"The development of Slovakia's economy since 1989 has had a decisive influence on changes in the agricultural sector, which has yet to find an appropriate role within the national economy. The overall development of the economy has led to the formation of relationships of a higher quality between agriculture and the sectors dealing with inputs to and outputs from the agriculture industry. Changes in the commodities and the territorial orientation of foreign trade, as well as developments in the domestic foodstuffs market, have pressed the issue of raising the competitiveness of agricultural and food products. The issue is crucial not only in connection with the country's preparations for accession to the European Union, but also because of the impact it may have on the overall development of producers' and processors' revenues should the pre-accession period be longer than forecast. The working and living conditions of people employed in agriculture have been changing, as have general living conditions in rural Slovakia. This article examines the above-mentioned issues, using official statistical data, analyses and scientific literature, as well as so-called “soft data”, i.e. information only available to specialists who are not part of official government structures."

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