Files
Abstract
This paper is dedicated to the directions of development of rural areas, primarily
agricultural areas of the Podlaskie voivodeship, which in light of current criteria has
been qualified almost entirely as problem area (ONW). Results presented are culmination
of research related to issues of problem areas primarily in the area of the Podlaskie voivodeship
by the author of the herewith paper during last few years. In conclusion to the
results of the research it can be said that the primary direction of the development of rural
areas in the Podlaskie voivodeship will be modern, large-scale farms able to adjust to current
conditions, in particular environmental and soil conditions. In problem areas these
will be mostly farms focusing on production of cattle and milk, developing production
based on very high share of grassland areas. Complementary role in relation to conventional
agriculture will be fulfilled by farms developing organic farming and agro-touristic
farms. More intensive development of conventional tourism in rural areas can be expected
once new tourism products and services have been developed. Assessment of the current
economic development parameters of the Podlaskie voivodeship does not point at the
convergence with other regions and possibility of decreasing the distance between the
Podlaskie voivodeship and average results for Poland in the near future. However, some
positive trends in terms of convergence with other regions in Poland can be observed in
agriculture, primarily due to relatively good results in production of cattle and milk.