Analysis of the change in Lithuanian organic farming

Abstract

The article contains information about the change in the country's landed property and areas occupied by farmers as well as the analysis of the change in organic farms and their areas in the Republic of Lithuania within the period from 2010 to 2014. The maximum and minimum areas of organic farming in municipalities as well as their change were determined for the detailed analysis. Comparative, analytical as well as statistical and logical analysis methods were used for the investigation. The aim of the investigation – to analyse the number of organic farms and the change in their occupied areas and to identify the reasons. The object of the investigation – Lithuanian organic farms. The analysis showed that in Lithuania within the period from 2010 to 2014 the number of organic farms decreased by 171, or by 6.53 percent. The largest number of organic farms was determined in Biržai, Ukmergė and Raseiniai district municipalities, the lowest – in Druskininkai, Rietavas and Kalvarija municipalities. Within the period from 2010 to 2014, the area of organic farming in Lithuania increased by 20481.65 hectares or by 12,45 percent. Out of 50 municipalities of the Republic of Lithuania, the areas of organic farming increased in 46 municipalities of the country, while the decrease in the areas of organic farming was observed in the six municipalities: Kėdainiai distr. (20.84 percent), Pakruojis distr. (16.45 percent), Pasvalys distr. municipality (40.16 percent), Šakiai (25.94 percent), Šiauliai (17.62 percent), Vilkaviškis (44.35 percent).