Role of Research and Researchers during Transition: Case Study of Lithuania

A review of more than 100 publications and papers by Lithuanian and external experts published from 1990 to 2006 in academic journals, books and monographs, proceedings and reports is the basis for this assessment of the role research has played in the policy evolution from 1990 to present. These studies had impacts on decision making, and there are also many ways in which the experiences of policy makers have informed the agricultural economics profession and improved our knowledge and understanding of the complexities of reform and transition. That is, the transition experience was in many ways a two-way and interactive learning process between researchers and policy makers and between east and west. We conclude that a key element in making research relevant and realistic was a process of frequent interaction among analysts and practitioners within Lithuania and among other transition country and external experts and practitioners.economic transition, EU accession, policy reform, collaboration, policy research, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

Lithuanian Agriculture and the World Market: Policy Options and Implications and Modeling Agricultural Markets for Policy Trade Analysis in Lithuania

The two related papers in this report were prepared for two conferences in Estonia in May 1993. The first paper (Saku) discusses alternative policy directions for Lithuanian agriculture and provides a qualitative assessment of these options. The second paper (Tartu) uses a simulation model for Lithuanian agricultural markets to analyze the impacts of three policy scenarios. The reference or baseline scenario assumes that real prices will increase at a specified rate. This forms the basis for comparison of two other scenarios. One assumes that domestic prices reach world market parity prices by 1995, allowing only for a quality discount of 15 percent for meat products. The other scenario assumes the extreme self-sufficiency case, where all imports and exports are zero and prices are solved for equilibrium levels

Prospects and Challenges in Lithuanian Agricultural Markets After EU Accession

Medium-term prospects for key agricultural markets in Lithuania are analysed under alternative policies. Policy alternatives show the impacts of EU accession and also the impacts of implementing AP reforms in 2007. The model is a partial equilibrium, multi-commodity model where commodity prices are linked to key prices in major EU markets. The accession analysis shows significant impacts on production, prices, and even on relative prices. It indicates impacts on production and trade patterns. The most realistic scenario (SAPS to 2006 and SFP from 2007 to 2010) generates a growth in product value more than 10 percent higher than the non-accession scenario. The largest increase is in the value of milk production. There also is a decline in crops share and increase in milk share of the total market revenue, while cattle and dairy together increase from about 35 percent of output value in 2002 to over 45 percent in 2010.EU accession, CAP reform, policy, Industrial Organization, Q18,

Price and Income Policies for Food and Agricultural Products in the Baltics

The Baltic Republics have undertaken extensive price reforms for food and agricultural products. Higher producer and consumer prices, accompanied by wage increases and income subsidies to offset higher prices, are expected to improve market efficiency. The goal is to move toward private enterprise in the agribusiness sector. The role of pricing in market economies is discussed in the context of other steps that need to be taken in developing a market system for food and agricultural products. Specific attention is given to pricing in harmony with international markets and broader research tasks that can support the policy reform process. Note: This paper is based on conditions and data as of the end of April 1991. Other price changes have occurred since then, and Estonia removed most price controls in July 1991. At the time of publication the three republics had been recognized as independent states, so a major obstacle to implementing reforms has been removed; but the pricing issues remain essentially the same

Food and Agricultural Price and Subsidy Reforms in the Baltics: Progress and Prospects

This paper reviews the price subsidy reforms in each of the Baltic States from 199 to 1992 and provides a comparison of the differing decisions and preliminary results. Although price levels and compensation mechanisms differ, the pattern in all three states is to let negotiations between producers and processors set producer prices and to limit the profit mark-up by processors, wholesalers, and retailers. For consumers, price increases were partially offset by direct income transfers. Although Estonia preceded the others by removing most price controls in July 1991, Lithuania and Latvia did the same in late 1991 and early 1992

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IN THE CHILD DEVELOPMENT PROCESS AT HOME

The article analyses the involvement of parents participating in the child's education process. The semi-structured interview method was chosen to collect the survey data. The content analysis method was used for the analysis of the research data. During the study, the aim was to find out what were the possibilities of parental involvement in the child's education process, and which parents were satisfied with the needs of the children. Parents who live in cities and villages are selected by the participants of the study. Data from a qualitative research analysis suggests that parents are divided into different parties to the opposition, where no one wants to engage in the child's educational process, while others actively contribute to the process of child's education. It has been disclosed that the lack of time planning and other factors make it impossible to contribute or minimally contribute to joint activities with the child

Agricultural Policy and Structural Reforms in the Baltics: Prospects for the Environmental Benefits

The Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are undertaking rapid economic and structural reforms affecting the food and agricultural sectors. The environmental problems related to agriculture now and in the recent past are more in the area of chemical and animal waste runoff than in soil erosion. The radical change in economic incentives and progressing structural change in farming systems have already reduced chemical use and the intensity of livestock production. Some effects of the transition may also have negative environmental effects, as institutions and farming systems are in an unsettled state. The long-term effects of the reforms on the environment policies and the speed with which improved technologies for chemical use and waste management are transferred to farmers and farming partnerships are discussed

Land Policy and Economic Development in Lithuania

Land reform and asset privatization are essential to the transformation of agriculture from a state controlled to privately operated sector and to its future development in a market oriented economy. Although these are necessary conditions for economic development under a market oriented regime, they are not sufficient conditions. In this paper we review the progress achieved in farm restructuring through land reform and asset privatization and the impacts of this restructuring on the structure of farming and production in Lithuania. We then elaborate the main conditions for sustainable agricultural development in a market economy

Privatization and Restructuring of State and Collective Farms: Policy Environment and Strategies

Issues, choices, and strategies in the transformation of collective and state farms in transition economies are explored. Analysis includes how other reforms have an impact on the transition in farming systems and farm structure. Economic forces to direct the changing structure of farming to the maximum extent possible should be allowed. The role of the government is to create an appropriate legal, economic, and institutional environment for the transition process to be carried out successfully