Introduction: Under Poland's eco-schemes, fertilization matters above all in practices covering carbon farming and nutrient management, including nutrient plans, liming and methods of applying organic fertilizers. To receive a payment, a farmer must meet the conditions of the specific practice and properly document its implementation. A sound plan aligns fertilization with soil-test results and crop requirements. Below we explain the key rules for Poland's 2026 application campaign.
What are eco-schemes, and how do they relate to fertilization?
Eco-schemes are direct payments for carrying out specific practices that benefit the environment, climate or animal welfare. In Poland's 2026 campaign they include, among others, Carbon Farming and Nutrient Management, Integrated Plant Production, Biological Cultivation and Water Retention on Permanent Grassland. The first is particularly closely linked to fertilization: it covers nutrient plans, liming and rules for applying organic fertilizers.
However, applying a particular fertilizer does not automatically qualify a farmer for payment. The farmer must meet the requirements of the chosen practice, keep the necessary records and follow the rules set by ARiMR, Poland's Agency for Restructuring and Modernisation of Agriculture. Some practices also require soil tests or documents confirming that an operation was carried out.
Are eco-schemes the same as organic farming?
Eco-schemes and organic farming are two separate support systems, although some of their environmental goals overlap. Eco-schemes pay for specified practices undertaken in a given year; organic payments concern production under organic farming rules and a corresponding commitment. In 2026 ARiMR sets out the conditions for organic payments and the options for combining them with selected eco-schemes separately.
Carbon Farming and Nutrient Management
The Carbon Farming and Nutrient Management eco-scheme comprises eight practices, several of which directly concern fertilization. They include preparing and following a nutrient plan, incorporating manure into the soil within 12 hours, and applying liquid organic fertilizers by methods other than broadcasting or splash spreading. The eco-scheme uses a points system, so fertilizer-management methods can directly affect which practices a farm chooses to declare.
What nutrient plan is required?
Under this practice, the nutrient plan should specify N, P, K and Mg rates and liming needs. It is based on a nitrogen balance and a chemical soil test covering phosphorus, potassium and magnesium levels and pH; the test results remain valid for four years. The plan may be drawn up in writing using INTER-NAW or another nutrient-planning tool. The farmer must also keep an operations register or other records containing the required information.
For the 2026 campaign, the plan should generally be prepared within 25 days after the application deadline, or by 30 September for winter crops sown in the year of application. ARiMR permits fertilizer rates lower than those specified in the plan. A nutrient plan should therefore be more than a document needed to claim payment: it should be a tool grounded in the soil's current condition.
How does soil liming fit into eco-schemes?
The liming variant can be carried out on land where tests show pH of 5.5 or below. Payment under this variant may be granted for a given parcel once every four years; the farmer must hold a document confirming purchase of the liming fertilizer and the quantity bought. The conditions of the basic nutrient-plan variant must also be met. From 2026, the liming variant cannot be used on land covered by GAEC 2, the standard protecting peatlands and wetlands.
How do fertilizer application methods affect eco-schemes?
Application method matters for the practice concerning liquid organic fertilizers and digestate products. Points may be awarded when these are applied to arable land or permanent grassland by a method other than splash spreading. Implementation must be confirmed under ARiMR's rules, for example with geotagged photos or an appropriate declaration.
What about farmyard manure?
A separate practice requires incorporating manure into arable soil within 12 hours of application. Its purpose is to manage organic fertilization in a way that reduces nutrient losses and emissions to the atmosphere. In the 2026 campaign the operation also needs confirmation in accordance with ARiMR's rules, so recording the work should be planned together with the application itself.
Integrated Plant Production and fertilization
Integrated Plant Production is a separate eco-scheme based on growing crops according to approved methodologies under the supervision of a certification body. In 2026 the payment covers specified field, vegetable, orchard and berry crops for which suitable methodologies have been approved. Fertilization is part of the overall production system and must meet the requirements for the crop in question. This eco-scheme does not pay for permanent grassland.
Water Retention on Permanent Grassland
Water Retention on Permanent Grassland is a separate eco-scheme and does not require any specific fertilization. In the 2026 campaign one basic condition is flooding or waterlogging on the eligible area, confirmed using data from IUNG-PIB, Poland's Institute of Soil Science and Plant Cultivation. This means at least 80% saturation of the soil profile for a minimum of 12 consecutive days between 1 May and 30 September, subject to the eco-scheme's other rules.
How should a farm prepare its fertilization for eco-schemes?
Start by identifying which practices suit the way the farm operates, then plan individual operations. Especially for the nutrient-plan variant, up-to-date soil tests are the starting point: they establish both nutrient status and liming needs. In practice, the process can be broken down into a few steps:
- Carry out soil tests or check that existing results are still valid.
- Select eco-scheme practices that the farm can implement.
- Prepare a nutrient plan and match rates to crop needs.
- Plan the timing and method of fertilizer application.
- Keep the required operation records and retain purchase documents.
This approach makes it easier to align formal requirements with nutrient management. To match liming fertilizers to your test results, you can also ask a Bluebird adviser for help.
Which fertilizers are allowed in organic farming?
Only products and substances permitted under the applicable rules for organic production may be used on organic farms. The current EU implementing regulation lists permitted fertilizers, soil improvers and nutrients in Annex II; Poland's Ministry of Agriculture also provides a search tool for fertilizers that comply with organic-production requirements. A fertilizer's natural origin alone does not make it suitable for a certified organic farm.
Summary — combine eco-schemes with well-planned fertilization
Eco-schemes can support farms that base fertilization on soil tests, a nutrient plan and properly documented operations. Practices covering nutrient rates, liming, organic fertilizers and application methods are especially relevant. Before selecting a practice, always check ARiMR's current rules for the relevant campaign.
To match a fertilizer solution to your soil and farming system, explore Bluebird Fertilizers: https://bluebirdfertilizers.com/