Perspectives of Rural Development Perspectives of Rural Development Programmes in PolandProgrammes in Poland

Nina DobrzyńskaNina Dobrzyńska

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

POLAND

A view of PolandTerritory

The territory of Poland covers 312,685 square kilometres At the end of 2003 the population of Poland amounted to

38,191,000 1, which constitutes 10,4% of the current population of the EU.

Rural areas account for 93,4% of the territory. Agricultural land constitutes 54 % of the territory whereas

forests 28,6%. Permanent grasslands constitute 11,4% of the area of the

country ( meadows – 8,1%, pastures – 3,3%), which amounts to 21,1% of the area occupied by agricultural lands.

Information on Agriculture and Rural Areas in Poland

The importance of agricultural sector is greater in Poland than in countries of Western Europe.

Agriculture ( including the hunting and forestry sectors) accounted under 2,7% of the Gross Domestic Product in 2002 and have had a downward tendency. Poland’s gross domestic product (GDP) for the year 2004 was PLN 883.7 bln. The increase of GDP was the highest since 1997 (5.3%).

Polish agriculture has preserved its traditional character. Mixed productions pattern and extensive methods of

cultivation.

Description of holdings with different potential of development

Amongst 1,956.1 M of individual holdings of the size above 1 ha of agricultural land:

o Holding operating on a non-permanent or temporary basis (17%)

o Subsistence farms (10,6%)o Semi-subsistence farms (25,5%)o Commercial farms ( 47,7%)

Characteristic of agricultural production and food processing

Fruit and vegetables – this sector is extremely dispersed (only 20% of farmers produce them for the market whereas remaining farmers grew fruit and vegetables for their own consumption).

In the year 2004 the yield of fruit has amounted to 3,4 mln t, whereas the yield of vegetables to 4,7 mln t.

Cereal products - there has been a reduction in the rate of decline in the consumption of processed cereal products

Organic farming and its rapid growth thanks to financial support and additional legal regulations

Characteristic of agricultural production and food processing

Milk production - a downward trend has been observed with regard to the dairy cow stock. The average milk yield in 2002 was 3902 kg per cow ( 2003 – 3940 kg per cow).

In the year 2004 the total milk production has amounted to 11550 mln l.

Almost 900,000 farms keep cattle however, only 67 % of them produce for the market

Almost 800,000 of farms keep pigs, and 75% produce for the market.

For supporting the sustainable development of rural areas The Rural Development Plan has been elaborated, which focuses on social, economic and environmental aspects and is consistent with

other programmes such as The Sectoral Operational Plan„ The Restructuring and Modernisation of the Food Sector and the

Development of Rural Areas” financed by Guidance Section of EAGGF.

OBJECTIVES – RDP, SOP

OBJECTIVE 1 Improvement of the Competitiveness of Agri-Food EconomyPriority 1.1. Increase in the economic effectiveness of agricultural holdingsPriority 1.2. Increase of income in agriculture and rural areasPriority 1.3 Improvement of food safety, quality and market orientation

of production

OBJECTIVE 2 The sustainable development of rural areas Priority 2.1. Equalization of opportunities for rural developmentPriority 2.2. Reduction of rural unemployment Prioryty 2.3. Improvement of living conditions, economic and social functions of rural areas Priority 2.4. Environmental protection and the preservation of the natural values of rural areas Priority 2.5. Extension of woodland areas in Poland

INDICATIVE FINANCIAL TABLE FOR RDP (M euro)Total 3 592,4 M euro (EAGGF 2 8866,4 M euro)

Measure EU (EAGGF) PL %

Early retirement 513 128 17,9

Support for semi-subsistence farms 301 76 10,5

Support for LFA 781 195 27,2

Support for agri-environment 27 70 9,7

Afforestation of agricultural land 81 20 2,8

Meeting EU standards 195 49 6,8

Support for agricultural producers’ groups 20 5 0,7

Technical assistance 27 7 0,9

Complements to direct payments 564 141 19,6

Reg. 1268/1999 (SAPARD) 105 35 3,9

Total 2866 726 100

INDICATIVE FINANCIAL TABLE FOR SOP (M euro)

Measures UE Pl - public % Pl-private

Investments in agricultural holdings 325 279 33,9 325

Setting up of young farmers 130 43 9,7

Training 16 4 1,1

Agriculture advisory and extension service support 43 11 3

Improvement in processing and marketing 325 139 26 464

Land reparcelling 17 4 1,2

Agriculture water resources management 100 32 7,4 8

Renovation of rural areas and protection of culture heritage

90 23 6,3

Leader+ Pilot Programme 15 4 1,1

Diversification of agricultural activities or alternative income

75 32 6 107

Development and improvement of the infrastructure 28 12 2,2 41

Restoring forestry potential damaged by natural disaster

10 2 0,7

Technical assistance 18 6 1,4

Total 1192 591 100 945

State of implementation of the measures of the RDP

Measures Accept of applications

Applications submitted as of 24.08.2005

The number of given decisions

Total amount

(PLN)

Early retirement

From 01.08.2004 30 735 22 666 201 300 182,62

Support for semi-subsistence farms

01.02.2005-23.03.2005

116 612

Support for LFA

15.03.2005-25.06.2005

and

15.04.2004-25.07.2004

709 910

and

630 057 629 393 1 143 064 654

Support for agri-enviroment

01.09.2004-05.06.2005

(all packages and package PO2)

21 049

Support for agri-enviroment

01.09.2004-01.10.2004

Package PO2

3 557 3 556 35 008 432,48

State of implementation of the measures of the RDPMeasures Accept of

applicationsApplications submitted as of 24.08.2005

The number of given decisions

Total amount

(PLN)

Afforestration of agricultural land

01.06.2005-15.07.2005

and

01.09.2004-31.12.2004

4 251

2 061 1 511

Meeting EU standards

01.02.2005-15.03.2005

73 950

Support for agricultural producers’ groups

From 15.12.2004 28 22

The Future of Rural Development

On the basis of experiences, which Poland had gained during the period of programming and implementing

„The Rural Development Plan 2004-2006”, there have been already preparing

„The Operation Programme of Rural Development for the years 2007-2013”.

„The Operation Programme of Rural Development for the years 2007-2013”

Outlined objectives are implemented within 4 axes

Axis 1(Economical axis) Improvement of the competitiveness in the

agricultural and forestry-sectorAxis 2 (Enviromental axis)

Improvement of the enviroment and rural areas

„The Operation Programme of Rural Development for the years 2007-2013”

Axis 3(Social axis)

Improvement of living conditions in the rural areas and economical diversification of

rural areasAxis 4 (Leader)

related to activation of rural areas

Allocation to axes

Minimum allocation to individual axes Axis 1 and 3 - at least 10% of the whole

contribution from EAFRD Axis 2 - at least 25% of the whole contribution

from EAFRD Axis 4 - Leader – for the new members at least

2.5%of the whole contribution from EAFRD whereas for other members 5 %

Total amount for PL is about 14 bln Euro

The most important issues for Poland

The single programme for the whole country

One paying agency for all measures (accreditation of Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture)

Delegation of responsibilietes of paying agency and Managing Authority

The most important issues for Poland

New legal and legislation solutions Implementing of Leader – choice of modelRegionalization of measures (criteria of

access)

The most important issues for Poland

The measures are to be chosen:

• after consultations with regions, social and economical partners and other institutions

• on basis of gained experience • with regard to new needs • with reference to european and national strategy• after negotiations with the European Commision

The calendar for Poland

The first project of Operation Programme of Rural Development for the years 2007-2013 (July 2005)

The second project (after preliminary consultations) – September 2005

National consultations – winter 2005/2006 Implementation of the Programme -

January 2007

Góra ZamkowaOkolice Gościńca

Thank you for YOUR attention!