ROLE OF ORGANIC FARMS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AREAS

The intensive economic development has produced many negative ecological and social effects. This relates also to agriculture. Hence, it is necessary to alter the hitherto way of development of the economy and agriculture through the popularisation of the idea of sustainable development. From the point of view of ecological and social goals organic farming seems to fit perfectly into the concept of such development. However, organic farming may encounter in the future a development barrier stemming from its lower economic effectiveness in comparison with other types of farming. Thus, particularly good development prospects can be predicted for such type of farming which is characterised by high economic effectiveness and which, simultaneously, limits the scale of threats posed by agricultural activity to the natural environment. Such farming is referred to as integrated (or balanced) agriculture. Therefore, it can be concluded that organic farming is not going to become the dominating form of agricultural production although its scope and share in the market of agricultural products will be increasing steadily. All this suggests that a double-track development would be advisable for Poland's agriculture. On one hand, Poland ought to have farms characterised by high economic effectiveness and observing the principal rules of environmental protection and, on the other hand, it should ensure development to organic farms utilising the attributes of the country's natural and social-cultural environment, and producing food for the more demanding domestic and foreign consumers.