The evolution of the Common Agricultural Policy is marked by distinct graduality. The first stage was subject to food self-sufficiency priority, the second was clearly of a pro-demand character. The third stage, related to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform after 2013, is distinguished by changes in the model of the agricultural sector products consumption, and takes into account usefulnesses connected with the well-being of the natural environment and provision of public goods. The aim of this article is to point out proposals of changes in the EU agricultural policy, especially in the scope of the direct subsidies mechanism, from the point of view of the benefits for rural areas in Poland. The authors indicate that the utmost pro-efficiency and modernization orientation of the 1st and 2nd pillar of CAP within current institutional frameworks is in the interest of the Polish agriculture.