Suchergebnisse

Object of the research: absorption of the EU funds in agricultural holdings. Aim of the research: to analyse the means of the EU support for agricultural holding modernization and shortcomings of the methodology during submission of proposal evaluation of farm activities applied for the means by National Paying Agency and received funds absorption, to discuss theoretical indicators for economic lifecycle and investment project evaluation and come up with suggestions for improvement of this evaluation methodology. Objectives of the research: • To perform detailed analysis of agriculture holding modernization means and to present evaluation of analysis of effectiveness of fund absorption applied by National Paying Agency. • To provide theoretical benchmarking of economical lifecycle measures and evaluation methods of investment projects and to develop methodology for evaluation of fund absorption effectiveness on agricultural holdings; • To test empirically possibilities and shortcomings of the methodology application of by 8 farms. Research methods: during the research the overview of scientific literature and legislation, statistical data analysis and systematic methods were applied. While analysing performance of agricultural holdings, quantitative and qualitative analysis and comparison of results were carried on. Research results: • Part One deals with detailed analysis of agricultural holding modernization means and evaluation of effectiveness analysis of fund absorption applied by National Paying Agency; • Part Two presents theoretical benchmarking for economical lifecycle measures and evaluation methods of investment projects as well as developed methodology for evaluation of fund absorption effectiveness in agricultural holdings; • Part Three focuses of empirical testing of outcomes and shortcomings of the methodology application by examples of young farmers' farm in Kaunas county.

The relevance of the research. Scientists are searching for answers to the question how the Government can affect the competitiveness of farms; What is the effectiveness of the different government intervention measures; how the availability and quality of the resources (financial, human, capital) relates to the competitiveness; How to measure competitiveness; What is the influence of the human factor to competitiveness; What determines the behaviour of the economic unit; how training can affect behaviour and competitiveness; the question is whether it is possible to cause changes in behaviour and competitiveness with training.

The relevance of the research. Scientists are searching for answers to the question how the Government can affect the competitiveness of farms; What is the effectiveness of the different government intervention measures; how the availability and quality of the resources (financial, human, capital) relates to the competitiveness; How to measure competitiveness; What is the influence of the human factor to competitiveness; What determines the behaviour of the economic unit; how training can affect behaviour and competitiveness; the question is whether it is possible to cause changes in behaviour and competitiveness with training.

The dissertation investigates issues related with the assessment of impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector in absence of theoretical foundation for addressing the practical problem of matching between private economic and public policy interests. The aim of the research is to create and approve the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector. The area of application of the prepared methodology and the developed model is simulations of agricultural policy. The prepared model may also be used as a practical and methodical tool. The dissertation addresses the following key objectives: having analysed the scientific literature, to pursue the most appropriate methods for the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental measures, to create the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental, based on neoclassical theories of microeconomics and economy of ecosystems mathematical programming model, and validate it empirically under the conditions of Lithuania, to carry out sensitivity analysis by using different scenarios, to prepare recommendations for the improvement of agri-environmental measures aimed at contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Lithuania. The dissertation consists of the introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, references and the list of scientific publications on the topic of the dissertation. The introduction presents the problem, relevance of the topic, describes the object, formulates the aim and objectives of the re-search, describes the research methodology, highlights the scientific novelty, practical value, significance of the results and statements to be defended. Scientific publications of the author and presentations at conferences on the topic of the dissertation, and the structure of the thesis are presented at the end of the introduction. The first chapter reveals the matter of agri-environmental measures, theoretical assumptions of their introduction, historical and political developments in the European Union and Lithuania, discussing the impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector, and impact assessment methods. The second chapter offers the methodology of impact assessment of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector, highlights problems, evaluates the effectiveness of compensatory payments and the benefit for the public interest. Describes the developed mathematical programming model, presents its structure, modeling assumptions, verification and modeled scenarios. The third chapter presents the analysis and evaluation of the modeled scenarios. The author has published one scientific study and three scientific articles on the topic of the dissertation, made three presentations at scientific conferences in Lithuania and one presentation abroad.

The dissertation investigates issues related with the assessment of impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector in absence of theoretical foundation for addressing the practical problem of matching between private economic and public policy interests. The aim of the research is to create and approve the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector. The area of application of the prepared methodology and the developed model is simulations of agricultural policy. The prepared model may also be used as a practical and methodical tool. The dissertation addresses the following key objectives: having analysed the scientific literature, to pursue the most appropriate methods for the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental measures, to create the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental, based on neoclassical theories of microeconomics and economy of ecosystems mathematical programming model, and validate it empirically under the conditions of Lithuania, to carry out sensitivity analysis by using different scenarios, to prepare recommendations for the improvement of agri-environmental measures aimed at contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Lithuania. The dissertation consists of the introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, references and the list of scientific publications on the topic of the dissertation. The introduction presents the problem, relevance of the topic, describes the object, formulates the aim and objectives of the re-search, describes the research methodology, highlights the scientific novelty, practical value, significance of the results and statements to be defended. Scientific publications of the author and presentations at conferences on the topic of the dissertation, and the structure of the thesis are presented at the end of the introduction. The first chapter reveals the matter of agri-environmental measures, theoretical assumptions of their introduction, historical and political developments in the European Union and Lithuania, discussing the impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector, and impact assessment methods. The second chapter offers the methodology of impact assessment of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector, highlights problems, evaluates the effectiveness of compensatory payments and the benefit for the public interest. Describes the developed mathematical programming model, presents its structure, modeling assumptions, verification and modeled scenarios. The third chapter presents the analysis and evaluation of the modeled scenarios. The author has published one scientific study and three scientific articles on the topic of the dissertation, made three presentations at scientific conferences in Lithuania and one presentation abroad.

The dissertation investigates issues related with the assessment of impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector in absence of theoretical foundation for addressing the practical problem of matching between private economic and public policy interests. The aim of the research is to create and approve the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector. The area of application of the prepared methodology and the developed model is simulations of agricultural policy. The prepared model may also be used as a practical and methodical tool. The dissertation addresses the following key objectives: having analysed the scientific literature, to pursue the most appropriate methods for the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental measures, to create the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental, based on neoclassical theories of microeconomics and economy of ecosystems mathematical programming model, and validate it empirically under the conditions of Lithuania, to carry out sensitivity analysis by using different scenarios, to prepare recommendations for the improvement of agri-environmental measures aimed at contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Lithuania. The dissertation consists of the introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, references and the list of scientific publications on the topic of the dissertation. The introduction presents the problem, relevance of the topic, describes the object, formulates the aim and objectives of the re-search, describes the research methodology, highlights the scientific novelty, practical value, significance of the results and statements to be defended. Scientific publications of the author and presentations at conferences on the topic of the dissertation, and the structure of the thesis are presented at the end of the introduction. The first chapter reveals the matter of agri-environmental measures, theoretical assumptions of their introduction, historical and political developments in the European Union and Lithuania, discussing the impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector, and impact assessment methods. The second chapter offers the methodology of impact assessment of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector, highlights problems, evaluates the effectiveness of compensatory payments and the benefit for the public interest. Describes the developed mathematical programming model, presents its structure, modeling assumptions, verification and modeled scenarios. The third chapter presents the analysis and evaluation of the modeled scenarios. The author has published one scientific study and three scientific articles on the topic of the dissertation, made three presentations at scientific conferences in Lithuania and one presentation abroad.

The dissertation investigates issues related with the assessment of impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector in absence of theoretical foundation for addressing the practical problem of matching between private economic and public policy interests. The aim of the research is to create and approve the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector. The area of application of the prepared methodology and the developed model is simulations of agricultural policy. The prepared model may also be used as a practical and methodical tool. The dissertation addresses the following key objectives: having analysed the scientific literature, to pursue the most appropriate methods for the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental measures, to create the methodology for assessing the impact of agri-environmental, based on neoclassical theories of microeconomics and economy of ecosystems mathematical programming model, and validate it empirically under the conditions of Lithuania, to carry out sensitivity analysis by using different scenarios, to prepare recommendations for the improvement of agri-environmental measures aimed at contributing to the sustainable development of the agricultural sector in Lithuania. The dissertation consists of the introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, references and the list of scientific publications on the topic of the dissertation. The introduction presents the problem, relevance of the topic, describes the object, formulates the aim and objectives of the re-search, describes the research methodology, highlights the scientific novelty, practical value, significance of the results and statements to be defended. Scientific publications of the author and presentations at conferences on the topic of the dissertation, and the structure of the thesis are presented at the end of the introduction. The first chapter reveals the matter of agri-environmental measures, theoretical assumptions of their introduction, historical and political developments in the European Union and Lithuania, discussing the impact of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector, and impact assessment methods. The second chapter offers the methodology of impact assessment of agri-environmental measures on agricultural sector, highlights problems, evaluates the effectiveness of compensatory payments and the benefit for the public interest. Describes the developed mathematical programming model, presents its structure, modeling assumptions, verification and modeled scenarios. The third chapter presents the analysis and evaluation of the modeled scenarios. The author has published one scientific study and three scientific articles on the topic of the dissertation, made three presentations at scientific conferences in Lithuania and one presentation abroad.

The object of the paper is the impact of direct payments on the income of agricultural producers. The subject matter of the paper is the impact of direct payments on the income of big and small agricultural producers farming in less favourable to agriculture areas and favourable to agriculture areas. The aim of the paper is to investigate and assess the impact of direct payments on the income of agricultural producers from the systemic point of view. Objectives: 1. analyse the concept of income from agriculture and factors influencing the such income; 2. analyse the legitimacy of governmental regulation and the necessity of direct support; 3. establish the impact of direct support on the income of big and small agricultural producers; 4. establish the impact of direct support on the income of agricultural producers farming in the areas less favourable to agriculture and favourable to agriculture; 5. analyse the efficiency of dissociation of direct payments from production; 6. generalize data analysed in the present paper, to perform a research and to give conclusions as well as suggestions. The methods of the study: analyse, analytical, collection and analysis of statistical data, grouping, graphic modelling, questionnaire survey, logical and generalisation methods. Having analysed the scientific data, the data of respondents' farms and statistical data, the impact of direct support on the income of big and small agricultural producers farming in less favourable to agriculture areas and favourable to agriculture areas was established.

The object of the paper is the impact of direct payments on the income of agricultural producers. The subject matter of the paper is the impact of direct payments on the income of big and small agricultural producers farming in less favourable to agriculture areas and favourable to agriculture areas. The aim of the paper is to investigate and assess the impact of direct payments on the income of agricultural producers from the systemic point of view. Objectives: 1. analyse the concept of income from agriculture and factors influencing the such income; 2. analyse the legitimacy of governmental regulation and the necessity of direct support; 3. establish the impact of direct support on the income of big and small agricultural producers; 4. establish the impact of direct support on the income of agricultural producers farming in the areas less favourable to agriculture and favourable to agriculture; 5. analyse the efficiency of dissociation of direct payments from production; 6. generalize data analysed in the present paper, to perform a research and to give conclusions as well as suggestions. The methods of the study: analyse, analytical, collection and analysis of statistical data, grouping, graphic modelling, questionnaire survey, logical and generalisation methods. Having analysed the scientific data, the data of respondents' farms and statistical data, the impact of direct support on the income of big and small agricultural producers farming in less favourable to agriculture areas and favourable to agriculture areas was established.

The economic and social changes, which have occurred over the last decade in Lithuania and in the whole European Union, have been analyzed in the thesis. A detailed analysis of relevant documents and statistical data has been performed, as well as information about economic activity and changes of population structure of Telsiai district was collected during our empirical research. Attention has been paid to the most relevant social services and local communities' efforts to increase the growth of economic activities in the countryside., The thesis also analyses, what economic and social information has been collected in the smallest local administrative units (circuits) and how it can be used to promote entrepreneurship and make countryside areas more attractive for the population and potential investors. Data, collecting during the questioning of circuit employees and different social groups of local residents, was summarized and presented in the thesis. It allows us to highlight the main problems affecting the current situation of the countryside areas in Telsiai district. Contemporary possibilities of local communities for stimulation of youth entrepreneurship have been stressed. The thesis takes into account the European Union administrative territorial division criteria, which says that "urban" is an area with six thousand or more inhabitants, residing compactly, and majority of them are employed in non-agrarian sectors, but in industry, construction and transportation, businesses, marketing, healthcare, etc. There are two cities – Telsiai and Varniai – in Telsiai district. All other areas – small towns, townships and villages are classified as rural, i. e. countryside. In according of new typology of economic mission of areas with the different level of urbanization the countryside should not be wholly designed and dependent only on agrarian activity. These areas have also to be used for development of the modern industry and services. Keywords: agriculture, rural municipality, farming, local communities, migration, population structure, diversification of economic activities, countryside.

The economic and social changes, which have occurred over the last decade in Lithuania and in the whole European Union, have been analyzed in the thesis. A detailed analysis of relevant documents and statistical data has been performed, as well as information about economic activity and changes of population structure of Telsiai district was collected during our empirical research. Attention has been paid to the most relevant social services and local communities' efforts to increase the growth of economic activities in the countryside., The thesis also analyses, what economic and social information has been collected in the smallest local administrative units (circuits) and how it can be used to promote entrepreneurship and make countryside areas more attractive for the population and potential investors. Data, collecting during the questioning of circuit employees and different social groups of local residents, was summarized and presented in the thesis. It allows us to highlight the main problems affecting the current situation of the countryside areas in Telsiai district. Contemporary possibilities of local communities for stimulation of youth entrepreneurship have been stressed. The thesis takes into account the European Union administrative territorial division criteria, which says that "urban" is an area with six thousand or more inhabitants, residing compactly, and majority of them are employed in non-agrarian sectors, but in industry, construction and transportation, businesses, marketing, healthcare, etc. There are two cities – Telsiai and Varniai – in Telsiai district. All other areas – small towns, townships and villages are classified as rural, i. e. countryside. In according of new typology of economic mission of areas with the different level of urbanization the countryside should not be wholly designed and dependent only on agrarian activity. These areas have also to be used for development of the modern industry and services. Keywords: agriculture, rural municipality, farming, local communities, migration, population structure, diversification of economic activities, countryside.

Climate change challenges are relevant and universally accepted. Climate change requires not only accommodation of people and nature, but also it requires the adaptation of policy. During the development of CAP reforms this policy became more oriented towards needs of consumer and environment than addressing promotion of food production. The question is what kind of impact makes climate change to the development of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU and what role climate change plays not only the current period of the CAP, but in the nearest future of this policy as well. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the role of climate change in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. The scientific literature of foreign and Lithuanian authors helped to indicate and set the tasks for this work and to support the validity of the chosen subject. Lithuania and the EU legislation and analysis of other documents allowed to identify the instruments for the fight against risks of climate change and evaluate the conditions for rise of these instruments in the CAP, as well as assessing the risks of climate change in the legal framework. This literature review and expert opinion of Lithuania has confirmed the hypothesis that climate change plays an increasingly important role in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. The CAP may be applied to a certain extent in the fight against climate change and adapting to it, but the implementation of the measures related to this challenge has to be directly coordinated with other EU policy areas.

Climate change challenges are relevant and universally accepted. Climate change requires not only accommodation of people and nature, but also it requires the adaptation of policy. During the development of CAP reforms this policy became more oriented towards needs of consumer and environment than addressing promotion of food production. The question is what kind of impact makes climate change to the development of the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU and what role climate change plays not only the current period of the CAP, but in the nearest future of this policy as well. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the role of climate change in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. The scientific literature of foreign and Lithuanian authors helped to indicate and set the tasks for this work and to support the validity of the chosen subject. Lithuania and the EU legislation and analysis of other documents allowed to identify the instruments for the fight against risks of climate change and evaluate the conditions for rise of these instruments in the CAP, as well as assessing the risks of climate change in the legal framework. This literature review and expert opinion of Lithuania has confirmed the hypothesis that climate change plays an increasingly important role in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU. The CAP may be applied to a certain extent in the fight against climate change and adapting to it, but the implementation of the measures related to this challenge has to be directly coordinated with other EU policy areas.

Lithuanian Agriculture makes a relatively large share of GDP and it is likely that it is not going to decrease in future. Due to its multifunctional nature agriculture is considered one of the most important industries in Lithuanian economy. This industry is closely linked to other sectors of the economy such as: domestic and foreign trade, processing and material resources to the manufacture industry, transportation, energy, and other sectors. Agriculture and related sectors add to the country's GDP growth, employment, and social improvement. The Common Agricultural Policy of the Republic of Lithuania and the Structural Funds of European Union benefit to agricultural development and support the agricultural sector development to keep it viable and competitive. In year 2000 Lithuanian Parliament approved the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy up to year 2006, which aimed to create a favorable environment for the broad-based rural economic and social development, to improve the quality of life to rural people, and successfully integrate the agriculture into the European Union. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the agricultural and rural development strategy for the implementation of policies. The new strategy is the continuation of the strategy above, covering a longer period - up to year 2015. The strategy consists of the agricultural policy, land management, the key actions and measures for strategic objectives. The planning of rural development in Vilkaviskis area includes such activities as the general planning of municipal territory, and preparing land use documents. Land-use schemes and rural development projects have to be prepared in this municipal district. The planning documentation provides for the district zoning according to the principle of cost-effective use of land.

Lithuanian Agriculture makes a relatively large share of GDP and it is likely that it is not going to decrease in future. Due to its multifunctional nature agriculture is considered one of the most important industries in Lithuanian economy. This industry is closely linked to other sectors of the economy such as: domestic and foreign trade, processing and material resources to the manufacture industry, transportation, energy, and other sectors. Agriculture and related sectors add to the country's GDP growth, employment, and social improvement. The Common Agricultural Policy of the Republic of Lithuania and the Structural Funds of European Union benefit to agricultural development and support the agricultural sector development to keep it viable and competitive. In year 2000 Lithuanian Parliament approved the Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy up to year 2006, which aimed to create a favorable environment for the broad-based rural economic and social development, to improve the quality of life to rural people, and successfully integrate the agriculture into the European Union. The Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the agricultural and rural development strategy for the implementation of policies. The new strategy is the continuation of the strategy above, covering a longer period - up to year 2015. The strategy consists of the agricultural policy, land management, the key actions and measures for strategic objectives. The planning of rural development in Vilkaviskis area includes such activities as the general planning of municipal territory, and preparing land use documents. Land-use schemes and rural development projects have to be prepared in this municipal district. The planning documentation provides for the district zoning according to the principle of cost-effective use of land.