The role of advisory services in farmers’ decision making about the application of precision farming in Poland.
Wielkopolskie and Wroclawski, Poland
Region
Agriculture is one of the most important sectors of the economy in the region of Wielkopolskie and Wroclawski in South-East Poland. The region is ranked first for total livestock production in Poland and second for total crop production.
Farms in the region are well-organized and have modernised with the support of European funds much faster than other regions in the country.
Study focus
The Wielkopolskie and Wroclawski region is characterised by large-scale private farms that have been established on the former state-owned farms. Crop production on these farms is relatively intensive and there are favourable conditions and good motivation to introduce precision farming techniques to a) increase the efficiency of fertiliser use and crop protection chemicals, and; b) meet all legal requirements for the protection of the environment and human health.
Full report is available here:
Partner and responsible person contact
Agricultural Advisory Centre in Brwinow (AACB)
Mateusz Sekowski, m.sekowski@cdr.gov.pl
Lessons learned
- Publicly funded farm advisors are the main source of knowledge and advice for most farmers in the region. This is due to the long history of public advisory services in Poland; the trust that has built-up between farmers and advisors, and; the high level of expertise and competence of the public advisors.
- The public advisory service plays a significant role in advising farmers on the adoption of technological innovations for precision farming. Most interactions between farmers and advisors take the form of ‘one to one’ visits, training sessions, workshops and seminars.
- The commercial suppliers of agrochemicals and farm machinery are also important advisors for farmers adopting precision farming. However, as the experience of farmers with precision farming increases there is also evidence of peer-to-peer interaction becoming more important.
- Cooperation and regular meetings between farmers help to streamline and refine their decision-making regarding the introduction of innovations on their farms.