Tendencje rozwojowe gospodarstw rolnych w Niemczech Wschodnich na przykładzie Meklemburgii - Pomorza Przedniego w latach 1991-2007

Przedstawiono zmiany w strukturze gospodarstw rolnych Niemiec Wschodnich zachodzące pod wpływem uwarunkowań przyrodniczych, historycznych, politycznych i gospodarczych w latach 1991-2007. Szczegółowej analizie poddano zmiany wielkości i własności indywidualnych gospodarstw rolnych oraz procesy adaptacji rolnictwa państwowego i spółdzielczego do nowych warunków ekonomicznych, tj. gospodarki wolnorynkowej.

The analysis of the changes in the size and ownership structure of farms in the region of Mecklenburg in the years 1990-2007 shows regularity. Numerous obstacles hindered restructuring processes in the area. They included economical (liabilities of the LPGs, small capital in the hands of private farmers), legal (lack of legal documents in the hands of the former land owners), and social obstacles (inadequate size of rural population). Despite the above, both large-area cooperative (LPG) and state (VG) farms have been restructured into commercial farms which belong to either natural or legal persons. The number of farms grew from 1,000 in 1989 up to 5,151 in 2007. The average size, however, decreased from 3,500 hectares in 1989 to 256 hectares, while the average farm size for the entire Germany remains to be 30 hectares. The growth in the number of farms and the decrease in their size are both positive changes, as they result in a restoration of the rural farming landscape as well as deconcentration of animal production. Betterment of economic situation of farms followed, as they were freed of debts, their work capacity increased, and investment and modernization of the farms intensified. Smaller- size farms proved to be more effective in terms of their management.