Perhaps some have less shame than in the past

Polish farmers have come to love the EU. Since accession, apprehension of competed by farms more efficient in Western Europe and the spectre of bankruptcy tend to fade. Direct aid probably contributed, even if they are significantly lower than in the West of the continent. If morale is better, it remains to know what the real scope of the changes in the Polish countryside during recent years. Has one of the last bastions of the tradition in Europe started to modernize

For a long time the Polish campaign appeared to be synonym of underdevelopment. It was first and foremost think of saggy paths, to the lack of hygiene, etc. An old horse hauling a carriage wooden covered mud road This is the image type that accompanied often in Western newspapers, the articles on the Poland. During the 1990s, the gap between urban and rural widened more and more, even if multiple links remained between the two. It is in cities that were the opportunities offered by the market economy, while the campaign, stronghold of tradition, was the "poor parent." Those who could, left work in the cities or migrated.

Today, approximately 14 of rural people of the European Union live in the Polish campaign. Polish agriculture employing 2 million people, the Poland has the largest rural population of the EU. However, we feel well that, for some time, changes are underway. Also evolving is the manner in which the campaign is seen by poles: by those who inhabit it, but also by city dwellers. This is, at least, is the annual "Polish campaign 2006" (Foundation for the development of Polish agriculture). Its authors point out that the first years after accession have been good for our agriculture. Indeed, in the first year, public expenditure (at the national and community levels) for agriculture and rural development have more than tripled from the previous year. In 2005, they increased by 50, including through the implementation of several programmes. Medium-sized areas of farms remain low, the Poland has not experienced the phenomenon of concentration of land, own socialist economy or the early phase of capitalism. However, a shift appears to be initiated. There is an increase in the number of large farms, encouraged by the popularity of the structural pension enjoyed by a growing number of farmers, which decided to leave their farms to their children or sell. The concentration of the soil and thus, production are just beginning. Whole sectors including the agri-food are at the time of modernization. Thus, the market of agricultural machinery and tractors growing strong. This will shortly bring greater mechanization of work, which will result in an even greater concentration of soil.

The inhabitants of the countryside are open accounts at the Bank, learn the complicated administrative procedures, discover the virtues of cooperation. The aspirations of farmers and their children also occur in the field of education. Application which responds now a large number of small private higher education institutions. The journey is of course too short for delays accumulated over the years are caught. Well, we will see if the observed developments are sustainable and are part of an extensive process of mutation of the Polish campaign. Much will depend on the Government funding policy structural to know to what extent they will be used to best allow the modernization of rural areas.

The current changes are not indifferent to the way in which the rural world is seen in Poland, as the evidence of the last Polish opinion CBOS Institute survey. In a few years, the acceptance of the idea of living in the countryside grew (from 30 in 1998 to 42 in 2006). Poles who acknowledge having family ties to the campaign are more numerous. Perhaps some have less shame than in the past.

The campaign is considered a place of attractive life, especially by inactive persons: annuitants, unemployed, elderly people. It could be inferred that the tendency to settle in the countryside is the result of unemployment and the ageing of the population. In any event, the number of retirees would cease to grow in the coming years. Therefore, migration flows towards the campaign should grow. Indeed, life is calmer, less costly, more secure.

Life in the campaign also seems to try more and more graduates of secondary schools and higher, managers and, in General, intellectual workers. With their training, their material situation and their taste to cooperate, some of them could contribute to the acceleration of changes to the campaign. It is the same for young people. Indeed, the share of the 25 to 34 years saying ready to settle a day in the countryside has increased from 25 to 40.

Several years there has been in the European Union in a debate on the reform of the common agricultural policy (Cap). Among the new Member countries, it is the Poland which is the main beneficiary of this policy. There is very likely that she would not join the camp of the fierce reformers of the CAP. It weigh instead of its weight in the European debate, so that said reform is not the day before 2013 (the date on which the aid to farmers in the old and new Member countries should be harmonized) unless alignment early, favorable to Polish farmers. Warsaw will strive to preserve the interests of small farmers demanding increase in dairy, grain production quotas, etc. And specific protection of certain products (for example, strawberries or tobacco). Yet it should not expect massive concessions, single intended to reassure some European partners.