FARMERS’ PENSIONS AS AN INSTRUMENT OF AGRARIAN STRUCTURE CHANGES IN POLAND

Abstract

Abstract: The aim of the paper is to evaluate realization of the farmers’ pensions programme for farmers in the years 2004–2006 in Poland as well as presentation of main directives of the farmers’ pensions programme in Poland in the new programming period of the European Union support for the years 2007–2013. There is an attempt to find an answer for a question: Did the structural pensions program realized in Poland the period 2004–2006 contribute to achievement of structural policy goals on rural areas? The idea of farmers’ pensions is to encourage farmers to stop agricultural production in pre-retirement age and passing owned farms in a way which will improve an agrarian structure in the country. Taking into account indicators concerning program realization, it can be stated that drawing pensions at pre-retirement age in the case of farmers, an important instrument of the Rural Development Plan 2004–2006, contributed significantly to acceleration of generation exchange of farmers.