Jerzy Bański

Articles

Selected aspects of present-day changes in Polish rural space

Jerzy Bański

Geographia Polonica (2003) vol. 76, iss. 1, pp. 73-96 | Full text

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Abstract

The article discusses the concept of the rural area, demographic change therein, the development of non-agricultural economic functions, transformations in agri-culture in Poland and its state of readiness for European Union accession. Most attention is thus paid to the agricultural economy.

Keywords: rural areas, agriculture, economic transformation, demographic processes, Poland

Jerzy Bański [jbanski@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland

Problem areas in Poland's agriculture

Jerzy Bański

Geographia Polonica (2001) vol. 74, iss. 1, pp. 47-63 | Full text

Further information

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

Jerzy Bański [jbanski@twarda.pan.pl], Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization Polish Academy of Sciences, Twarda 51/55, 00‑818 Warszawa, Poland