ORGANIZATION AND EFFICIENCY OF POLISH ORGANIC FARMS COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL FARMS

Abstract

The aim of the article is to assess the organization and efficiency of Polish organic farms compared to conventional farms based on data from farms covered by agricultural accounting in the FADN system in 2021. The surveyed farms were assessed and compared in terms of production potential, organization, production intensity and efficiency, production and economic results, and efficiency of production factors. Ratio analysis methods were used. Research shows that organic farms involve relatively higher labor inputs, but significantly lower production resources in relation to land resources. Therefore, the level of intensity of their production is clearly lower, and this is reflected in a generally relatively lower level of production efficiency and production and economic results. In the case of vegetables from organic farming, there is a large variation in their yield compared to conventional crops. It is possible to achieve relatively higher efficiency, e.g. in the production of organic cucumbers, carrots, cabbage, which proves the important role of biological progress and ecological production methods, especially soil cultivation and fertilization, in shaping the efficiency of plant production. Research has proven that achievements in crop breeding and the promotion of biological progress often play a dominant role in achieving an increase in the efficiency of conventional plant production. Therefore, biological progress becomes particularly important in the context of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of organic farms. This means the need to increase efforts to develop biological progress in organic farming.