Farming Practices for Reducing Ammonia Emissions in Polish Agriculture

Abstract

The main source of ammonia emissions in Poland is agriculture. In 2017, approximately 94% of the total ammonia emissions in Poland came from agriculture, of which the largest part (78%) was related to livestock manure and 22% to nitrogen fertilization. This study presents the results of representative research on the implementation of technologies and techniques that reduce ammonia emissions on farms in Poland. The research methodology, including statistical data analysis (multiple correspondence analysis), allowed comparisons to be made of the applied low-carbon practices, taking into account farmers’ characteristics (e.g., age and education) and farm attributes (area size, location, etc.). According to the research, both in the case of mineral fertilization and animal production, farmers in Poland relatively rarely undertake pro-ecological practices aimed at reducing ammonia emissions. The most frequently undertaken activities include dividing the doses of nitrogen fertilizers (in terms of plant production) and the use of feed additives (in terms of livestock production). Empirical studies, supported by correspondence analyses, confirmed a significant differentiation of coexistence and strength of the relationship between the studied variables. The use of correspondence analysis made it possible to precisely recognize the differentiation and co-occurrence of variable categories. In the course of analytical work, a relatively strong correlation was found between the use of divided doses of nitrogen fertilizers and the economic size of farms (φ² = 0.11571). In turn, the use of feed additives was most strongly determined by the economic size of farms (φ² = 0.072614) and the location of farms (φ² = 0.072223).

1. Introduction

Agriculture faces many difficult challenges in the field of environmental protection, which require technological changes both in agriculture itself and in its surroundings (including agrochemicals companies). The intensification of agricultural production, which was aimed at increasing food supply and ensuring a high level of physical and economic food security globally, has consequences in the form of negative externalities (having a direct and indirect impact on water quality and availability, air quality, soil quality, biodiversity, animal health and welfare, etc.). The industrialization of agriculture is associated with the need to bear the effects of anthropogenic activities. One of the main challenges is to reduce ammonia emissions, which contribute to eutrophication, acidification, and loss of biodiversity not only in rural areas [1,2]. Ammonia was included as an air pollutant in the Gothenburg Protocol [3]. Harmfulness of ammonia results not only from its direct toxicity, but primarily from the reactions it enters in the water and soil environment (volatilization from livestock manures and mineral fertilizer application). It is emphasized in the literature that it is agricultural activity that contributes to around 80–90% of the total anthropogenic NH₃ emission [4]. Global agricultural NH₃ emissions increased by 90% between 1970 and 2005 [5]. The harmful effects of ammonia on humans are mainly related to the deterioration of respiratory function and disorders of the eye [6,7]. Ammonia emissions strongly contribute to fine particulate matter (PM2.5-particles with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) pollution and are associated with premature human mortality [8,9,10]. The literature on the subject also emphasizes the role of non-agricultural sources of ammonia emissions (wild animals and sea bird colonies, industry, etc.) [11,12,13]. Nevertheless, it is the reduction of ammonia emissions from agriculture that is the primary element in the context of improving air and water quality and the sustainable development of agriculture and rural areas. Reducing NH₃ emissions is one of the most difficult challenges for environmental regulators around the world [14].

The issue of ammonia emissions from agricultural sources concerns many regions. The literature on the subject analyses emissions, among others, in North and South America, Asia, and Australia [15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22]. The greatest interest includes areas with a large livestock population, high consumption of nitrogen fertilizers, and thus high NH₃ emission. As Xu et al. [23] indicate, excessive ammonia (NH₃) emitted from nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications plays an important role in atmospheric aerosol production, resulting in visibility reduction and regional haze. Emissions generally reach their highest levels twice a year—in spring and autumn [20,24]. Research on ammonia emissions is also carried out in the European Union. The main source of anthropogenic NH₃ in Europe is animal husbandry. Both United Nations treaties and European Union legislation are increasingly limiting atmospheric ammonia emissions [25]. The Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTP) and the European Union National Emission Ceilings Directive (NECD) set limits for national NH₃ emissions and require the reporting of annual emission inventories to demonstrate compliance [5]. Among European countries, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland have the highest levels of ammonia emissions from agricultural sources (

Table 1. Agricultural ammonia emissions in the EU-28 in 2013–2017 [26].

Specification	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017
	Tonne	%	Tonne	%	Tonne	%	Tonne	%	Tonne	%
Belgium	66,048	1.88	64,423	1.81	63,994	1.78	63,013	1.74	62,323	1.71
Bulgaria	37,927	1.08	41,274	1.16	41,932	1.16	42,732	1.18	41,533	1.14
Czechia	64,770	1.84	65,227	1.83	65,914	1.83	65,474	1.81	60,656	1.67
Denmark	69,831	1.99	70,519	1.98	70,578	1.96	70,852	1.96	72,216	1.99
Germany	641,553	18.25	644,822	18.12	655,750	18.20	647,625	17.88	639,807	17.60
Estonia	9306	0.26	9483	0.27	8987	0.25	8888	0.25	8998	0.25
Ireland	106,342	3.03	106,912	3.00	109,408	3.04	114,931	3.17	117,382	3.23
Greece	56,671	1.61	54,668	1.54	52,163	1.45	51,392	1.42	50,130	1.38
Spain	410,882	11.69	431,792	12.14	442,427	12.28	453,398	12.51	469,857	12.92
France	555,502	15.80	565,784	15.90	571,392	15.86	569,858	15.73	568,243	15.63
Croatia	30,205	0.86	28,986	0.81	32,805	0.91	31,441	0.87	31,827	0.88
Italy	363,456	10.34	354,128	9.95	355,409	9.87	370,022	10.21	362,178	9.96
Cyprus	6035	0.17	5936	0.17	5986	0.17	6174	0.17	6272	0.17
Latvia	13,638	0.39	13,981	0.39	14,028	0.39	13,973	0.39	14,039	0.39
Lithuania	26,772	0.76	27,159	0.76	27,134	0.75	26,354	0.73	25,871	0.71
Luxembourg	5068	0.14	5173	0.15	5254	0.15	5376	0.15	5445	0.15
Hungary	72,791	2.07	73,977	2.08	78,256	2.17	78,438	2.17	79,622	2.19
Malta	1173	0.03	1161	0.03	1152	0.03	1099	0.03	1065	0.03
Netherlands	105,530	3.00	109,960	3.09	111,100	3.08	109,720	3.03	113,834	3.13
Austria	61,398	1.75	62,299	1.75	62,945	1.75	63,874	1.76	64,615	1.78
Poland	274,266	7,80	270,052	7.59	266,270	7.39	272,841	7.53	287,914	7.92
Portugal	42,752	1.22	45,150	1.27	46,257	1.28	46,691	1.29	47,060	1.29
Romania	150,223	4.27	147,225	4.14	150,781	4.19	147,135	4.06	144,309	3.97
Slovenia	16,480	0.47	16,789	0.47	16,900	0.47	17,190	0.47	16,893	0.46
Slovakia	28,982	0.82	29,964	0.84	29,709	0.82	25,003	0.69	24,044	0.66
Finland	29,911	0.85	30,214	0.85	28,863	0.80	28,532	0.79	27,795	0.76
Sweden	47,521	1.35	47,783	1.34	47,873	1.33	46,803	1.29	46,999	1.29
United Kingdom	219,710	6.25	233,235	6.56	238,996	6.63	244,037	6.74	244,928	6.74
EU (28)	3,514,740	100	3,558,074	100	3,602,262	100	3,622,865	100	3,635,852	100

).

The subject of this paper concerns the scale of implementation of low-emission technologies and techniques in agricultural activity in Poland, which may contribute to the reduction of ammonia emissions from agricultural sources. In Poland, ammonia emission from agricultural sources amounted to 287,914 tonnes in 2017, which accounted for 7.9% of emissions in the European Union (EU-28). Agriculture in Poland, especially animal production, is a significant source of gaseous pollution. Poland is one of the leading poultry producers in Europe [27,28]. Moreover, Poland has one of the highest levels of mineral fertilizer consumption in Europe (and more than half in the structure of their consumption is nitrogen). The large fragmentation of farms in Poland against the background of other countries in the European Union, with a large diversity of conditions and the scale of agricultural management in spatial terms, indicates potentially interesting cognitive conclusions in the studied subject. Polish agriculture is obliged to reduce ammonia (NH₃) emissions, compared to 2005, by 1% annually in 2020–2029 and by 17% annually from 2030 [29].

In the literature on the subject, there is little detailed research on agricultural practices in the studied area. As Insausti et al. [14] emphasize, the current priority is to improve agricultural practices to reduce ammonia emissions. The main purpose of the paper was to analyze and assess the behavior of farmers in Poland in relation to low-emission practices that limit ammonia emissions from animal and plant production. This study contains the application of correspondence analysis to study the behavior of farmers in the field of low-emission agricultural practices, based on the results of the author’s own research (survey research among farmers). The use of data from public statistics and analysis of correspondence on empirical material allowed for an in-depth analysis of farmers’ behavior in the context of ammonia emissions in Polish agriculture. The results of the analyses are of application significance, providing all interested parties (scientists, agricultural advisors, etc.) with broad information on the importance and practical possibilities of actions (implemented and not implemented) limiting the formation of ammonia in the course of agricultural activity. Agriculture, among all sectors of the economy, is the main source of ammonia emission in Poland. Ammonia, transformed in chemical and photochemical processes into atmospheric aerosols, contributes to the formation of aerosols that are part of the fine dust [30,31]. Accordingly, the increase in NH₃ emissions has a negative impact on public health and the environment, including climate change. It is worth noting that among the European Union countries, it is Poland where the issue of air pollution by suspended dust is severely felt and repeatedly emphasized in the literature on the subject [32,33]. Poland should take intensive, urgent measures to achieve the necessary air quality standards in this regard [34].

This study consists of several separate fragments. The next part presents information on the research methodology (scope and type of data, research procedure, and research area), followed by characterization of the size and sources of ammonia emissions in Poland, with particular emphasis on the agricultural sphere. The next part of the work presents the results of a multiple correspondence analysis, a discussion with an indication of a wider context and a summary.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Area of Research

The aim of the paper was devoted to a review of Polish and foreign literature, as well as own experience resulting from the implementation of nationwide surveys. The article uses both secondary and primary data. Ammonia emission volumes and sources were taken from reports prepared by the National Centre for Emissions Balancing and Management (KOBIZE). The time scope of the analyses covered the years 2013–2017. The primary data necessary for analyzing the behavior of farmers in the subject matter were the results of surveys carried out in Poland in November 2017 to March 2018. The general purpose of the survey was to collect empirical material useful for solving the identified research problems within the theme—low-emission agriculture in Poland [35,36]. The research was financed by the National Science Centre in Poland under the awarded grant. 1101 farmers took part in the research using the multi-stage random selection method. The following random drawing scheme was used. The research was carried out in all six macro-regions in Poland (NUTS 1), in which one voivodship was drawn, and then in each voivodship three districts were drawn where survey research was conducted. Therefore, a random selection of elements at subsequent levels was carried out. This method was optimal because the population is characterized by very large geographical dispersion and a significant number of farms (in 2017 there were 1.4 million farms in Poland). The spatial scope of surveys is shown in Figure 1.

The area of the agricultural holdings surveyed was 31,819.75 ha of agricultural lands, while the average area of an agricultural holding surveyed was 28.90 ha of agricultural lands.

2.2. Background Characteristics of Respondents

Table 2. General characteristics of the test sample.

Specification	Population	Share in the Test Sample
	(pcs)	(%)
Age of respondents
18–29 y	128	11.6
30–39 y	250	22.7
40–49 y	328	29.8
50–59 y	281	25.5
>60 y	102	9.3
No data	5212	1.1
Total	1101	100
Gender of respondents
Women	197	17.9
Men	901	81.8
No data	3	0.3
Total	1101	100
Education level of respondents
Primary	44	4.0
Graduate vocational school	389	35.3
Secondary	518	47.0
Higher	142	12.9
No data	8	0.7
Total	1101	100
Number of years worked in agricultural holding
1–5 y	90	8.2
6–10 y	146	13.3
11–15 y	119	10.8
16–20 y	172	15.6
21–25 y	138	12.5
26–30 y	152	13.8
>31 y	282	25.6
No data	2	0.2
Total	1101	100
Selected features of agricultural holdings
Area of agricultural lands [ha]
<5	88	8.0
5–9.99	195	17.7
10–14.99	191	17.3
15–19.99	136	12.4
20–29.99	164	14.9
30–49.99	170	15.4
50–99.99	115	10.4
>100	41	3.7
No data	1	0.1
Total	1101	100
Economic size of agricultural holding (SO)
<10 thousand euro	316	28.7
10.1–13 thousand euro	156	14.2
13.1–20 thousand euro	188	17.1
20.1–50 thousand euro	232	21.1
50.1–100 thousand euro	99	9.0
100.1–200 thousand euro	40	3.6
>200 thousand euro	4	0.4
No data	66	6.0
Total	1101	100

. presents the percent distribution of the interview.

Precise determination of the objectives, geographical, temporal, subject, and object scope of the conducted research, as well as the principles of selection of respondents and the size of the sample justify the conclusion that the applied representative procedural sample has a composition similar to the composition of the population due to any features. Due to the fact that some of the questionnaires did not contain complete answers, reduction methods were applied, and 1034 questionnaires (in the field of plant production) and 520 questionnaires (in the field of livestock production) were allowed for further analysis.

2.3. Research Methods and Tools

The survey questionnaire used in the study described above provided information on farmers’ production behavior in the area of implementation (or lack of implementation) of low-carbon practices that limit ammonia emissions. For this purpose, the respondents were asked questions about these practices in the field of plant and animal production (

Table 3. Questions in the survey regarding low-carbon farming practices in the area of ammonia.

Plant Production	Animal Production
I have a current nitrogen balance	I use nitrogen-fixing preparations in animal nutrition
I use split doses of nitrogen fertilizers (depending on the vegetation period of plants)	I limit ammonia emissions by using in livestock buildings: (a) ultraviolet radiation (b) negative ionization of air (c) mechanical ventilation with recirculation (d) underfloor heating (e) microbiological and mineral-organic additives to animal feces
I use fertilizers with slowed or controlled release of nutrients	I use properly selected feed additives ensuring effective functioning of the digestive tract of animals (plant extracts, organic acids, pre- and probiotics)

).

As mentioned earlier, the questionnaire contained more questions as it was the basis for the implementation of the research project. The questionnaire was divided into 4 thematic blocks (general information about the respondent and their farm—18 questions; crop production—7 questions, animal production—4 questions, ecological activity and awareness—10 questions). The research addressed the issues of renewable energy sources, considerations on the assessment of the ecological awareness of farmers in Poland, etc. This article describes a fragment of research on ammonia emissions from agricultural sources.

The analytical processes used multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) a method of metric multidimensional scaling with a distance of χ² as a measure of dissimilarity. MCA is a nonlinear multivariate analysis method that integrates ideas from multidimensional scaling [38]. The leading element deciding on the choice of the method was the willingness to understand the structure of the multidimensional data set and the discovery of key, co-occurring groups of categories in the area of applied practices and the characteristics of respondents (personal and attributes of their farms). In the literature on the subject, this method has been used many times to analyze the behavior of farmers, adaptation of new solutions in agribusiness in the context of environmental variables [39,40,41,42].

3. Ammonia Emission in Poland—Size, Sources, Structure, and Options for Improving the Situation

Poland, like other European countries, is obliged to submit a report and draw up a balance regarding greenhouse gas emissions and removals. As the data from these reports indicate, in Poland animal production contributes the most to the emission of ammonia, and this compound escapes from livestock buildings during the spreading of manure and storage on manure slabs. The optimal management of liquid manure is also a big problem (

Table 4. The volume of ammonia emissions and the place of origin of these emissions from agricultural sources in Poland in 2013 and 2017 [43].

NFR * Aggregation for Gridding and LPS (GNFR)	NFR * Sectors to Be Reported		2013	2017
			Volume
	NFR * Code	Longname	(kt)
K_AgriLivestock	3B1a	Manure management—Dairy cattle	33.58	34.44
K_AgriLivestock	3B1b	Manure management—Non-dairy cattle	19.01	21.69
K_AgriLivestock	3B2	Manure management—Sheep	0.21	0.27
K_AgriLivestock	3B3	Manure management—Swine	29.96	29.77
K_AgriLivestock	3B4a	Manure management—Buffalo	NO	NO
K_AgriLivestock	3B4d	Manure management—Goats	0.07	0.04
K_AgriLivestock	3B4e	Manure management—Horses	0.74	0.67
K_AgriLivestock	3B4f	Manure management—Mules and asses	NO	NO
K_AgriLivestock	3B4gi	Manure management—Laying hens	6.54	6.56
K_AgriLivestock	3B4gii	Manure management—Broilers	3.91	6.76
K_AgriLivestock	3B4giii	Manure management—Turkeys	IE	IE
K_AgriLivestock	3B4giv	Manure management—Other poultry	6.80	7.87
K_AgriLivestock	3B4h	Manure management—Other animals (please specify in IIR)	0.01	0.02
L_AgriOther	3Da1	Inorganic N-fertilizers (includes also urea application)	63.42	61.89
L_AgriOther	3Da2a	Animal manure applied to soils	103.24	111.15
L_AgriOther	3Da2b	Sewage sludge applied to soils	0.57	0.52
L_AgriOther	3Da2c	Other organic fertilizers applied to soils (including compost)	NE	NE
L_AgriOther	3Da3	Urine and dung deposited by grazing animals	6.19	6.26
L_AgriOther	3Da4	Crop residues applied to soils	NE	NE
L_AgriOther	3Db	Indirect emissions from managed soils	NE	NE
L_AgriOther	3Dc	Farm-level agricultural operations including storage. handling and transport of agricultural products	NA	NA
L_AgriOther	3Dd	Off-farm storage. handling and transport of bulk agricultural products	NA	NA
L_AgriOther	3De	Cultivated crops	NA	NA
L_AgriOther	3Df	Use of pesticides	NA	NA
L_AgriOther	3F	Field burning of agricultural residues	0.02	0.02
L_AgriOther	3I	Agriculture other (please specify in the IIR)	NO	NO
Other Agricultural sector NH3 emission			274.27	287.91
National total NH3 emission			294.43	307.52
Other Agricultural sector/National total emission			93.15%	93.62%

* Nomenclature for reporting.

).

In Poland, agriculture is the main source of ammonia emissions, and its volume increased in 2013–2017. The main source of emissions is animal production and (to a lesser extent) the use of fertilizers. Specific losses result from the used animal production system, improper storage of feces or errors made during fertilization of fields with organic fertilizer. Moreover, the use of mineral fertilizers (nitrogen losses due to improper fertilization, e.g., pre-sowing and without soil coverage) may contribute to these emissions. Detailed analyses show significant spatial diversity of ammonia emissions from animal production in Poland. This is related to the varied volume of animal production (areas of intensive cattle, pigs, and poultry farming) and productivity.

In the area of agricultural production, including emission sites, three main groups of ammonia reduction can be distinguished—breeding (genetic), nutritional, and technological (environmental). Thanks to the progress in breeding, more and more knowledge about the characteristics of plants and animals can be obtained. This knowledge is also useful in the context of climate change challenges. Research in this area is constantly being carried out, including the field of biotechnology. The volume of ammonia emissions from livestock buildings depend on the animal husbandry system and the type of inventory. As numerous studies indicate, a very wide spectrum of reduction activities can be found in animal nutrition [44,45]. The composition of the food dose strongly influences the amount of ammonia emissions [46]. Feed additives, including those containing amino acids, reduce emissions. According to the research of Radcliffe et al. [47], if the amount of CP (crude protein) in the diet is reduced by using synthetic AA (amino acids), pigs will release much less nitrogen. From a technological point of view, modern means of production (e.g., feed additives in the form of probiotics, enzymes, acidifiers, and tannins; adding chemical and biotechnological preparations to litter and liquid manure) are important, as well as appropriate pro-ecological agri-environmental practices (optimal, in accordance with good practices, use of mineral and organic fertilizers, proper storage of fertilizers, etc.). Traditional, anaerobic manure storage is an inefficient method of managing these materials, often leading to a negative impact on the environment as a result of gaseous emissions. A very important technical aspect limiting the ammonia emission is also adequate ventilation of buildings and rooms where animals are kept [48,49]. The most important challenge is to introduce production methods and techniques that will help reduce the ammonia emission. The results of research in this field in Polish agriculture (nutritional and environmental elements) have been presented below.

4. Results and Discussion

The answers to the research questions were helpful in achieving the aim of the paper (Table 1). The results for the tested sample are presented below, broken down into farmers engaged in plant production (n = 1034) and livestock production (n = 520). Figure 2 and Figure 3 present the results of analyses regarding the actions taken by the respondents to reduce ammonia emissions during agricultural production.

As the analyses show, in the field of plant production, the most frequently undertaken action was the division of doses of nitrogen fertilizers (772 farms, i.e., 74.7% of the total number of respondents). Much less popular activities are the use of fertilizers with slow or controlled release of nutrients and the analyses of the nitrogen balance within the farm. On the other hand, in the field of livestock production, the most popular measure aimed at limiting ammonia emissions was the use of feed additives (231 farms out of a total of 520, i.e., 44% of the surveyed livestock farmers).

Correspondence analysis was used for in-depth analysis of the input data. One of the most popular responses of the respondents from each category (i.e., in the field of plant and animal production) were selected for detailed analysis.

The first of the carried out analyses consisted in determining the coexistence between the declarations of agricultural producers related to the division of nitrogen fertilizer doses during the growing season with the variables characterizing the surveyed farmers and the attributes of their farms. Correspondence analyses of variables were performed on the basis of Burt’s matrix. The values of the χ² statistics and the φ² mean square multi-division for the data included in the above matrices are presented in

Table 5. Statistics values χ², critical values χ²_{α = 0.01} * (in parentheses) and mean square contingency φ² for the following features: split doses of nitrogen fertilizers, arable land area, economics size of agriculture holding, and district.

χ2	Arable Land Area	Economic Size of Agricultural Holding	District	Age	Education Level
φ2	c ** = 5	c ** = 6	c ** = 6	c ** = 5	c ** = 4
Split doses r ** = 3	69.94997 (20.0902) 0.06765	119.64513 (23.2093) 0.11571	71.06556 (23.2093) 0.06873	7.46578 (20.0902) 0.00722	32.03019 (16.8119) 0.030977

* critical values χ²_{α = 0.01} read from the tables for (r−1) × (c−1) degrees of freedom. ** number of rows and columns of the variables analyzed. Source: own study based on questionnaire surveys (n = 1034).

.

The verification of empirical values of χ² leads to the conclusion that the hypothesis of the independence of features should be rejected for four pairs of features: dose division–arable land area; dose division–economic size of the farm, dose division–district, dose division–level of education. Definitely the highest relationship (φ²) was found between the variables for the pair of traits: dose division–economic size of a farm. A graphic presentation of the correspondence analysis results is shown in Figure 4.

The conducted analyses show that positive declarations about the division of fertilizer doses (E1) coexisted with categories S3 and W3. On the other hand, the lack of division of fertilizer doses or the lack of knowledge on this subject (E2 and E3) coexisted with categories S1 and U1. Thus, it can be concluded that the use of variable doses of nitrogen fertilizers, corresponding to the current requirements of arable crops, is popular on larger farms, where the owners have higher education than professional.

Another analysis was carried out in the field of animal production activities. In order to check whether there are dependencies between the analyzed features (the use of feed additives and the features of farmers and farms), the test of independence of nominal features was used based on the χ² statistics (at the significance level α = 0.01). On the basis of the value of the χ² statistics, the strength of the dependence of the variables was also determined, using the φ² mean square multi-division index (

Table 6. Statistics values χ², critical values χ²_{α = 0.01} * (in parentheses) and mean square contingency φ² for the following features: use feed additives, arable land area, economics size of agriculture holding, and district.

χ2	Arable Land Area	Economic Size of Agricultural Holding	District	Age	Education Level
φ2	c ** = 5	c ** = 6	c ** = 6	c ** = 5	c ** = 4
Use feed additives r ** = 3	21.14259 (20.0902) 0.040659	37.75926 (23.2093) 0.072614	37.55571 (23.2093) 0.072223	8.41090 (20.0902) 0.016175	17.282774 (16.8119) 0.033236

* Critical values χ²_{α = 0.01} read from the tables for (r−1) × (c−1) degrees of freedom. ** number of rows and columns of the variables analyzed. Source: own study based on questionnaire surveys (n = 520).

).

The critical values χ² read from the distribution tables, with the significance level α = 0.01, for four pairs of features are smaller than the calculated χ² statistics. This means that the hypothesis about the independence of the examined features should be rejected for pairs of variables: use of feed additives–size of the farm area; use of feed additives—economic size of the farm; use of feed additives–district; use of feed additives–education. The value of the φ² mean square multi-division, determining the strength of these relationships, indicates that the use of feed additives is most strongly determined by the economic size of a farm and the location of the farm (district). It should also be stated that the use of such additives does not depend on the age of the agricultural producer (similarly to the previous analysis, Table 5). Figure 5 shows a graphical presentation of the correspondence analysis results for these variables.

The results of the presentation of the correspondence analysis on the basis of Burt’s matrix showed that there is a coexistence among the studied variables. Agricultural producers who declared the use of appropriate feed additives (E1) were characterized by higher education (W4) and a relatively high economic size of farms (S4 and S5). They were relatively young people (O2, O3). In turn, people not using such supplements (E2) are mainly people with vocational education (W2), rearing on a relatively small scale (U2, S2).

The issue of ammonia emissions from agricultural activities is one of the main challenges in Poland in the area of environmental protection. Ammonia is characterized by a high acidifying and eutrophicizing potential, hence the monitoring of ammonia emissions plays an important role in the international environmental policy. Poland has been committed to reducing ammonia emissions by 1% each year from 2020 to 2029. Compared to 2005, the overall scope for reducing emissions should be 17%. This requires urgent changes in agricultural practices, the implementation of low-carbon fertilizer application and storage techniques, and animal housing and feeding systems.

Therefore, the methods and tools for reducing ammonia emissions have recently acquired particular importance. The studies by Jarosz and Faber [50] recommended the possibilities of reducing ammonia emissions. According to the authors, in the perspective of 2030, quick incorporation of natural fertilizers may have the greatest impact on reducing the total ammonia emissions in Poland. The action consisting in replacing urea with ammonium nitrate is also characterized by a great potential; moreover, spray-free application of slurry (with simultaneous incorporation of manure) is also important. Temperature is a parameter influencing the emission of gases from the slurry. At the same time, manure cooling systems during storage can be used [51,52]. Bieńkowski et al. [53] see the possibilities of reducing ammonia emissions in Poland also in the changes in manure storage and use on farms. An important issue concerns the infrastructure in utility rooms [54]. The implementation of solutions from other countries in the Baltic Sea region, e.g., from Denmark, may turn out to be significant in the subject matter in study. In this country, the slurry acidification method has been widely used since 2010 [55]. The use of the slurry acidification system technology enables the reduction of ammonia emissions both in livestock buildings and in tanks or directly in the field [56]. The literature on the subject emphasizes the need to develop methods for the inventory and forecasting of ammonia emissions in Poland [57].

5. Summary

Agricultural activity is not neutral for the natural environment, and in the course of agricultural production, harmful substances polluting soil, water and air are generated and accumulated. Excessive concentration of various types of pollution caused by agricultural activities has a negative impact on the natural environment, inhibits sustainable development, and worsens the quality of life. Maintaining a high level of productivity in Polish agriculture generates a serious burden for the natural environment, including the emission of ammonia. This applies to both the production and use of natural fertilizers (ammonia emission, especially during storage, and application of natural fertilizers), and the used animal husbandry systems. Due to the scale of animal production in Poland, especially poultry and pigs, an important way to reduce ammonia emissions from agriculture is to modify the applied methods of animal production (proper storage of slurry, poultry manure, etc.). In particular, the possibilities of effective management of poultry manure are crucial in the studied subject (use of manure for energy purposes as a substrate for biogas production; possibilities of processing chicken manure into biochar). Based on the analysis of the literature on the subject and the results of own research, it is possible to put forward a thesis that the technical, potential possibilities of reducing ammonia emissions in Polish agriculture are significant.

According to the presented research, low-emission practices aimed at reducing ammonia emissions from agricultural sources are not used on a large scale in Poland. There is relatively little interest of farmers in the use of innovative mineral fertilizers (e.g., urea with a urease inhibitor and nitrification; fertilizers with a controlled release of ingredients). On the other hand, in the field of animal production, the use of modern ventilation and air purification systems is minimal. Similarly, nutritional factors that could modify the described processes in animal production were not often practiced by the surveyed farmers as a means of reducing ammonia emissions. Precise balancing and reduction of protein concentration in the feed is an important direction that requires greater interest in agricultural practice in Poland. The implementation of sustainable agricultural practices requires financial and organizational efforts from farms. It is necessary to implement using large scale low-emission techniques for spreading and storing fertilizers as well as modern systems of keeping and feeding animals. It is necessary to modify and create instruments supporting not only investments in the studied area, but also the development of farmers’ knowledge and skills.

Analyses based on a detailed, representative study on the basis of a multiple correspondence analysis show significant variability between farms. This approach allowed for a more detailed analysis of farmers’ behavior, taking into consideration demographic and social characteristics (age, education, etc.) and attributes of farms (e.g., area size and economic size). In general, it can be concluded that preferences regarding specific factors very often corresponded to the area of agricultural land, the economic size of the farm, the location of the farm and the education of the farmer.

Apart from the analysis of the current state of affairs, the proposals and recommendations for further research and development of research methods, techniques, and tools useful for solving the particular research problem are also important. Environmental protection in agricultural production in Poland, especially in terms of ammonia emissions, should be permanently included in the group of factors determining the selection of methods and technologies used in agricultural production. In Poland, small farms are still dominant (the average size of a farm area in 2017 did not exceed 11 ha of UAA), keeping small herds of animals and using traditional systems of maintenance. Changes in the application technique of organic fertilizers are necessary. In the case of slurry, it is possible to perform fertilization and cultivation at the same time (slurry tanker aggregated with a tine or disc applicator). Moreover, acidification of the animal slurry has proven to be an effective solution to minimize NH₃ emissions. Natural fertilizers can also be an important input for the production of agricultural biogas. In terms of urea fertilization (pre-sowing), it is necessary to immediately mix it with the soil. Urea with a urease inhibitor should be used. Not only technical measures are important, but above all, their skillful application. For intensive rearing of pigs, cattle and poultry, appropriate low carbon techniques to reduce ammonia emissions should be implemented. In the light of increasingly stringent environmental requirements, especially precision farming elements should gain in importance (constant monitoring of air emissions from each livestock building, precise application of fertilizers to the soil, etc.).