Land Consolidation as an Instrument of Shaping the Agrarian Structure in Poland: A Case Study of the Wielkopolskie and Dolnośląskie Voivodeships

Abstract

abstract. Fragmentation of agricultural landscape is a specific feature of agrarian structure in Poland. Despite the fact that consolidation work has been carried out for years, the positive effects are still negligible. This is because land consolidation in Poland is encountering with a number of obstacles, which on the one hand, is cumbersome formal and legal policy, and on the other hand, disapproval of officials and farmers as well. These barriers unnecessarily prolong the proceeding, which is inherently long-term, sometimes takes years and not always is successfully completed. For this reason an effort was made to answer the question: how improving in land consolidation policy may look up the efficiency of land merging work in Poland? Two formal procedures were presented, on the basis of which land consolidation is carried out in two voivodeships: Wielkopolskie and Dolnośląskie. The study revealed the main obstacles and weaknesses in legal regulation. Additionally, open-interviews among farmers as well as local and regional land consolidation authorities, were undertaken. On the basis of the acquired data, a number of new suggestions to more successful land consolidation policy, were put forward. Finally, possible solutions to perk up the land unification work were established. key worDs: agrarian structure, land fragmentation, patchwork, chessboard, plot distribution pattern, Wielkopolskie and Dolnośląskie voivodeships.

The Role Of Management Of The Field-Forest Boundary In Poland’s Process Of Agricultural Restructuring

“…It is widely recognised that agricultural production effi ciency in Poland (subjected to global market trends and increasing competition) is much affected by the land-use pattern, with this seen to require merging and replacement procedures underpinned by sustainable development rules (Markuszewska 2013). However, bad soil quality and its vulnerability (in part combined with fragmented land-use structure) are implicated in considerable crop-yield losses.…”

“…A feature in the formerly-Prussian areas is the presence of large-scale landed properties which were transformed post-1945, into large State Farms and agricultural cooperatives. When the communist system collapsed, the farmland in question was purchased by many different private owners, or else tenanted or sold from/by the Treasury Agricultural Property Agency, which nevertheless retains a considerable acreage (Markuszewska 2013). However, the ownership situation in these areas has been very dynamic in recent years, and further changes in land-use structure are to be expected due to growing interest in land purchases.…”

“…Hence, new alternative approaches to land grouping and parcel allocation, connected with the multifunctional development of rural areas are proposed. Among other things, the suggestions include afforestation of non-fertile soil, the establishment of mid-fi eld scrub to prevent soil erosion, the introduction of mid-fi eld balks, lines of shrubs and other linear landscape elements purifying ground water, and delineation of non-cultivated refuges to increase biodiversity -including fi eld-forest boundary (Markuszewska 2013, Kupidura 2010.…”

Conflicts between legal policy and rural area management in Poland

“…There are several reasons explaining the decreasing interest in land consolidation work, among which the most important are: adverse legislation, declining funds and farmers unwillingness to cooperate (Woch 2006;Wierzchowski 2007;Markuszewska 2013). Nevertheless, for a better understanding of the weaknesses of the land consolidation process, legislation review has been undertaken.…”

“…Based on the AAPC, several elaborations have been prepared by the Department of Geodesy and Cartography (the unit of province government), among which, the most important are: the Analysis of demand for land consolidation work in communes, the Study of demand for land consolidation work in the province as well as the Database of land consolidation objects (Analiza zapotrzebowania … 2010). It is important to emphasise that for the creation of a proper base for information flow, the Analysis among all sides (landowners and administrative bodies of local and regional governments) involved in land consolidation process, has been disseminated (Markuszewska 2013). …”