Evaluation of Changes in Exclusion of Arable Land from Agricultural Production in Poland in the Context of Guidelines of the Strategy for Responsible Development

Purpose: The identification of changes in the exclusion of arable land from agricultural production in Poland and the demonstration of trends in the presence of the Strategy of Responsible Development (Polish acronym: SOR). Design/Methodology/Approach: An analysis, parallel to a literature review, was conducted using the local databanks of Statistics Poland (GUS) concerning the exclusion of arable land in Poland, broken down into provinces (voivodeships). The research involved the use of an index of changes with the variable base. A forecast until 2030 was also elaborated, based on the logistic function. Findings: The research results have shown that excluding arable land from agricultural production was not altered under the influence of the Strategy for Responsible Development (SOR). The research covering the period before the SOR (2010-2015) was developed and, while it was operational, did not indicate a change in tendencies. The largest share of exclusions was made for residential purposes, and the 2030 perspective envisages a further growth of this share. Practical Implications: An objective of the SOR was to limit the expansion onto undeveloped areas by giving the preference to renewed use of land and thus putting the brakes on the uncontrolled urban sprawl. However, the latter tendency accelerates rather than slows down at the expense of arable land around urban centers. Originality/Value: Because of the specific properties of land (it does not increase in size and is immovable) and because of the rise in the dynamics of exclusions of arable land from agricultural use, there is a need for constant research and elaboration of the theoretical background for rational management of agricultural real estate properties by the principles of sustainable development.