Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
priority to long-term ecological health, such as biodiversity and soil quality, rather than short-
term productivity gains [6, 7]. In low potential agricultural areas characterized by soil degra‐
dation and erosion, organic agriculture can provide a means to break the downward spiral of
resource degradation and poverty [8]. Organic farming represents an innovation in agriculture
that is both lauded and deplored. Agricultural innovations are accepted on four broad levels:
research, extension, farmer and community (not necessarily in that order) [7]. The implemen‐
tation of European legislation as well as various national pesticide action plans and public
policies pertaining to organic agriculture, could bring about major changes to agricultural
practices within the coming years [2].
Farming is only considered to be organic at the EU level if it complies with Council Regulation
(EC) No 834/2007 [9] amended in (EU) No 1030/2013 [10], which has set up a comprehensive
framework for the organic production of crops and livestock and for the labelling, processing
and marketing of organic products, while also governing imports of organic products into the
EU. The detailed rules for the implementation of this Regulation are laid down in Commission
Regulation (EC) No 889/2008 [11] amended in commission implementing regulation (EU) No
392/2013 [12].
Many of the environmental problems of great concern today are either directly or indirect‐
ly related to past and present agricultural practices. The only way to preserve the nature
and especially agrocenosis for future generations in the XXI century is organic sustaina‐
ble development.
2. Material and methods
The area of study is Lithuanian organic agriculture in the context of European Union that
Lithuania joined in 2004.
Lithuanian territory situated between 56°27'N and 53°53'N latitude, 20°56'E and 26°50'E
longitude occupies intermediate geographical position between west Europe oceanic climate
and Eurasian continental climate. Climate of the Lithuanian territory forms in different
radiation and circulation conditions. Differences in these conditions hardly cross the bounda‐
ries of microclimatic differences; therefore, Lithuania belongs to western region of the Atlantic
Ocean continental climatic area [13, 14] with average annual precipitation of 675 mm (572-907
mm) and temperature of 6-7 °C.
A review of the scientific literature on organic agriculture and the research on the development
and perspectives of Lithuanian organic agriculture are evaluated. Statistical information is an
important tool for understanding and quantifying the impact of political decisions in a specific
territory or region [15].
In the manuscript statistical data of organic agriculture of Lithuania and European Union are
analysed scientifically and analytically with interpretation of praxis.
