During the Jasna Góra Harvest Festival and Farmers’ Pilgrimage in Częstochowa, Polish President Karol Nawrocki commended farmers for their crucial role in safeguarding the country’s food security, national heritage, and rural communities. He emphasized the importance of the countryside in maintaining Poland’s sovereignty through a reliable food supply. Nawrocki stressed the necessity for the state to support farmers, particularly when faced with challenges like drought and frost, rather than leaving them to navigate these difficulties alone.
Nawrocki portrayed Polish farmers as custodians of the nation’s land and cultural legacy, underscoring the significance of rural communities. He praised the efforts of farmers’ organizations, volunteer fire brigades, and local authorities in conserving Polish traditions, religious practices, family values, and folk culture. The president expressed strong opposition to initiatives he perceives as threats to Polish agricultural land, reaffirming his commitment to keeping it under Polish ownership. He mentioned a legislative initiative aimed at prolonging restrictions on the sale of such land and voiced support for measures that uphold the productive capacity of rural areas.
Opposing the European Union’s Mercosur agreement, Nawrocki warned of its potential adverse effects on Polish farmers and agricultural production. He also criticized the EU Green Deal, urging for greater consideration of the rural population’s concerns. The president highlighted his efforts to amplify farmers’ voices through proposed referendums on climate policy and the Green Deal. Disappointed with the Senate’s rejection of these proposals, he called for senators to better heed the concerns of farmers and rural communities.
In his concluding remarks, Nawrocki vowed ongoing support for Poland’s countryside, expressing confidence that rural communities grasp the nation’s interests and will persist in defending its traditions, lands, and agricultural future. His comments reinforced the critical role that farmers play not only in food production but also in preserving the cultural and social fabric of the nation.