Brussels, 27/07/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 17 July, Eurostat published data on farm structures in Poland (in 2005), showing that 52% of agricultural area and 60% of livestock are to be found in farms of less than 20 hectares in size. In June 2005, Poland had around 1,082 million agricultural holdings of at least one European Size Unit (ESU). These holdings employed 1.7 million persons working full time and used about 13.1 million ha of agricultural area, i.e. on average 12.1 hectare per holding (compared to 12.2 ha in 2002).
Amongst these 1 082 700 agricultural holdings: - 27% made use of less than one AWU (annual work unit), while 30% made use of 2 or more AWUs; - 35% used less than 5 ha, while 2% used 50 ha or more; - 14% were holdings of the type combined field cropping - grazing livestock, 12% mixed cropping, 11% mixed livestock, mainly granivores (pigs and poultry), 11% were producing various crops and livestock, and 9% were engaged in mixed (mainly grazing) livestock; - 51% of their agricultural area were situated in less favoured or mountain areas; - 21% were producing mainly for their own consumption; - and 6% benefited from direct investment aid.
Furthermore, the Eurostat survey shows that, among the 1 079 400 sole holders, 22% were women; 21% were aged 55 or more, and only 18% younger than 35 years; and 29% had another gainful activity as their major occupation.