EDUCATION AS A DETERMINANT OF THE IMpLEMENTATION OF INNOVATION IN AGRICULTURE IN THE LIGHT OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH

The paper presents the results of empirical research conducted among farmers from different Polish provinces. The study involved 140 farmers, where half of them were young people (so-called young farmers, in the age under 40), and the remaining – older farmers. The attitudes of farmers towards innovation were examined, taking into account some factors of human capital. The study was conducted using the survey method. Based on the obtained results the significant relationship between the level of education and the quality of human capital was indicated. The younger, well-educated farmers are looking for new solutions and willing to implement innovations. Despite the pro-innovative attitudes, implementation of new solutions is very difficult. In the opinion of respondents, the most important barrier to the implementation of innovation is not the lack of knowledge and information about new solutions, but the lack of funds and the high cost of new technologies.