Development of Agriculture in Eastern Europe with Special

Focus on Poland and Romania :

Agriculture is a vital sector for the economies and societies of Eastern Europe, a region that
comprises 28 countries with diverse levels of development, resources, and challenges. Agriculture
provides food security, income, employment, and environmental services for millions of people in
the region. However, agriculture also faces many constraints and opportunities that require
appropriate policies, investments, and innovations to enhance its productivity, sustainability, and
competitiveness. In this essay, I will analyze the development of agriculture in Eastern Europe, with a
special focus on two countries: Poland and Romania. I will compare and contrast their agricultural
history, current status, and prospects for the future.

History :

Agriculture in Eastern Europe has a long and rich history that dates back to the Neolithic period,
when the first domestication of plants and animals occurred. Agriculture was influenced by various
factors, such as climate, geography, culture, religion, trade, migration, wars, and colonization.
Agriculture also played a key role in the formation of states, empires, and civilizations in the region.

Poland and Romania have some similarities and differences in their agricultural history. Both
countries have a predominantly agrarian tradition that was shaped by their location in the fertile
plains of Central and Eastern Europe. Both countries experienced periods of prosperity and decline
under different political regimes and external influences. Both countries also underwent significant
changes in their agricultural systems after the Second World War, when they became part of the
socialist bloc.

However, Poland and Romania also have some distinctive features in their agricultural history. Poland
has a more diversified agricultural structure than Romania, with a higher share of livestock
production and mixed farming. Poland also has a stronger cooperative movement and a more
developed rural infrastructure than Romania. Romania has a more extensive agricultural land area
than Poland, with a higher share of arable land and permanent crops. Romania also has a more
varied agro-climatic conditions than Poland, with different regions suitable for different crops.

Current Status :

Agriculture in Eastern Europe has undergone significant transformations since the collapse of
communism in the early 1990s. The main changes include the privatization and restitution of land
ownership, the liberalization of markets and prices, the integration into the European Union (EU) for
some countries, the adoption of new technologies and practices, and the diversification of products
and markets. Agriculture has also faced many challenges, such as land fragmentation, low
productivity, environmental degradation, rural poverty, aging population, labor migration, climate
change, and competition from other regions.

Poland and Romania are among the largest agricultural producers and exporters in Eastern Europe.
They are also members of the EU since 2004 and 2007 respectively, which has brought them many
benefits but also obligations. According to the latest data from FAO (2020), Poland has an agricultural
land area of 14.4 million hectares (ha), which accounts for 46% of its total land area. Poland produces
mainly cereals (wheat, barley, rye), potatoes, sugar beets, rapeseed, fruits (apples), vegetables
(cabbage), milk, pork, poultry.

Romania has an agricultural land area of 13.3 million ha, which accounts for 56% of its total land
area. Romania produces mainly cereals (maize, wheat, barley), sunflower, rapeseed, fruits (plums,
grapes), vegetables (tomatoes), milk, pork, poultry, and eggs. Both Poland and Romania have a dual
agricultural structure, with a large number of small-scale farms and a small number of large-scale
farms. Both countries also have a high share of rural population and employment in agriculture,
compared to the EU average. However, Poland has a higher agricultural output and value added than
Romania, as well as a higher level of mechanization, irrigation, and innovation. Romania has a higher
agricultural land use intensity and crop diversity than Poland, as well as a higher level of organic
farming and agro-tourism.

Prospects

Agriculture in Eastern Europe has a great potential for further development and improvement in the
future. The main opportunities include the increasing demand for food and bioenergy, the availability
of natural resources and human capital, the access to the EU market and funds, the potential for
diversification and value addition, and the adoption of sustainable and resilient practices. Agriculture
can also contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Green
Deal objectives in the region.

Poland and Romania have some common and specific prospects for their agricultural development.
Both countries can benefit from enhancing their productivity, quality, and competitiveness of their
agricultural products, as well as from expanding their domestic and foreign markets. Both countries
can also benefit from improving their rural infrastructure, services, and governance, as well as from
increasing their rural income and welfare. However, Poland can also benefit from strengthening its
cooperative sector, reducing its environmental impact, and promoting its regional specialties.
Romania can also benefit from consolidating its land market, modernizing its farm equipment, and
preserving its biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Conclusion :

Agriculture is an important sector for Eastern Europe in general and for Poland and Romania in
particular. Agriculture has a long and rich history in the region that reflects its diversity and
complexity. Agriculture has also undergone significant changes in the recent decades that have
brought both opportunities and challenges. Agriculture has a great potential for further development
and improvement in the future that can benefit both the producers and consumers in the region and
beyond.