Limitations and Opportunities for the Development of Farms in the Region of Warmia and Mazury in the Context of Changes in the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union

Abstract

The main objective of the research was to diagnose the conditions for the development of farms implementing production in the conventional and ecological system, in the conditions set out in the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) after 2023. In the study were used data obtained in direct surveys conducted in 2022 among the owners of farms from the region of Warmia and Mazury. 165 owners of conventional farms and 158 owners of organic farms participated in the research. The surveyed farm owners, despite a skeptical attitude towards solutions regarding the European Green Deal (EGD), lack of acceptance of the implementation of selected assumptions of this policy, e.g. restrictions on the use of mineral fertilizers and eco-schemes, were in favor of functioning within the EU structures. As a threat to the development of agriculture, leaving the EU structures or resigning from using EU funds were indicated. The contemporary geopolitical situation, restrictions on the import and export of raw materials to Ukraine and the lack of stability on many markets were also indicated as a potential limitation of development. The main potential opportunities for the development of agriculture in Poland, in the opinion of the surveyed owners of farms operating under the conventional production system, are the conditions created for small and medium-sized farms and the increase in demand for agricultural services. In the opinion of the owners of farms implementing production under ecological systems, the assumptions of the new CAP and the EGD may be an opportunity to strengthen the profitability of these entities and to search for alternative sources of income.