational disparities in the rural space. The study results are helpful in verifying the effectiveness of public funds, allocated in recent years in order to accelerate the multi-functional development of rural areas in Poland and other CEE countries.

MECHANISMS AND ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF PUBLIC INTERVENTION IN AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS IN POLAND DURING THE PERIOD OF EU MEMBERSHIP

The concept of public intervention in agriculture can be understood very broadly,as any act or omission of the operation of public state institutions. The articlediscusses the economic reasons for the public intervention, then presents the typesand effects of intervention implemented by the CAP as well as the impact ofintervention policy on economic decisions of agricultural producers. In the furtherpart of the article, based on the statistic data from 2004-2016, were presented thechanges in agriculture sector. A characteristic feature of this process is thedeagrarisation the national economy and the development of rural areas.Throughout this process, it is extremely important for the ongoing structuralchanges to result in the improvement of the competitive position of farms and longtermand sustainable rural development. Poland’s accession to the EU hasgenerated new economic and organisational conditions to support structuralchanges in the broadly defined food economy and rural areas. Policy instrumentsimplemented within the CAP create chances for the stabilisation of structuralpolicy conditions over the period of several production cycles, thus stimulating thedesired changes in the area structure of farms, the improvements in thecompetitiveness of production, environmental protection and multi-functionaldevelopment of rural areas. Thus they are a fundamental instrument supporting theprocess of modernisation of Polish rural areas and agriculture. The articleconclusions refer to structural changes and to competitiveness of agri-food sector.

Institutional and innovative development of rural territories and communities as a strategic priority of economic security of the state and its convergence to EU standards

Purpose. The aim of the article is identification and critical analysis of problems and substantiation on their basis of perspectives, instruments and mechanisms of rural development of Ukraine on the basis of improvement of institutional and innovative policy of the state, with achievement of economic security and sustainable multifunctional development of rural areas, regions, territorial communities and subjects of business activity in the context of European integration and convergence to the standards of the European Union. Methodology of research. The methodological basis of the study is the theoretical development of domestic and foreign scientists on the problem, legislative and regulatory materials of Ukraine and the EU. In the course of the research, general scientific and special methods are used, namely: monographic, analytical, abstract and logical and other methods – to summarize the results of the literary review on the problem under study, to substantiate the directions of rural development research, and to write programs for promoting rural development. Findings. It is substantiated that rural territory is a complex and multifunctional natural, social and economic, production and economic structure, characterized by a set of peculiarities inherent in it, namely: the area of land; landscape features; the number of people living and their type of employment; the number, species diversity of flora and fauna; volumes and structure of production; development of social and industrial infrastructure and other features. It is found that the format of the approach to the definition of the concept of “rural area” has changed significantly, in which it is not only the concept of space, where agriculture and forestry occupied a major share, but also the understanding that it is a place that has had considerable human, natural, cultural and social capital. It is determined that the territorial model of rural development, unlike other models, provides two parallel variants of development: the focus on the development of agrarian and agro-industrial sectors as drivers. This model recognizes the importance of local institutions (private and public) both in developing the directions of development and in the management and implementation of development programs. It is substantiated that, it is advisable to create appropriate regional development agencies to ensure the planned regulation of this process in order to make effective use of the territorial-resource potential of the rural territories of the region. It is proved that the activation of rural development is provided mainly on the basis of the implementation of the applied principles of agricultural policy related to institutional and innovative, sectoral and territorial stimulation, which facilitates the transition to sustainable development. Originality. The priority methodology for the study of rural development is defined, which includes the construction of a logarithm when writing a program for rural restoration and development. The structure of the regional public agency for rural development of Podillia is substantiated, which envisages the following functional departments: strategic management of rural development; formation of competent population; transfer of innovative technologies (products); design, which develops different types of innovation and investment projects for the sectoral and territorial economy. Practical value. It is determined that the common agricultural policy of the European Union is aimed at: balanced development of economic, social and environmental spheres; multifunctional development of rural areas; transition to principles of rational use of nature; protection of interests of rural population and formation of economic mechanism of development of rural territories in the system of social and economic security of the state. It is established that within the territorial development model, the importance of local institutions has been found to be complemented by the need for effective coordination between the different levels of governance of this policy, starting with EU policy, which is manifested through financial support and establishing a system of rules and guidelines, and further to national, regional and local levels. This combination contributes to the success of rural development policy, which has made multi-level governance one of the key features of rural development policy. Key words: rural areas; communities; strategy; institutional and innovation development; economic security; EU standards.

Economic development of rural areas in relation to the concept of building the competitiveness of regions

The article touches upon the issue of economic development of rural areas in relation to the concept of building competitiveness of regions. The author unfolds the concepts of competitiveness of regions and rural areas. Another concern of the study is to show a range of further prospects for the growth of rural areas. It is claimed that there is a need to build competitiveness of rural areas by strengthening economic capacity, resource base, human resources, marketing, production, and innovative and entrepreneurial potential. Particular attention is drawn to social and economic benefits resulted from the development of rural areas under the conditions of decentralization. The author argues that one of the basic elements forming the concept of competitiveness of regions and the target priority of agricultural policies is the competitiveness of rural areas, the development of local initiatives, and using resources that have not been previously utilized. Thus, the main direction is social and economic growth in all sectors of the economy. The integrated and multifunctional development of rural areas includes not only agricultural activities, but also the growth of entrepreneurship, tourism and creating a livable environment in such areas. It is emphasized that the functional impact on the competitiveness of each region has the following features: region’s specialization, business environment, entrepreneurship, inter-territorial capacity for the economic growth, effective collaboration of local self-government bodies, business entities and locals for solving the problem of building the competitiveness of region. The author comes to the conclusion that the economic development of rural areas depends on the growth in the agricultural sector and is aimed at solving social problems, building the competitiveness of regions and effective use of their economic capacity.

Problematyka prawna pojęcia obszaru wiejskiego

In Polish law there is no legal definition of the rural area, but is it a mistake of Polish legislator who did not introduce this term? However, legislature of the European Union also did not define this term but there is a lot of legal acts which use this concept without defining this content. The concept of rural area is determined by economic, social, demographic, and cultural development. It is obvious that the rural area in recent years is still evolving. The concept of mono-functional development of the rural area has been transformed into the concept of multifunctional development. Multi-functional development of rural areas on the one hand, the development of non-agricultural activities and restructuring of agriculture on the other. The concept of the rural area in the old and new agricultural policy is determined by three factors: social structure, spatial structure and production structure. The new agricultural policy is also a question of financing widely understood agriculture from the Rural Development Programmes. Through these programs, the definition of the rural area is modified, depending on the specific actions for which European Union funding is granted. No single definition of the rural area in the Polish legal system should be viewed as negative for the Polish legislator. The search criteria for separating the rural area should be based on flexible and diversified grounds, among others, location of the rural area in the country, development of rural space, depending on the environment and whether related to the quality of the local community.

Current Status and Prospects for Organic Agriculture in Poland

AbstractOrganic farming is part of a sustainable development model; at the same time it is becoming a prerequisite for the multifunctional development of rural areas. The main aim of this study is to identify the state and analyse changes in the development of organic agriculture in Poland as well as to present the possibilities for its development. The time horizon of the study covers the years 2003 to 2015. The basis of the research was an analysis of the literature, the Report of the Chief Inspectorate of Trade Quality of Agriculture and Food (IJHARS), and national empirical research; it also includes an analysis of the results of surveys carried out on organic farms in the summer of 2016, as well as our own observations. The study showed that in the years 2003-2015 Poland saw a rapid increase in the number and area of organic farms due in part to the introduction of EU subsidies. Spatial analysis of the proportions of farms by voivodeship shows that in 2015 most were recorded in Warmia-Mazuria, Podlasie and West Pomerania. Similar to the increase in the number of organic farms, the years 2003-2015 saw an increased area of organic farmland. Poland is second in the world in terms of growth in the area of organic farms. In the years 2003-2014 the average size of an organic farm remained at about 25 ha and was higher than the average size of conventional farms (10 ha). In 2014 the crop structure was dominated by fodder plants (35.8%), and meadows and pastures (31.5%). In terms of livestock production, cattle and horses had the biggest share.

ОЦЕНКА ВОЗМОЖНОСТЕЙ РАЗВИТИЯ АГРОТУРИЗМА В ГОСУДАРСТВЕННОМ НАЦИОНАЛьНОМ ПРИРОДНОМ ПАРКЕ «БУЙРАТАУ »

Scientific article is devoted to the study of the possibilities of agritourism development at specially protected natural areas (SPNA) of Kazakhstan, in particular at the state national nature park (SNNP) «Buyratau». Since the effective distribution of agritourism will ensure sustainable development and competitiveness of agrarian sector, which in turn can represent one of the directions for activating economy and multifunctional development of rural areas of the country. Agritourist potential of the country is accompanied by unique cultural and historical features, and the resource bases of agritourism in Kazakhstan are SPNA. Natural territories designated as «Specially Protected Natural Areas» are integral part of agriculture, since they are located on the lands of rural areas. Because SPNA have high degree of ecological, cultural, as well as scientific and historical significance, they are national wealth of the Republic of Kazakhstan. According to this, an attempt in this article is made to assess possibilities for agritourism development at SPNA of Kazakhstan on the example of SNNP «Buyratau».   &nbsp

Diversification of sources of income in agricultural holdings in the context of multi-functional development of rural areas in Poland

The article presents the results of the spatial analysis of Polish private agricultural holdings with agriculture-related business activity. The studies involved 1.8 million agricultural holdings categorised into three groups by the dominant source of income (constituting over 50% of all the incomes of the holding), i.e.: incomes from agriculture-related activity; incomes from work in non-agricultural sector (hired work or connected with non-agricultural business activity); and incomes from old-age pensions, disability pensions or other unearned incomes. These percentages were analysed individually or in form of composite index and they were characterised by significant differences in the spatial distribution, which was due to the impact of several conditions – particularly: historical and agrarian determinants, as well as the absorption level of the CAP funds. It emerged that the natural conditions do not wield any remarkable influence on the incomes recorded in agricultural holdings in Poland, which derives from the fact that in the areas with less favourable natural conditions animal production is better-developed and members of an agricultural holding are engaged in more non-agricultural professional activities.The analysis showed a non-negligible diversification in the income structure of agricultural holdings in Poland. What can prove the progressing multi-functional development of agricultural holdings is a low rank of farms where incomes are generated mostly by agriculture-related activities, which is particularly conspicuous upon comparison with the percentage of agricultural holdings with incomes from work in non-agricultural sectors. An increase was also observed in the share of agricultural holdings with incomes made up of old-age pensions, disability pensions and other unearned incomes. It points to the ongoing process of ageing in rural population, which requires setting and meeting new objectives in the domain of social policy, especially with regard to provision of care for the elderly.

FORMY POMOCY UNIJNEJ DLA MAŁYCH GOSPODARSTW ROLNYCH W POLSCE

Forms of EU Assistance for Small Farms in PolandSummary The latest CAP reform has pointed out the need to maintain the vitality and development of small farms. The basic principle of the reform is for these farms to perform an important role in the multifunctional development of rural areas throughout the whole EU. Alongside their traditional farming activities these farms have a unique favourable impact on the natural environment by maintaining its biodiversity. They also support the rich European traditions and customs in food production. They are producers of good, healthy food; they provide millions of jobs, thereby reducing unemployment, not only in rural areas. In appreciation of these assets, the new EU financial perspective envisages many forms of support, especially financial support for small farms, within both pillars of the CAP. This article gives a favourable preliminary assessment of these forms of assistance. But there are drawbacks as well. One is the small extent of the assistance, expressed by the relatively low amount of expenditure planned for the financing of the assistance. Another drawback is too strict criteria for access to certain forms of financial supports, which could be used by small farms, provided in the Rural Development Programme for the years 2014-2020. This will cause that a large group of small farms do not benefit from the aid provided there.

Contemporary Aspects of Correlation between Agriculture and Rural Development

Summary In most countries, agriculture represents a strategic economic sector. In developed countries, the share of agriculture in GDP amounts only to 2-3%, but this industry assists in development of other sectors as well: trade, tourism, chemical and mechanical/machine industry, etc. Nowadays, great attention is paid to environmental protection and production of quality products. Sustainability has become a key determinant of agricultural production. Modern agriculture is focused onto productive and intensive production, but also towards multifunctional development of rural areas. Implementation of integral rural development and new regional concept of development sublimates several objectives: economic and social progress, demographic stability, environmental and cultural heritage protection, etc. This development model is mainly introduced in developed countries, but also in developing countries. A greater scope of social problems, in addition to the production, is resolved by doing so,. However, the results of the rural development policy differ from one country to another. Today, methods for measurement of rurality have been developed. Agriculture and rural development are in constant interaction, but the advocates of direct support for agriculture continue to oppose territorial approach and subsidies for rural development.

Uwarunkowania rozwoju agroturystyki w Polsce

The paper discusses the factors that contribute to or limit the development of agritourism in Poland. Among the key drivers of the development are nature, landscape and cultural values of the Polish countryside, low income, in particular in case of small and medium agricultural farms, housing capacities and free labour resources in the countryside, state tourism development programmes as part of the initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable and multifunctional development of rural areas, local government policy, quality and competitiveness of agritourism product as well as urbanization and level of city dwellers' income. The factors that hinder growth of agritourism include low educational level, lack of qualifications and entrepreneurial mindset of farmers, resistance to change and innovation, lack of cooperation between the agriculture-supporting institutions and farmers, high costs related to the improvement of accommodation standard, poor quality of services and dificulties in obtaining credit. The article touches also upon the importance of agritourism in the development of rural areas. As a form of non-agricultural activity, agritourism entails significant benefits. It constitutes an additional source of income for agricultural farms and ensures a social ladder for the farmers. In addition, it promotes culture and heritage conservation and provides an opportunity for the farmers to gain new experience and qualifications.

Impact of the EU funds on the diversification of economic activity (of farms) and their role in multi-functional development of rural areas

The focus of the article is on two issues. One of them is related to the process of multi-functional development of rural areas; the other one concerns the impact the European Union funds have on diversification of economic activity in rural areas. The study attempts to assess this impact with regard to diversification of sources of income gained by rural population and, consequently, with regard to multi-functionality of rural areas. The analysis was based on the number of applications processed and funds acquired within the measures under Axis 3 of the Rural Development Programme 2007–2013 which have provided the most substantial support for multi-functional development of rural areas, i.e. ‘Diversification into non-agricultural activities’ and ‘Creation and development of micro-enterprises’.

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

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.

Public perceptions of rural landscapes in land consolidation procedures in Poland

A high level of fragmentation of farms exists in many parts of Poland, which leads to inefficiency in farm management and a range of logistical problems. Land consolidation is a process that reverses fragmentation by enabling an exchange of plots of equivalent value between participants. The primary aim of land consolidation is to improve spatial and economic conditions for farming by decreasing the number of separate plots that belong to a given farm, adjusting the shape of plots to enable mechanized cultivation of soil, and decreasing the distance between dwellings and cultivated plots. Contemporary consolidation works, performed in compliance with the principles of sustainable development, enable creation of legal and spatial conditions that allow the multifunctional development of rural areas and may be used as an instrument to shape rural landscapes. However, the implicit value of landscape is often not taken into consideration during the plot valuation that is undertaken as part of consolidation procedures.The aim of this research is to determine the perceptions and attitudes toward rural landscape elements held by three groups of landscape users: (i) visitors, (ii) farmers who live in areas that are not subject to landscape consolidation processes and (iii) farmers who are engaged in consolidation processes. The focus group method and the L-sort (Landscape sort) method were used to assess attitudes and perceptions, with particular focus on whether there are the differences between the groups and how the perception of landscape value is influenced by: (i) the land consolidation process itself; (ii) the development of farm tourism; and (iii) European Union policies. The results revealed a traditional pattern of landscape appraisal that is strengthened by a utilitarian approach to the value of land in the consolidation procedure. This pattern has the potential to change due to a developing awareness that optimally shaped landscapes may contribute to attracting visitors and/or allow the landowner to obtain financial support under European Union programs. The paper concludes that the esthetic and cultural value of landscape elements should be taken into consideration when evaluating land during the consolidation procedure.

Future role of agriculture in multifunctional development of rural areas

In the paper the changes in agriculture in terms of falling share of agriculture in gross domestic product and decrease in the share of persons employed in agriculture in total employment in Poland and selected countries are discussed.The main driver of these changes is a faster pace of development of non-agricultural activities and continually deteriorating relations between the costs of production factors and prices of agricultural products. The rate of growth in labor costs and prices of the means of production for agriculture is much faster than the rate of increase in prices of agricultural products.This causes the decline in profitability of agricultural production which increases the size of farms. The pace is dependent on the level of economic development of the country. The study also identified trends in the structure of farms, functions and systems of agriculture in the generational perspective. The polarization of the farms will deepen.A strong group of commodity farms and a group of so-called self – subsistence social farms will emerge. Agriculture in Poland will have a dual nature. In addition to the production function and social services agriculture will expand the scope of service functions for the environment and society.

Future role of agriculture in multifunctional development of rural areas

In the paper the changes in agriculture in terms of falling share of agriculture in gross domestic product and decrease in the share of persons employed in agriculture in total employment in Poland and selected countries are discussed.The main driver of these changes is a faster pace of development of non-agricultural activities and continually deteriorating relations between the costs of production factors and prices of agricultural products. The rate of growth in labor costs and prices of the means of production for agriculture is much faster than the rate of increase in prices of agricultural products. This causes the decline in profitability of agricultural production which in creases the size of farms. The pace is dependent on the level of economic development of the country. The study also identified trends in the structure of farms, functions and systems of agriculture in the generational perspective.The polarization of the farms will deepen.A strong group of commodity farms and a group of so-called self – subsistence social farms will emerge. Agriculture in Poland will have a dual nature. In addition to the production function and social services agriculture will expand the scope of service functions for the environment and society.

The small hydroelectric power stations as an element of the multifunctional development of rural areas

Poland’s accession to the EU has caused a necessity of harmonising Polish with the union law also in the field of energy law. It also enforces achievement of 7,5% share of energy from alternative sources in the total energy consumption in 2010. Execution of this international commitment will require more economic and legal support from the state. The development of alternative sources of energy creates chances of development of rural areas where these kinds of installations are being mostly located. This article presents an analysis of the economic efficiency of energy production on an example of 5 small hydroelectric power stations. The analysis is based on a comparison of full unit costs and unit revenue from energy sale. Bigger stations proved economically efficient while for the smaller the break even point is associated with an average water flow of 153 million m3/year