Spatial differentiation in the absorption European Union funds by agricultural producer groups in the Wielkopolskie Voivodship

Abstract

The article discusses the issue of spatial differentiation of the absorption of funds from Rural Development Programme (RDP) for 2007-2013 by a groups of agricultural producers from the territory of Wielkopolskie Voivodship. Despite the creation of a legal framework in Poland the idea of producer groups do not aroused considerable interest among farmers. To encourage farmers to create this type of institutional structures which increase competitiveness, were created special mechanisms for funding the producer groups for the first 5 years of operation. In Poland producer groups have gained the greatest popularity in Wielkopolskie Voivodeship. In this Voivodeship is registered the highest number of producer groups which also are leading in obtaining funds from the European Union. In the territory of Voivodeship can be observed regional differences in the activity of producer groups which is linked to the historical and natural conditionality.