The browser you are using is not supported by this website. All versions of Internet Explorer are no longer supported, either by us or Microsoft (read more here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/windows/end-of-ie-support).

Please use a modern browser to fully experience our website, such as the newest versions of Edge, Chrome, Firefox or Safari etc.

Kes McCormick .jpeg

Kes McCormick

Senior lecturer

Kes McCormick .jpeg

Energy Crops: Investigation of Socio-economic Barriers for Farmers in Poland

Author

  • Kes McCormick
  • H. Nilsson
  • E. Ganko

Summary, in English

Poland holds great potential for bioenergy. However, biomass production from dedicated energy crops has not developed at a pace that was hoped. Clearly, there are barriers hindering farmers. The aim of this research was to directly explore the farmers’ perspective on barriers to growing dedicated energy crops in Poland. During the on-the-ground research conducted in Poland the perceptions regarding the main barriers for willow cultivation for farmers in the Grudziądz region were investigated. Over 30 interviews were conducted with farmers and local actors. The bottom-line for not engaging in willow cultivation is that so far willow has not been perceived as being competitive with other traditional crops. The 4 most often mentioned barriers by farmers are as follows: financial, knowledge, equipment and market.



Financial Barriers: In Poland, dedicated energy crops appear to remain uncompetitive compared to other traditional crops. The relatively high establishment costs for switching to energy crops is a major barrier for farmers, and the level of support offered for energy crops is considered too low by farmers.



Knowledge Barriers: A lack of information, tradition and experience with a novel crop such as willow is perceived as a factor hindering the development of energy crops. Farmers often expressed the need for a demonstration project that would among other things also prove the yield level of willow.



Equipment Barriers: The equipment for cultivating willow, especially harvesting equipment, is a problem. It is expensive, especially for farmers who have small farms, and there is no sense in purchasing the equipment individually. In the interviews, farmers suggested that collective ownership is needed.



Market Barriers: Market related issues also came forward in the interviews. Farmers need to feel secure that there will be a market once it is time to sell the harvest and that they will get a reasonable price for their product. For most farmers, there is a perception of risk in the marketplace for energy crops.

Department/s

  • The International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics

Publishing year

2007

Language

English

Document type

Report

Publisher

International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics, Lund University

Topic

  • Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

Keywords

  • bioenergy
  • energy crops
  • agriculture
  • energy

Status

Published

Project

  • Bioenergy Network of Excellence: Overcoming Barriers to Expanding Bioenergy