Abstract

The research was conducted in the villages of Jablanica, district Orašac, Jarsenovo, and Stupnica, a rural area on the territory of the City of Leskovac. The paper aims to determine the mortality rate, to identify significant farmers in rural areas and to maintain sustainable agricultural production as a means of the economic development of the local community and the protection of the environment in which they live. For that purpose, the farmer survey method was used to identify and describe the factors that use the amount of waste generated on farms and its impact on the environment. Appropriate methods were used to separate the waste into organic and inorganic, which was later used as a mineral additive in the fields (organic) or harmlessly removed (inorganic). A random sample of 60 agricultural farms was surveyed in order to determine the impact of waste of different origin on the environment. The results of the research show that the factors that use the amount and types of waste influenced the farmers’ perception. The questionnaire proved to be reliable, as the Cronbach's alpha coefficient is 0.539 (Cronbach's Alpha 0.539). At the same time, the way in which waste is collected, stored, classified, and used is important for its utilization with the necessary economic upgrade per production unit and reduction of harmful work in the environment, and proper use.

Key words: farmers, economic development, waste, environmental protection.