Determinants of innovation in diary farms in Poland

Abstract

Purpose: The article aimed to present the conditions for introducing innovations in Polish farms. Due to the diversity in agricultural production, this research's focus was narrowed down to the group of farms specializing in milk production. Design/Methodology/Approach: The analysis – alongside the literature review - was conducted using primary data collected through surveys carried out amongst 1047 milk producers operating in Poland. The selection of the sample was planned so that the study's outcomes could be generalized and applied to the entire population of milk producers. Findings: The research results have shown that various factors influence the modernization of farms specializing in milk production. As the most important, respondents indicated streamlining the work (making it more comfortable) on the farm, this was rated at 0.519. The next factor was an improvement in the quality of milk produced (0.499), increase of production efficiency (0.490), and compliance with animal welfare requirements (0,469). Practical Implications: Technological changes related to the introduction of innovations in farms are mainly of an exogenous origin. In principle, it is not observed that farmers carry out their research self-activities; in the vast majority of cases, the innovations are made in a non-agricultural environment. Originality/Value: The effect of innovations, which are introduced on farms, are firstly material effects - boiling down to the modernization of the farmer's work environment, and secondly - changes in the volume and structure of production that can lead to the generation of higher income from agricultural activity.