Today, the turbulently changing economic and social influences are having a significant impact on the sustainability and innovation policies of companies. The keys to economic efficiency and effectiveness are flexibility, adaptation to change, innovation, modernisation, and implementation of the potential new practices in business. The aim of the empirical research was to assess how the innovation policy of companies in the field of agricultural SMEs evolves in relation to management contribution and employee activity, and what kind of strategic objectives they formulate for the future. The primary survey was conducted in the form of a questionnaire in 2024. The hypotheses formulated in the light of international and national trends were tested with non-parametric statistical methods. The first hypothesis was tested using Wilcoxon rank test, and the second hypothesis was tested using Spearman rank correlation. The main finding of the research shows that the innovation policy and philosophy of agricultural SMEs’ operations are significantly influenced by the activation and involvement of employees in innovation processes, and management's efforts to increase employees' motivation. The innovation behaviour of companies in the sector is diverse, however, a significant percentage of companies consider themselves to be innovation-driven, even if their innovation activity is currently stagnating and their innovation performance is expected to remain low in the future. It remains important that similar research is produced that supports the promotion of innovation activity with up-to-date information and strategic considerations.