OPPORTUNITIES AND BARRIERS TO THE IMPLEMENTATIONOF THE AGRI-ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM ON THE EXAMPLE OF FARMSFROM THE MUNICIPALITY OF MŁAWA

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyze and evaluate the factors affecting the low level of interest offarmers in the agri-environment program. Modern agriculture in significant contributor to environmentaldegradation. To prevent this, the EU has created many instruments, including a mandatory agri-environmentprogram. Based on the research conducted in 2016 in the Mława County on two groups of farmers (45beneficiaries of the program and 45 people who did not join it), the program is an effective tool, but notwithout defects. The most important of them is too much emphasis on formal issues, which causes manyfarmers, especially the older and less educated, to be afraid of joining the program. There is also a lackof research that will answer the question of whether and how the program affects the preservation ofnatural resources. Eliminating these barriers would certainly increase the number of beneficiaries of theprogram, thus contributing to an even better protection of the environment.

Keywords

• environmental protection
• rural areas
• farm
• agri-environmental program