INDEX-BASED INSURANCE OF GROSS MARGIN IN AGRICULTURE – KEY CHALLENGES

The paper attempts at assessment of usefulness of the index-based insurance of gross margin compared to traditional production insurances. The analysis used FADN data and was limited to the example of winter wheat. The conducted simulations showed that the category of gross margin is characterized by higher variability than yields or prices, thus the costs of its insurance expressed as fair premium would be higher than the costs of traditional production insurance. However, the major problem in case of index-based insurances is still the basic risk related to the possibility that part of the insured will not receive compensation even though they incurred losses. The conducted analyses showed that the assumption of the index basing on the average drop in yields in a voivodeship would result in major percentage of errors as regards payment and refusal of payment of the compensation compared to individual insurance. Structuring of the system of index-based insurances would require collecting data – to construct indices – from areas of much smaller territorial coverage

Awareness of sustainable agriculture among Polish farmers – beneficiaries of the Common Agricultural Policy

The main objective of the study was to assess the awareness of issues related to “sustainable agriculture” among Polish farmers using support under the CAP based on selected agricultural practices they used. The study covered a representative sample of 600 farmers participating in the Polish FADN. Data available in the FADN database were supplemented with data obtained during direct interviews with farmers. The value of parameters indicating the degree of farm sustainability was analyzed depending on the type and value of financial support received from the EU. The results of the conducted analyses indicate that on average the highest sustainability parameters were characterized by farms using agri-environmental programs and at the same time located in LFA areas, while the lowest level of these parameters was observed in the remaining units located in LFA. The analysis of differences between groups of farms distinguished on the basis of the total value of subsidies showed that units that received absolutely higher support were characterized by a higher level of sustainability indicators. Based on the conducted analyses, it was found that receiving greater and more diversified support has a positive effect on the level of farm sustainability

Methodical and practical aspects of the parity income in the Polish agriculture

The topic of farmers’ income is one of the most frequently discussed issues in agricultural economics literature. Particular interest is focused on the problem of the so-called parity income. The study attempts to assess the amount of farmers’ income from own labour in the context of average wages in the national economy. The analysis covered individual farms within the field of the Polish FADN observation. The study used farm net income (SE420) and the income from farmers’ own labour. The results of the study based on the FADN sample were compared with the average net wages according to the Statistics Poland. The analysis covered the period between 2006 and 2017. The analyses showed the existence of a clear difference between the average income from work on the farm (calculated after taking into account the alternative costs of land and capital) and the average net wage in the national economy. At the same time, significant differences were observed between agricultural income per unit of own labour depending on the economic size of the farm. Only medium-large, large and very large farms provided wages higher than average in the economy. The existing differences in the level of income correspond to the level of labour productivity, which suggests that one of the ways to limit the income problem in the Polish agriculture are structural changes leading to an increase in the average economic size of farms

Development of the Biomethane Market in Europe

The challenges related to climate policy and the energy crisis caused the search for alternative ways of obtaining energy, one of the essential tasks faced by scientists and political decision-makers. Recently, much attention has been paid to biomethane, which is perceived as a substitute for natural gas. Compared to the traditional combustion of biogas in cogeneration units (CHP), upgrading it to the form of biomethane can bring both environmental benefits (reduction in GHG emissions) and economic benefits (higher efficiency of energy use contained in biomass). The purpose of this review was a comprehensive assessment of the conditions and opportunities for developing the biomethane sector in the EU in the face of challenges generated by the energy and climate crisis. The article reviews the condition of the biomethane market in the European Union, focusing on such issues as biomethane production technologies, current and future supply and demand for biomethane, and biomethane production costs with particular emphasis on upgrading processes and financial support systems used in the EU countries. The review showed that the market situation in biomethane production has recently begun to change rapidly. However, the share of biomethane in meeting the needs for natural gas remains small. Moreover, the available expert studies indicate a significant development potential, which is desirable because of the need to increase energy security and environmental and economic reasons. However, this will require organizing the legal environment and creating a transparent system of incentives

Farmers’ Attitudes towards Risk—An Empirical Study from Poland

Risk aversion is an important research area in the field of agricultural economics in the last years. Creating effective and efficient risk management tools in an increasingly volatile economic and natural environment requires proper recognition of farmers’ behavior and attitudes towards risk. In this context, the main aim of the paper was to estimate farmers’ attitudes towards risk and identification of farm’s and farmer’s characteristics in dependency on risk aversion level. The assessment of farmers’ preferences towards risk was based on hypothetical games in a representative sample of 600 Polish farms—participants of Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). Based on the interviews with farmers, a relative risk aversion coefficient has been estimated. Results revealed that on average Polish farmers have quite a strong risk aversion. Their attitudes towards risk are strongly linked with their self-assessment regarding their way of making decisions under risk. Some relations between farmers’ risk aversion and perception of selected risk factors could also be observed. The results revealed that the application of specified risk management tools by farmers and their potential reaction to a significant income drop are related to risk aversion level

Home Bio-Waste Composting for the Circular Economy

The consequence of the current economic development model is the generation of large amounts of waste and energy losses. One way to change this negative trend is a more rational use of raw materials reducing the amount of generated wastes. Biowaste, which may be divided into garden and kitchen waste, constitutes the main part of municipal waste. At the household level, it can be managed through composting—the most sustainable way of biowaste management. In this context, this paper aims to assess the economic and environmental effects of implementing the home composting incentive program introduced by one of the municipalities near Warsaw (Poland). The study is based on the estimation of the amount of biowaste generated in the commune, as well as on the number of households with the potential to compost biowastes. The effects of implementing the composting program were evaluated at different participation levels. The cartographic-based methods (GIS) were used in the analyses. Additionally, willingness to accept home composting by residents and its main determinants were examined. The results of the study indicate that the changes in the current household biodegradable waste management model are practicable and generate positive economic and environmental effects. However, the promotion of home composting requires active support from the local authorities, both in the financial dimension and by increasing residents’ environmental awareness

Avascular Necrosis Bone Complication after Active COVID-19 Infection: Preliminary Results.

Background and objectives: The course of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is still under analysis. The majority of complications arising from the infection are related to the respiratory system. The adverse effect of the viral infection on bone and joint tissue has also been observed. Materials and Methods: We present a group of 10 patients with degeneration of large joints and adjacent epiphyses of long bones and the spine, with a background of bone infarctions and avascular necrosis (AVN) immediately after infection with the COVID-19 virus. In MR imaging, changes in the characteristics of AVN were documented. Results: Observation of this group showed a clear correlation among the history of COVID-19 disease in the patients, moderately severe symptoms, high levels of IgG antibodies, and the time of occurrence of joint changes. No other clinically significant complications were observed following COVID-19 infection in the study group. No other risk factors for AVN or autoimmune or degenerative diseases were found in the study group. The group of patients responded well to empirical treatment with steroids, which normalized acute inflammatory symptoms and pain in the joints. Conclusions: During coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, there are complications in the locomotor system, such as microembolism and the formation of AVN; hence, more research is needed