The abandonment of conventional sources in favor of energy from renewable energy sources (RES) has a global dimension, and the dynamic increase in the share of energy from photovoltaic systems in the energy mix of many countries results from the possibility of obtaining it both on a small scale (micro-installations) and as part of economic investments (photovoltaic power plants). The study aimed to assess the economic efficiency of 22 photovoltaic farms located in northeastern Poland. The research covered 5 solar power plants with a capacity of up to 799 kWp (I), 13 between 800 and 1100 kWp (II), and 4 installations of 1.98 MWp (III). The evaluation was based on net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), payback period (PP), profitability index (PI), accounting rate of return (ARR). Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was carried out regarding the value of economic indicators. The analysis shows that all studied PV farms are economically justified investments (NPV > 0) regardless of the adopted scenario. Solar power plants of the largest analyzed capacity (group III) resulted in being the most profitable ones, but no linear relationship between the level of productivity and profitability was established. Due to the large variation in terrain shape in northeastern Poland, landscape value and social benefits, which are difficult to assess, the support system for investments regarding the construction of photovoltaic power plants proved to be the most effective in group I.

The development of organic farming is determined by many factors. On the one hand, it is an increase in demand for food produced in this production system, on the other it is a subsidy system for organic farming under the CAP. The purpose of the article is a comparative analysis of the direction of changes in the development of organic farming in Poland and Latvia compared to the EU in the years 2000-2017. Information was analysed on the organic farming i.e. the area of organic crops, the number of certified farms and organic retail sales, based on FIBL data from the years 2000–2017. An analysis of the trend of changes in organic farming in Poland and Latvia indicates that the development of organic farming in both countries has clearly accelerated after their accession to the EU and after covering organic farming by the CAP support system. However, the case of Poland is definitely different from the trend of changes in organic farming in Latvia and in the EU, where both the number of organic farms and their area increased, with the simultaneous development of the organic food market. There are many indications that mistakes were made in the organic farming subsidy system.

Agricultural land accounts for approximately 40% of the total Natura 2000 (N2K) network area. Therefore, many habitats and species protected under the Habitats and Birds Directives are dependent on or linked to agricultural practices. This implies that sustaining agriculture of a high natural value is a priority in achieving the aim of halting the loss of biodiversity in the European Union (EU). However, extensive agriculture is unprofitable in many regions of the EU, which results in it being either abandoned or intensified in the absence of financial support. Hence, organic farming (OF), which is most often supported with public funds, can be an alternative to conventional agriculture in N2K areas. This article is an empirical study of the differences in perceiving the possibilities of farm functioning in a protected area (PA) by organic and conventional farm owners. It was examined whether this could be the actual path to improving farmers’ living conditions in the context of legal protection of naturally valuable areas. The study material comprises the results of a survey conducted at the turn of 2016 and 2017, which addressed a total of 292 farmers, including 152 organic farm operators and 140 conventional farm operators, whose areas under cultivation were located within the N2K “Dolina Biebrzy” (“Biebrza Valley”) PLH200008 area in Poland. For the analysis of the data collected using structured questionnaires, a variety of statistical methods and techniques were applied. The study results indicated that in terms of satisfaction with the economic performance of their farms, there is no major difference between the opinions expressed by organic and conventional farm owners. However, organic farming could be an alternative livelihood strategy from the environmental policy perspective.

In Poland, the development of renewable energy primarily focuses on solar energy, especially through household prosumer installations. One emerging solution for promoting distributed renewable energy is energy cooperatives. The main aim of the research was to identify the legal and socioeconomic factors influencing the formation and growth of energy cooperatives in Poland and to provide recommendations for their development. The research, conducted in 2024, covered 47 energy cooperatives. The data gathered included information from the National Court Register (KRS), the National Support Centre for Agriculture (KOWR), and qualitative research through in-depth individual interviews using the CATI technique (computer-assisted telephone interview). The findings highlight the need to streamline legal regulations concerning energy cooperatives, particularly the dual registration system (KRS and KOWR), which delays operational start-up. They also suggest reviewing restrictions on the area and power capacity for renewable energy distribution. Proper training for cooperative managers and network operator staff is essential. Given the early stage of Poland’s energy cooperative development, ongoing monitoring is necessary. Further research will aid in creating effective tools to foster the growth of distributed renewable energy, especially through energy cooperatives.

W artykule dokonano oceny stopnia powiązania gospodarstw ekologicznych z rynkiem oraz ich towarowości. Oszacowano możliwości rozwoju tych gospodarstw w Polsce, w kontekście światowych tendencji rozwoju rolnictwa ekologicznego i WPR 2014-2020. W analizach wykorzystano dane GUS, GIJHARS oraz wyniki badań terenowych przeprowadzonych w 2011 r. w woj. warmińsko-mazurskim wśród 399 rolników ekologicznych, otrzymujących wsparcie w ramach programu rolnośrodowiskowego. Z przeprowadzonych analiz wynika, że rolnictwo ekologiczne dynamicznie się rozwija na wszystkich kontynentach, ale poszczególne kraje UE realizują zróżnicowane strategie jego rozwoju. Problemem polskich gospodarstw ekologicznych jest ich niska towarowość oraz niski poziom produkcji zwierzęcej, a kluczowym czynnikiem warunkującym funkcjonowanie tych gospodarstw są subwencje rolnicze.

The aim of this article is to analyze the environmental conditions of organic farming in Poland with respect to its financial support in the agri-environmental programme. A comparative analysis was conducted using the statistical data from the State Statistical Office and GIJHARS as well as those from the Agency for Agriculture Restructuring and Modernisation. The analyses showed that the organic farming development depended on financial support. It is necessary to diversify the financial support system because of the aim which we want to achieve, in particular the environmental protection or the organic food production. Celem pracy jest analiza uwarunkowań środowiskowych rozwoju rolnictwa ekologicznego w Polsce w aspekcie wsparcia tego systemu gospodarowania w ramach programu rolnośrodowiskowego. W analizach wykorzystano dane GUS, dane GIJHARS oraz dane ARiMR. Z przeprowadzonych analiz wynika, że rozwój rolnictwa ekologicznego jest przede wszystkim uzależniony od istniejących systemów wsparcia finansowego. Istnieje zatem potrzeba zróżnicowania systemów wsparcia finansowego w zależności od celu, który chcemy osiągnąć, w szczególności takich, jak ochrona walorów środowiskowych lub produkcja żywności ekologicznej.