Implementation of the Principles of Sustainable Development by Agricultural Producers in Poland

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the research is to identify and assess the opportunities and processes of implementing sustainable development in agricultural activities. It is also to assess farmers' awareness and knowledge of the principles of sustainable development in agriculture. Design/Methodology/Approach: Research on the application of the principles of sustainable development in agricultural production was carried out in 2019. Data was collected in four voivodships using the interview questionnaire. The research area was chosen deliberately. They were voivodships with the largest share of sown crops. The collected material was analyzed in terms of farmers' knowledge of the principles of sustainable development in agricultural production and the level of their application on the farm. Findings: Based on the collected information, it was found that the respondents had a high level of knowledge about the sustainable development of agriculture. The results show significant differences in the application of sustainable development principles. It was also found that there is a relationship between the level of education and age of farmers and the application of sustainable development principles among them. Knowing the principles of sustainable development has not always coincided with the application. Practical Implications: The results obtained may be used for development of the agricultural policy, aimed at agricultural farms, as well as in programming agricultural development and shaping farmers' income. Originality/Value: The results are original because they can be used to develop future agricultural policy scenarios in terms of compensation for conducting agricultural production in a sustainable way.

Collaboration Perspectives Developing Sustainable Agriculture: The Case of Lithuanian Farmers

“…Despite the active debate, in the scientific literature the authors agree (Dania et Economic aspect of sustainability includes sustainable creation of financial well-being and economic activity through efficient use of financial resources, reducing waste and saving costs, while ensuring high productivity, consumer satisfaction and service levels. According to the authors (Golebiewska et al, 2020;Wilson, 2017;Thomson et al, 2017;Sulewski et al, 2018, etc. ) the prerequisites for the sustainable development of agriculture in economic terms are created when farms are able to generate income that not only creates a satisfactory life quality for farmers, but also restores the capital used during production and preserves business in the long term prospect.…”

“…In other words, avoiding activities that harm the environment, food quality or health of farmers and consumers. In addition, the authors (Bélanger et al, 2012;Dania et al, 2018;Golebiewska et al, 2020;Rodríguez, 2019) emphasize that the prerequisites for sustainable agricultural development in the environmental sense are created when farms are able to preserve and restore natural resources (soil, diversity of biological species, essential ecosystems and ecological processes) consumed in the production process.…”

“…On the basis of general environmental, social and economic objectives of sustainable agriculture, it can be stated that agriculture is considered sustainable when it is able to remain economically viable, environmentally sound and socially equitable for a long period of time (Wilson, 2017, Sulewski et al, 2018, Čiegis, 2009, Dania et al, 2018, Golebiewska et al, 2020Rodríguez, 2019 and others). It is clear that the development of sustainable agriculture must be the responsibility of all participants of the agricultural system: farmers, processors, traders, government representatives and consumers themselves.…”

Education as the Differentiating Factor in Applying Sustainable Development Principles on Farms

“…Among these, socio-demographic characteristics are viewed as particularly significant [D'Souza et al 1993, Kostecka, Mroczek 2007, Kałuża 2009, Sowula-Skrzyńska et al 2019. In many studies, it has been underlined that farmers knowing sustainable development, do not always use it in agricultural practice [Sulewski, Gołaś 2019, Gołębiewska et al 2020. As indicated by Piotr Sulewski and Marlena Gołaś [Sulewski, Gołaś 2019], only some of the interviewed farmers were aware of the negative impact of agriculture on the environment (from 30% to more than 60% of respondents, depending on the environmental factor being assessed).…”