The Economic and Technological Challenges of the Agri-Development Implementation Model in the Case of the Wielkopolska Region in Poland

This study discusses key issues relating to the agri-development perspective, which is based on the “numbered” agriculture model. Selected economic and technological dilemmas related to agribusiness development in the Wielkopolska region of Poland were reviewed. Based not only on a literature review, but also on our own research, we identified the current challenges for farmers in terms of innovation, green energy, and environmental ideas. Using the diagnostic survey method, with agricultural practitioners as experts, the potential directions of regional agricultural development were assessed from the perspective of programming the next stages of the “agricultural revolution”. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with purposely invited farmers from Wielkopolska, one of the most agriculturally developed regions of Poland. By verifying the ex post assessment of the key pillars of the Agriculture “3.0” and “4.0” concepts’ adaptation model, as carried out on the respondents’ farms, the optimal model for farm operation was sought. The study assumed the implementation of the next stages of agribusiness development had taken place and that implementation of the “Agriculture 5.0” model, under the conditions evaluated, was possible. The so-defined hypothesis was only partially confirmed (conditionally). The identified potential provides a development path for the optimal idea of “Agriculture N.0”, with the value of “N” not yet known. Finally, key conclusions and recommendations relating to Wielkopolska’s agribusiness were formulated.