Geographia Polonica (2001) vol. 74, iss. 1
Problem areas in Poland's agriculture
Geographia Polonica (2001) vol. 74, iss. 1, pp. 47-63 | 
Full text
Abstract
In the author's opinion an agricultural problem area is characterized by an accumulation of negative socioeconomic and (or) natural phenomena handicapping it in comparison with agricultural areas of characteristics average for the country, and weakening its agricultural function. They are associated with disturbing demographic phenomena like the depopulation of villages, migration and the ageing of the owners of farms. Other equally unfavourable processes are the extensification of output, the laying fallow of large areas of land and a lack of interest in farm enlargement.A division of agricultural problem areas into 4 types may be proposed: 1) areas backward in their development, 2) areas of productive reserves, 3) areas of unfavourable natural condi-tions, 4) conflict areas. These areas are concentrated in just a few regions of Poland - the south-east, the eastern part of Mazowsze and the north-east, the area of the Sudetic Mountains and part of the Silesian Lowland, small areas in Pomerania, the Świętokrzyskie Mountains and Upper Silesia.
Keywords: agricultural problem areas, Poland's agriculture, backward areas
[jbanski@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland