Katarzyna Sobolewska-Mikulska

The proposed algorithm for identifying agricultural problem areas for the needs of their reasonable management under land consolidation works

Abstract The development of agriculture in the territory of Poland and its production capacity is considerably differentiated in terms of space. At present, the country under discussion has agricultural areas which in many respects can compete with agriculture in the member states of the European Union. However, in some areas agricultural production run by private farms owned by individuals is on the verge of or falls below the limit of profitability. Such areas are called agricultural problem areas. These areas are increasingly exposed to marginalization and they are referred to as areas without a potential for development. Agriculture in such areas is doomed to failure. Therefore, it justifies promoting the alternative economic functions of problem areas in a rural setting. Such solutions include: allocating land for forest planting, building development, transport infrastructure, agritourism, and leisure, transformation into ecological areas, growing energy crops, wildlife food plots or gardening. Land consolidation is a process improving the spatial structure of rural areas, including problem areas. This geodesic operation makes it possible to describe the specific characteristics of selected agricultural problem areas and propose the most effective alternative methods of managing the described area. Thanks to rural management works, rural areas become competitive and cultivation of crops in such areas generates financial benefits and improves the living standard of their inhabitants. The universal algorithm for identifying problem areas, designed in this paper, can be a useful tool for programming land consolidation works because the results will make it possible to indicate options for the optimum management of such land. This paper takes into account criteria referring to a detailed description of the above-mentioned areas. Its advantage is that it can be used in different regions, no matter where the land consolidation object is located.

Specific features of development of selected agricultural problematic areas in the land consolidation process

Abstract Development of the Polish agriculture and its production abilities are spatially diversified. At present, in Poland agricultural areas may be distinguished which may successfully compete with the agriculture in the European Union countries. However, areas where private farms run their businesses on the verge of profitability or below also exist in Poland. Those areas are called agricultural problematic areas (OPR), depression areas, areas not useful for agricultural purposes, marginal lands etc. It is estimated that OPR covers over 60-70% of our country. Land consolidation is the process which improves the spatial structure of rural areas, including problematic areas. When this geodetic process is performed it is possible to interpret specific features of selected agricultural problematic areas and to propose alternative and the most effective ways of development of the discussed areas. As a result of those agricultural-and-development operations rural areas are becoming competitive and improve the living conditions. However, they are performed on a very small scale, in recent years this area is about 5900 hectares per year.

THE ASSESSMENT OF THE SCOPE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE IDEA OF MULTIFUNCTIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN LAND CONSOLIDATION PROJECTS IN POLAND

Land consolidation is considered as a tool for accomplishing the goals of multifunctional rural development. However, the mechanisms of execution of the idea do not offer a clear explanation. The aim of this paper is to assess the scope of implementation of the idea of multifunctional rural development in land consolidation projects in Poland. This paper attempts to assess whether all elements of the concept included in land consolidation procedures are dealt with in a sufficient manner. The analyses were based on the example of 15 selected land consolidation projects carried out in disparate regions of Poland. This paper presents the analyses of design solutions concerning three major aspects: the improvement of efficiency of farming, the preservation of the environment and the landscape, the social influence of land consolidation. According to the results of the studies, for all analyzed objects, satisfactory economic results were obtained which indirectly influence the social effects. However, environmental and landscape solutions were only partially considered. The studies have shown, that in Poland it seems necessary to create appropriate organizational and administrative structures in order to generate a tool for implementation of the multifunctional rural development idea within the process of land consolidation.

Issues related to marginal lands with reference to selected agricultural problematic areas

Abstract Functions of rural areas are influenced, among others, by historical conditions of social development, such as: the intensity of population growth, the insufficient level of produced crops and the permanent food shortages. Such approach to rural areas contributed to development of less useful areas, characterised by the low production potential, for agricultural purposes. Besides, those areas are also characterised by the intensive fragmentation of arable lands and directing the agricultural production to meet own demands of farmers. Professional publications include many proposals concerning definitions of marginal lands with reference to problematic areas. It mainly depends on the field of research, the authors and the approach to the discussed issues. The objective of this paper is to review the terminology and characteristics of marginal areas and problematic areas. As a result, the original definition of agricultural problematic areas will be proposed by the authors; this is important in Poland, in particular, when those issues are considered from the perspective of increasing the size of problematic areas and agricultural development in those areas.