In the twentieth century. Rural areas in Poland twice underwent system transformation, which led to the interruption of natural path of their development. The necessity was the choice of a new development model, which became sustainable development. However, this requires the development of innovative activities, while innovation should serve the sustainability of the system. This issue has become the subject of this study. This article attempts to answer the question whether assimilated innovations in rural areas conducive to sustainable development, or rather served to enhance the productivity of factors of production? The literature studies and the empirical studies lead to the conclusion that the current, the specificity of relationships with the surrounding rural areas makes, that innovation served mainly increase in productivity and did not serve sustainable development.