Abstract:

The aim of this study was to present the selected crises phenomena occurring in Polish agriculture, including livestock production, in the 20th. century and the first two decades of the 21st. century. During the 20th. century the first significant degradation of agriculture was caused by the World War I, which resulted in the lost of 37,5% cattle, 48% horses, 52% pigs and 60% of sheep, compared to the pre-war situation. The next and particularly acute agrarian and food crisis in the 1930s, was a direct result of the Great Depression, and again led to the profound impoverishment of rural areas.