Žemės ūkio ir kaimo plėtros strategija

Abstract

Parliament of the Republic of Lithuanian in year 2000 approved Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development, in which identified aspects of agriculture and rural development for year 2000 - 2006. The baseline of strategy was to establish a good environment of the economy, social rural development, environment protection and ethno culture in order coherently improve quality of life and integrate to European Union (therefore - EU). Furthermore, the goals, tasks, principles and priorities of agriculture and rural development were identified in the strategy. The comprehensive review of economical, social agriculture and rural development is accomplished according the goals, tasks, principals and priorities of approved strategy for 2000 - 2005 in this Master Thesis. The review is prepared according the sources of literature, statistical information, accountability data and research results. The review is focused on two stages. First - integration period to EU in 2000 - 2003 and second period after integration in year 2004 - 2005. The year of 2004 was special for country and its agriculture as Lithuania counted first year of membership in EU. Lithuania joined common market. The wide possibility opened to work in bigger and more active market, to have ability to use EU support instruments. The review of this Master Thesis is set in two chapters, ten sections and thirty two subchapters. The analyses of each chapter are interpreted. All interpretations are summarized with adequate conclusions, suggestions and recommendations in the end of Thesis. The dynamic of results of agriculture and rural development for period of five years and in some cases of six year are presented in this Master Thesis and its Annexes. The preliminary statistical data of year 2005 had to be used in analyzing the implementation of 2005 strategy and eight month period of 2006 is analyzed partial of the lack of data. The new opportunities opened to Lithuania after entering the EU in 2004. Free flow of goods, capital, labor force and new export possibilities changed the conditions of agriculture and rural development essentially. Financial support was improved significantly. Incremented direct and compensational payment, investment support allowed to restructure and modernize farms and enterprises, increase the incomes of farmers, improve the social status of rural inhabitants. The essential support Lithuanian agriculture and food sector obtained by SAPARD, EU direct payment system was introduced in 2004, the level of payment 55 percent of EU level. In 2004 was declared 2551,9 thousands ha of agriculture properties and field crops, proclaimers received 0,5 milliards Litas. In total farmers received 0,6 millions Litas of direct payments for land and cattle. The incomes of farmers increased 2,9 million Litas, or 45 percent after support, agriculture products prices and amount increased. In 2004 the income of one inhabitant employed in agriculture was 12 thousand Litas (2003 - 8 thousand Litas). Incomes increased even 26 percent in 2005 comparing to 2004 and income of one inhabitant employed in agriculture was 15 thousand Litas.