It is now a tradition that the University of Agriculture with the Agricultural Advisory Centre in Brwinów, Branch in Krakow and the Małopolskie Province organised an international conference dedicated to small agricultural holdings. This year, the conference focused on the alternative sources of income in small agricultural holdings of the European Union. In the welcome speech, Professor Janusz Żmija presented conclusions on the previous four conferences, while characterising changes introduced in the jurisdiction and directions of the assumed European Union strategies, thanks to the proposals offered by the scientific community. Subsequently, His Magnificence Rector Professor Włodzimierz Sady familiarised the audience with the directions of research conducted at the University, with a particular mention of economic and social challenges the farmers that work in small agricultural holdings must face, with a number of references to the latest publications on the state of the Polish countryside. He also characterised the educational offer of the University of Agriculture. Zofia Krzyżanowska - General Counsel at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, who was also present at the conference, made a reference to the Rector's statement, with her focus on the introduction of changes that the Polish countryside has undergone since Poland's accession to the European Union. She presented a broad account on the production subsidies mechanisms, which will be enforceable in the years between 2014-2020. Their implementation will result in a significant increase in the amounts of subsidies, particularly for production facilities. She also emphasised the fact that the support for the young farmers' activities will be a crucial element of a new perspective in agriculture. After that, Stanisław Sorys - the Deputy Marshall of the Małopolskie Province, speaking on behalf of Marek Sowa - the Marshall of the Province, stressed the potential of the region, especially the activities undertaken in the scope of promoting agro-tourism and distributing regional products. Furthermore, Wojciech Szczepanik - the Governor of the Małopolskie Province indicated that the main problem of the Polish countryside lies in the economic discrepancies, which do not contribute to a balanced development. He pointed out that the development of new technologies, including alternative sources of energy, can constitute a precious alternative for this sector. The deliberations were held in two sessions: agricultural and non-agricultural. Following the pattern of previous years, the final communiqué will be drawn up and sent to politicians and academic institutions in Poland and Europe.

Prepared by: Szymon Sikorski, PhD