ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF AGRICULTURALHOLDINGS WITHOUT ANIMAL PRODUCTION

Abstract

This article undertakes to evaluate the economic and environmental sustainability of agricultural holdingsnot engaged in animal production. Studies covered agricultural holdings in the Podlaskie voivodeship includedin the FADN system in 2014. The evaluation accounts for selected agri-ecological indicators, supplemented bymaterial pressure indexes and economic indexes (profitability of land and labour). Obtained results indicatethat environmental sustainability conditions were met only with regard to the vegetation cover index butwere not met with regard to the remaining indexes (share of permanent grasslands, crop structure, balanceof organic substances). Holdings without animals exerted lesser pressure on the environment than holdingsengaged in animal production from the perspective of consumption of means of production. Both groupsof holdings did not achieve economic sustainability. Income parity in 2014 amounted to 0.73 for holdingswithout animals and 0.84 for holdings with animal productions.

Keywords

• farm without animals
• agro-ecological indicators
• sustainability