ASSESSING AGRICULTURAL EFFICIENCY IN THE CONTEXT OF THE EU GREEN DEAL AND UN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF POLAND AND ALBANIA

Abstract

The study aimed to assess agricultural efficiency in the context of the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals in Poland (a full EU member) and Albania (an EU candidate country). An index method was used, referring to agricultural efficiency and its structural characteristics, as well as the degree of implementation of selected sustainable development goals in 2010–2022. The research revealed that Poland's labour productivity index in agriculture is significantly higher than Albania's, while Albania's land productivity index is higher. The countries also differed in terms of the structural characteristics of agriculture, as evidenced by the relatively high share of agriculture in Albania's total gross value added and total employment. It was shown that organic farming plays a much greater role in Poland, although its development trends are weak. At the same time, Polish agriculture is characterised by significantly higher levels of mineral fertilisation, which are trending downwards in line with the EU Green Deal's assumptions.. Based on the research conducted, a reduction in the emissions intensity of Albanian agriculture has been observed, which is consistent with the assumptions of UN SDG13. However, agriculture in Poland remains a significant emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs), so an essential direction for reform should be to support climate-friendly agriculture without compromising productivity. Although Albania has reduced malnutrition and improved food availability, the level of severe food insecurity remains higher than in Poland. Both countries must continue to reform agriculture in line with the EU Green Deal and SDG 2.