Agroecological Potential Of Agriculture As An Element Of Regions’ Competitiveness

The aim of this study was to evaluate the agri-ecological potential of agriculture in terms of regions on the voivodeship level. The source of data was the analyses made by Central Statistical Office (GUS) (2010-2012) and the study’s results presented in publications connected with the discussed issues. In the paper, three scopes of evaluation were made, which were further characterized by specific indices. They include the quality of agricultural area (environment), the state of soil covering with flora and the agrichemical state of the soil. After expressing the partial indices’ value by 5o point-based scale and their verification (number reduction and indices’ aggregation) the agri-ecological potential of agriculture by means of synthetic scoring index was assessed. Four voivodeships excelled in the most favourable quality of agricultural area, i.e. Opole Voivodeship, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship and Lublin Voivodeship whereas the worst conditions to agricultural production were identified in two voivodeships – Masovian and Podlaskie. The best state of soil covering with flora was found in Lubush and Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship while the worst index of soil protection in terms of flora function was noted in Lublin and Holy Cross Voivodeship. With respect to the agrichemical state of the soil the best assessment was given to Opole and Lower Silesian Voivodeship whereas the lowest notes were reported in Masovian and Podlaskie. In the synthetic view (three scopes of evaluation) the most favourable index of agri-ecological potential was reported in case of two voivodeships – Opole and Lower Silesian while definitely the worst with regard to Masovian and Podlaskie. Low evaluation of the agri-ecological potential results mainly from the low quality of the agricultural area as well as unfavourable agrichemical state of the soil in abovementioned voivodeships.