Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 5
Lithuanian Organic Agriculture in the Context of
European Union
Vytautas Pilipavičius and Alvydas Grigaliūnas
Additional information is available at the end of the chapter
http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/58352
1. Introduction
Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and
people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local condi‐
tions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines
tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair
relationships and a good quality of life for all involved (As approved by the IFOAM General
Assembly in Vignola, Italy in June 2008) [1]. The growing criticism of intensive agricultur‐
al practices that leads to a deterioration of natural resources and a decrease of biodiversi‐
ty has progressively led to more environmental constraints being put on agricultural
activities through an “ecologization” of agricultural policies [2]. Organic agriculture
nowadays is well accepted in governmental and scientific institutions, and organic products
are highly appreciated by consumers [3]. Organic agriculture can contribute to solving the
food crisis and mitigating global climate change as long as it is based on the principles of
agroecology. However, organic agriculture must also be integrated with certain convention‐
al agricultural practices in order to maintain rational production and satisfy the food
requirements of the population [4].
Organic agriculture is the form of farming that sees nature as a living organism. Determination
of further health and productivity of this organism differs from that in conventional agricul‐
ture. It is a versatile system that supplements and conditions the environment friendly
measures enabling regulation of ecological system. At the same time application of chemical
synthetically measures can be abandoned. Ecological system must be maintained, preserved
and rebuilt as completely as possible as we are absolutely dependent on its functioning. This
trend of farming requires general systematic way of thinking - the course of the entire process
should be considered when applying each measure [5]. The goal of organic farming is to give
