CONDITIONS FOR INTRODUCING INNOVATION ON FARMS

Innovations are an integral element of the development of economic units, including farms. The main aim of the research was to identify and characterize the implemented innovations and methods of managing them on farms. The research was carried out on the basis of an original survey questionnaire addressed to 80 owners of farms from the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship. The research was carried out between June and November 2020. Research results have shown that innovations in agriculture are implemented mainly for economic reasons. Important reasons for these activities are the desire to achieve higher income, farm development, increase in efficiency and decrease in labor intensity. The most frequently indicated external barriers when trying to implement innovations were difficulties in obtaining the necessary funds, and internal ones: fear of failure and insufficient level of own funds. After implementing the innovation, farmers observed an increase in production capacity and a decrease in labor intensity. Thanks to innovations, many respondents were able to expand the area of their operations and influence the development of their farms.