Changes in the sustainability of farms operating in regions with different natural and economic conditions

This study aimed to assess changes in economic, ecological and emission indicators in field crop farms and dairy farms in two regions of Poland that are diverse in terms of natural and economic conditions: Mazowsze and Podlasie, and Małopolska and Pogórze. Data comes from the FADN system. The time scope of the analysis covers the years 2013-2022. The ecological assessment was carried out on the basis of the following indicators: use of mineral fertilisers and plant protection products, animal density and soil organic matter balance. The economic assessment included: net value added, income from the family farm, financial surplus, and the rate of reproduction of fixed assets. Field crop farms in both regions were very similar in terms of the analysed variables, which indicates a similar structure of crop production regardless of the region. Changes in the values of economic and environmental indicators had a similar direction. Farms from the Małopolska and Pogórze regions achieved lower economic results, but are characterised by greater environmental sustainability. Farms in Mazovia and Podlasie have shown more dynamic development, have distinguished themselves in achieving economic effects in milk production, but they are characterised by higher environmental pressure. This indicates the increasing diversity of dairy farms in Poland, and regional differences in milk production are more pronounced than in the case of field crop production.