The presented prognosis indicates possible directions and conditions of changes that will take place in the Polish countryside within the next few years. It should be underlined that this period will encompass both positive and negative processes. During this period 2.5 billion Euros (not including money for the Common Agricultural Policy) will be devoted to the development of rural areas. Together with domestic funds, it makes a total sum of 3 billion Euros of available financial resources. Having topped these funds up with investors’ own contributions, it will be possible to deal with total financial support of 4.5 - 4.9 billion Euros per annum. This will allow us to change the image of rural areas considerably, especially the level of technical infrastructure and the quality of productive potential of agriculture, as well as agribusiness. Therefore, the countryside and farms will have many more investment opportunities at their disposal. It is predicted that these funds should first of all be devoted to creating new work opportunities in rural areas and subsequently to improve competitiveness of farms due to their progressive concentration and technical modernisation. These processes are strongly related to each other and, therefore, one should not suppose considerable regional farm concentration without providing workplaces for farmers, especially the least skilled. On the other hand, one should mention processes that will make carrying out the intentions difficult. One of them is undoubtedly further limitation of agricultural expenses, especially after year 2013 (Common Agricultural Policy included). The reform of Common Agricultural Policy that took place in 2003 assumed stabilisation of expenses on agriculture as well as their gradual reinvesting in I and II Common Agricultural Policy levels. Further changes that might take place in the subsequent period of planning (2014-2020) are not yet known, which significantly limits the possibilities of outlining aims and priorities for Poland. It should be assumed that further limitations of funds for agriculture and rural areas in general are yet to come. The above mentioned is supported by the following three reasons: - More and more popular criticism of the Common Agricultural Policy as it is shaped right now, - Funds for Common Agricultural Policy after new members with big agricultural population (Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Turkey) would need to be increased, - Negotiations related to liberalisation of world markets within WTO.
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