The potential for development of non-agricultural activities in rural areas of northwest Poland

The objective of this study was to assess the potential for growth of non-agricultural rural activities in northwest Poland. The analysis was performed within a linear regression framework. The results demonstrated that non-agricultural activities were determined by entrepreneurship, infrastructure and small size of farms. The estimated potential of nonagricultural activities was highest in Zachodniopomorskie voivodeship, moderate in Wielkopolskie voivodeship, and lowest in Lubuskie voivodeship. The results also suggest that in order to fully tap into the potential of non-agricultural activities, some institutional support needs to be provided by the local government.