The role of education and extension services for organic and conventional farming in the region of Podkarpacie, Poland
¹Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Biology, Warsaw University of LifeSciences, Ul. Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warszawa, Poland;e-mail: katarzyna_kucinska@sggw.pl , jan_golba@sggw.pl
Abstract:
Knowledge and know-how are the most important factors in many branches of the national economy. The same rules apply to organic agriculture. This was investigated in the Podkarpackie region in Poland. A survey revealed that lack of professional knowledge in the area of organic agriculture is seen as an important obstacle to running a farm. The process of conversion is assessed less strictly by farmers with higher education. Moreover, the direction of education is more important for proper farm management than its level. To succeed in running an organic farm, farmers emphasised two important issues. They are government subsidies and a well organised extension service.
Key words:
development, education, extension service, organic farming, Podkarpacie