EC projectCAP: Back to Countryside

Introduction

Moderator – Dr hab. inż. Bartosz Mickiewicz Prof. ZUT Experts – Dr inż. Dagmara K. Zuzek Students

Aim of Discussions

Poland: 9 years of membership in the European Union – experiences and situation of agriculture - diagnosis

Schedule of the Discussion

Poland: 9 years of membership in the European Union – experiences and situation of agriculture – diagnosis (presentation by expert)

Perception of countryside (work in groups of 4 – 5 persons); Coffee break Discussions Summary.

SWOT analysis of Polish agriculture

STRENGHTS1. Good areas for crop2. Law land prices3. Mostly organic production4. Good soil5. Ability to produce healthy and testy food6. Large resources and cheap labor

WEAKNESSES1. Too slow mechanization2. Low farmer’s income3. High cost of production4. A lot of small farms5. Low level of education6. Low mobility of the village population

OPPORTUNITIES1. UE grants2. Ecological lifestyle3. Development of agro tourism4. Diversification of agricultural activities5. Selling directly from producers to consumer

THREATS1. Migration of young people from rural to urban2. GMO production3. Low profits of farming4. Competition product of UE market5. Competing with foreign farmers

CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE

Conventional farming refers to a method of farming in which the use of GMO's, chemical pesticides/herbicides and chemical fertilisers is allowed. Conventional farming is differed from organic farming as the latter responds to site-specific conditions by integrating cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Rather than using synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth regulators and livestock feed additives, organic farming systems rely on crop rotation, animal and plant manures as fertilizers, some hand weeding and biological pest control.

CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE Conventional farming is a term that describes any farming not

dedicated to alternative schemes. Fundamentally, it is the type of farming that dominated the 20th century and which accounts for most farming nowadays. In conventional farming, chemical fertilisers, intensive mass animal farming as well as chemical plant protectants are general.

In conventional farming, chemical plant protectants, chemical fertilisers and intensive mass animal farming are common.

In general, it is any type of agriculture that requires high external energy inputs to achieve high yields and generally relies upon technological innovation and fossil fuels to supplement the required energy. Many also define the term conventional farming as being synonymous with non-organic.

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE

Organic farming is a form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost, and biological pest control. Depending on whose definition is used, organic farming uses fertilizers and pesticides (which include herbicides, insecticides and fungicides) if they are considered natural (such as bone meal from animals or pyrethrin from flowers), but it excludes or strictly limits the use of synthetic petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides; plant growth regulators such as hormones; livestock antibiotics; genetically modified organisms human sewage sludge; and nanomaterials

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE "Organic Agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of

soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic Agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.„

"Organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles, and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological, and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfill any specific function within the system.

 

INTEGRATED FARMING

Integrated farming is the practice of growing crops and raising livestock simultaneously. Integrated farming is diversification at its best.

It refers to agricultural systems that integrate livestock and crop production and may sometimes be known as Integrated Biosystems.

INTEGRATED FARMING Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the

World with annual growth in excess of 10 percent over the last two decades. Much of this development has occurred in Asia, which also has the greatest variety of cultured species and systems. Asia is also perceived as the ‘home’ of aquaculture, as aquaculture has a long history in several areas of the region and knowledge of traditional systems is most widespread. Furthermore, the integration of livestock and fish production is best established in Asia. In this initial section we introduce the rationale for the study and provide definitions of integrated livestock-fish farming. We then examine the current status and future importance of livestock and fish production being integrated rather than being developed further as specialized, separate activities. Their sustainability and importance in a broader context are then considered.

RECOMMENDATION FOR FUTURE DIRECTIONS OF POLISH AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT

Increase transfer of knowledge between farmers and universities Individual farmers will cooperate and create producers group, Using a new technology and knowledge about agriculture Support for young farmers Development of renewable energy sources Cultivation of healthy food Support for the sustainable development. Accelerate the introduction of mechanization Cheaper cost of production of products Expertise in developing regional products Development of agri-tourism Increasing knowledge about ecology

Thank You for Your Attention!