Lectures by Visiting Professor Baiba Rivža

We kindly invite you to participate in the lectures of the visiting lecturer prof. dr. Baiba Rivza. The topic is “New Trends in Bioeconomy and Rural Development”. The lectures will be held online on March 14-25, 2022.

Registration and detailed lecture schedule here.

FARMdb – the first result of the international ERASMUS+ project „Fostering Agriculture Rural Development and Land Management” (FARM)

The Department of Business and Rural Development Management of the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development of Agriculture Academy of Vytautas Magnus University is one of the partners at the international ERASMUS+ project „Fostering Agriculture Rural Development and Land Management” (FARM), which is coordinated by the lead partner Harz University of Applied Sciences. Technical University of Cartagena (UPCT; Spain), University of Cyprus (UCY; Cyprus), Association for Internationalization of Education and Science (INTER-EDU; North Macedonia) are actively involved partners. Currently, the first goal of the project has been implemented – the web-based Dashboard/Map called FARM^db has been developed.

FARM^db (Fostering Agriculture Rural Development and Land Management) is a systematic overview of existing ICT DSS tools in ARD that support crop and livestock, precision farming, climate and quality control and farm management.

The primary function of the FARM^db is designed to provide comprehensive information of DSS tools used for agriculture in the Europe. The FARM^db provides basic information about the decision support systems, developer, and main content of it. The FARM^db is designed for filtering of information based on country or category including soil management, climate change, water management, economic aspects, and others. An important information and data points are effectively presented in a limited space where the user can find the information about the content of the DSS tools, distribution of DSS hotspots and DSS hotspot interactive map in which the data for DSS tools provided together with the link and place where the DSS tool has been developed.

As a tool, the FARM^db is useful for farmers, consultants, and other stakeholders. By using it, they can explore, discover and update the data over time. If information is missing or changing, the FARM^db can be easily modified – the users can actively update the information.

By using the FARM^db, the apps, maps and other items can be shared with the public. Users can access and visualize the data spatially by using the web maps and apps that can be accessed from anywhere at any time. Farmers and other stakeholders can collect, analyse, share the agriculture data with ArcGIS and ease the decision-making process. For example, farmers can check the type and quality of the soil and use this information in their plans for crops cultivation. It helps them to achieve increased, but sustainable production and lead to reduced costs by enabling better management of land resources.

The usability of the FARM^db is it’s reliable and intuitive interface. The FARM^db displays multiple visualizations that can work together on a single screen and allows users like farmers, agricultural consultants, regional planners, policy makers, students etc. visually compare and find relationships between the data across the different natural spaces and administrative territories. It represents a dynamic tool which identifies recent digital decision support systems and helps to develop sustainable and economically sound farm-related future plans dedicated to crop cultivation, fertilization, sophisticated water management strategies etc.

Link to the FARM^db tool here.

Link to the project FARM website here.

Erasmus+ project “Viability of small farms managed by young farmers under new “farm-to-fork” strategy”

The International Consortium succeeded in the 2020 call of the Erasmus + program, key action – Strategic partnerships in higher education. Czech University of Life Science in Prague together with the partners succeeded in a project “Viability of small farms managed by young farmers under new “farm-to-fork” strategy” (Grant agreement: 2020-1-CZ01-KA203-078495) focused on the long-term viability of small farms managed by young farmers in the context of the new EU strategy “From farm-to-fork”, which is part of the ambitious Green Deal for Europe.

The target group of the project is young farmers, students of agricultural and rural development study programs and the professional society in the agricultural and food sector. The project will identify and describe examples of good practice that will inspire, increase motivation undertake farming activities, enable new and experienced farmers to operate, produce higher value-added products, generate higher incomes, reduce administrative burdens, choose a short supply chain strategy and more.

The content of the project includes the characteristics of small farms managed by young farmers, the definition of their functions (economic, industrial, technical, social, cultural and ecological), the assessment of the situation of farms at national and international level, the characteristics of critical risk points and risk reduction strategies. The impact of changes in agricultural policy and legislation on the activities of individual entities will be simulated by a software solution developed by the Project partners.

The international team will prepare an overview and evaluation of the current and new Agricultural and Rural Development policies of the consortium countries for young farmers on small farms. Examples of good practice will be presented in collaboration across the food value chain to contribute to the long-term viability of farms. Electronic tools will be developed to enable effective economic planning and decision-making.

In the project participating university partners from Poland (Poznan University of Life Sciences), Slovakia (Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra), Lithuania (Vytautas Magnus University) and Hungary (University of Szeged) are participating in the project. The connection of the academic with the practice is provided by associations representing young farmers – the Young Agrarians Society of the Czech Republic, the Polish Związek Młodzieży Wiejskiej and the Association of Slovakian Young Farmers (ASYF).

Lithuanian partnership and activities in the project is being developed by Vytautas Magnus University, Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, Department of Business and Rural Development Management, researchers Dr. Vilma Atkočiūnienė, Dr. Jurgita Zaleckienė and Dr. Ilona Kiaušienė.

INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC-PRACTICE CONFERENCE “HUMAN AND NATURE SAFETY 2022”

We are delighted to invite You to the 28^th International Scientific-Practice Conference “HUMAN AND NATURE SAFETY 2022”, which will take place in Kaunas, Lithuania, 4–6 May, 2022. Annual conference “HUMAN AND NATURE SAFETY” is organized on occasion of the International Days of Health, Environmental Protection and Occupational Safety & Health.

The purpose of the Conference is to discuss interrelated human safety & health and environment protection problems, present the results of the newest research and to create opportunities for scientists and young researchers to share the research results not only among researchers and students, but also between farmers, agricultural experts, representatives from forestry and other sectors. Also, to promote safe, healthy, and environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Sections of the Conference:

Biosystem Engineering
Environment and Health
Ecology, sustainable forestry

Important dates and deadlines:

until 25^th February 2022 – registration
until 15^th March 2022 – article submission
until 1^st April 2022 – payment of the participation fee
until 8^th April 2022 – editorial board decision of publication acceptance

Online Registration available on the conference website www.zgs.vdu.lt

Scientific articles will be published in the selected papers of 28th International Scientific-Practice Conference “ŽMOGAUS IR GAMTOS SAUGA 2022”. Edition of the selected papers is indexed by Central & Eastern European Academic Source (EBSCO).

Participation fee:

30 EUR for first and second cycle students
50 EUR for other participants

Contacts:
E-mail: zmogaus.sauga@vdu.lt
Conference website: https://zgs.vdu.lt

The visit of Lithuanian partners to Turkey

The Faculty of Agriculture of Eskişehir Osmangazi University (ESOGU) in Turkey was visited by the researchers from Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) as a part of the cooperation project entitled “Investigating New Partnerships Between Lithuania and Turkey: Building around Bioeconomy and the EU Green Deal” on 22-26 November, 2021. The Lithuanian team consisted of researchers from VMU AA and KTU, as well as agri-business and agricultural advisory representatives.

The project aimed at building the understanding of the context of the EU Green Deal with particular attention to bioeconomy in agriculture and food sectors, searching for possible partnerships between Lithuania and Turkey through project activities. In this context, the visit had a two-fold goal: to participate with presentations in the workshop “Bioeconomy and European Green Deal Workshop” and to learn about the activities of the Faculty of Agriculture of ESOGU and ATAP (Anatolian Technology Research Park (ATAP).

The first working day (23 November) in Eskisehir was dedicated to meeting with the Dean and project team at the Faculty of Agriculture and the academic staff of the Faculty. During this event, all departments of the Faculty of Agriculture were presented with the main focus placed on research, active projects, and possibilities of collaboration.

In the afternoon of 23 November, the Lithuanian team visited the ATAP. Dr. Sedat TELCEKEN, the general manager of the ATAP, shared information about activities of ATAP, established companies, resources, and R&D. The Eskisehir Design and Innovation Center (EDIC) was introduced to all the visitors by Dr. Kastytis Gečas, a Lithuanian and the project team leader who is currently leading the team of consultants in the foundation and service development of the EDIC. The Lithuanian visitors enjoyed all the discussions and information related to the ATAP.

In the morning of 24 November, the workshop “Bioeconomy and European Green Deal Workshop” took place at the modern hall of the Faculty of Agriculture, gathering researchers, representatives of agri-bussiness sector, and policy-makers.

The workshop was opened with welcome speeches by Prof Dr. Yusuf Ersoy Yıldırım, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, ESOGÜ and Pro. Dr. Astrida Miceikienė, Chancellor of Agriculture Academy, VMU AA, Rūta Hanagasi, a representative from the Lithuanian Embassy to Turkey, and Prof Dr. Rıfat Edizkan, Vice Rector of ESOGÜ. Prof. Dr. Handan Giray, the project leader, introduced the project activities, aim, and goals. Her colleague Assoc. Prof. Utku Avcı then made an overview of the Green Deal. The first part of the workshop was ended by presentation by Adil Yüksel Perkin, Ahmet Berkay Bulutcu (DG EU and Foreign Relations, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry), who spoke about what had been done for the Green Deal in Turkey so far.

After the coffee break, Lithuanian team made their scientific contribution in the context of bioeconomy and the Green Deal. Dr. Laura Girdžiūtė, Head of the Innovation Support Service of the Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service (LAAS), and researchers from VMU AA Prof Dr. Astrida Miceikienė and Assoc. Prof Dr. Anastasija Novikova presented good practice of cooperation between the Lithuanian institutions in developing the bioeconomy in Lithuania: the cases of VMU and LAAS. Service Development Manager at UAB Baltic Agro Machinery Assoc. Prof Dr. Antanas Juostas and Prof Dr. Egidijus Šarauskis, VMU AA, presented the scientific and practical experience in artificial intelligence in agriculture. Assoc. Prof Dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė, VMU AA, also a Member of the European Commission Mission Board Soli Health and Food, introduced the audience to the role of the European Mission Soil Health and Food in achieving Green Deal and UN-SDGs. The last presenter from VMU AA, Assoc. Prof Dr. Anželika Dautartė, spoke about increasing climate ambitions focusing on ecosystems and biodiversity. The colleagues from KTU, Dr. Alvija Šalaševičienė and Aelita Zabulionė held discussion on the topic “Food as Preventative Measure? From Nutrient Profiles till Restriction of Nutrition and Health Claims on Food” and highlighted the challenges and lessons learned of designing meat analogues.

25 November was the last working day of the project partners. The steering committee of the project met to sum up all activities during the project and drafted the plans for future collaboration.

The project is funded under the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme

The visit of Turkish partners in Lithuania

Researchers from Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy (VMU AA) are implementing the cooperation project “Investigating New Partnerships Between Lithuania and Turkey Building around Bioeconomy and the EU Green Deal” with researchers from (ESOGU), Turkey.

The project aims to understand the context of the EU Green Deal with particular attention to bioeconomy in agriculture and food sectors, to search possible partnerships between Lithuania and Turkey through project activities. Project activities include identifying future project ideas, investigating possible call and funds, as well as technology transfer and good practice exchange.

The first meeting in person of partners took place at VMU AA from 20 September to 24 of September. Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy hosted the visit of 7 researchers from Faculty of Agriculture of ESOGU and 2 representatives from agricultural business sector in Eskisehir.

On 21st of September, all partners participated in the Plenary Session of 10th International Scientific Conference ‘Rural Development 2021: Challenges for Sustainable Bioeconomy and Climate Change’, Business and Science Forum. The evening programme was finished with the Gala Dinner at Raudondvaris Manor Arts Incubator, where guests enjoyed the beautiful Lithuanian music and interesting discussions.

September 22nd was dedicated to the Meeting of Development Cooperation Project Partners for Lithuania and Turkey and participation in Parallel sessions of the 10th International Scientific Conference ‘Rural Development 2021: Challenges for Sustainable Bioeconomy and Climate Change’. Prof. Handan Giray presented her research in the Social Research for Sustainable Bioeconomy and Climate Change parallel session Presentation title: Evolution of Rural Development in Turkey, and Prof. Yusuf Ersoy Yıldırım presented his research in the Biosystems Engineering and Environment Integrity parallel session. His presentation title was“ Climate Change Effects on Water Resources in Konya Basin in Turkey”.

During the Meeting of Development Cooperation Project Partners for Lithuania and Turkey, the project leader Prof. Handan Giray presented the aim and goals of the project as well as the expected outcomes. The researchers of VMU AA made presentations about different departments of VMU AA. The Chancellor of VMU AA, prof. dr. Astrida Miceikiene gave an opening speech wishing all partners fruitful meeting, discussions and ideas for future collaboration. The general presentation of Vytautas Magnus University Agriculture Academy with the focus on studies and study programmes was made by International coordinator Ekaterina Makrickiene. The head of Communication and Technology Transfer Center Edvinas Samys spoke about the main VMU projects, activities and the best practices in collaboration with business. Short presentations of VMU AA faculties were presented by representatives of all VMU AA faculties. Assoc. prof. dr. Zita Kriaučiūnienė presented the main activities of Agronomy Faculty, prof. dr. Egidijus Šarauskis and assoc. prof. dr. Rytis Skominas spoke about the Faculty of Engineering, the Lithuanian coordinator of the project assoc. prof. Dr. Anastasija Novikova presented the Faculty of Bioeconomy Development , and assoc. prof. dr. Daiva Silekiene made a presentation about Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology. After all presentations, it was identified that both institutions have common research areas, same study programmes, therefore it gave a good start for future collaboration as well.

September 23rd was the last working day for the project partners. On this day, the International Agricultural Exhibition “Ką pasėsi…” was visited. Partners from Turkey found useful contacts for future collaboration during this exhibition. The main themes of the exhibition were agricultural machinery; crop processing and storage equipment; seeds, plant protection products and fertilizers; digital technologies for agriculture; products and equipment for livestock and poultry farming and aquaculture. The exhibition was the last point of the visit. Partners agreed that the visit of Lithuanian team to Turkey will be on 22-26 of November.

The project is funded under the Lithuanian Development Cooperation and Democracy Promotion Programme

English Course at Barcelona, Spain

On 08 – 12 November, 2021 assoc. prof. dr. Jurgita Kulaitienė, lecturer dr. Nijolė Vaitkevičienė and lecturer dr. Dovilė Levickienė of the Department of Plant Biology and Food Sciences from Vytautas Magnus University (VDU) Agriculture Academy, Faculty of Agronomy, were participating at the Staff Training Week- English Course at Barcelona, Spain.

In these courses, teaching and administrative staff from different countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Lithuania and Belgium) were attended.

With this Erasmus+ training visit teachers had the opportunity to work on oral communication skills in an authentic academic setting, attended courses in private language school in Barcelona. Sessions involved short lectures, specific learning tasks, group work, vocabulary building, and pronunciation exercises. Were placed with the right class and level to increase competence in the English language. As well as the visit has given an opportunity to get know their history, culture and people.

Project „RURALYOUTH” transnational partners meeting in Lithuania

The first face to face transnational meeting of partners in the Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships for youth project “Empowering rural tourism through entreprenuership with youth” (acronym RURALYOUTH) finnaly happend. It took place in 23-24 of November and was hosted by Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania) adn organised by assoc. prof. Rasa Pranskūnienė from Bioeconomy Development Faculty together with Daiva Bukšnienė, director of Lukšiai Culture Centre, Šakiai district.

Meeting has been organised not only as face to face meeting, but as well as online meeting. The meeting was attended by representatives of 6 project partners, including: project coordinator: Eskisehir Osmangazi University (Turkey) and project partners: Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava (Slovakia), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland), Eskisehir Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey), ProEduca z.s. (Czech Republic). Face to face meeting partners coming fromꓽ Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania), Eskisehir Osmangazi University (Turkey), University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn (Poland), ProEduca z.s. (Czech Republic) had possibility to enjoy the first snow. During the meeting partners have shared their institutional presentations, as well the representants of consortium discussed the ongoing project activities and the training program being prepared, as well as worked on a plan for future project activities.

The project, which has a 24 month implementation period, forms a lifelong education system for tourism students, who would like to be the entrepreneurs in rural areas. The project creates actions to improve knowledge of agricultural, touristic, rural, cultural and entrepreneurship among young people and will prevent miss-match for tourism students. With this project, which was formed with 6 partners, it was aimed to support the development of rural areas, to support lifelong learning, to increase awareness of the nationality through education and technology-based distance education model and to develop action plans in line with the European Youth Strategy.

We are very happy and especially grateful to Lukšiai Culture Centre, hotel „Zyplių dvaro oficina“, restoran „Kuchmistrai” and Šakiai district Lukšiai municipality for the memorable experiences and possibility to have this meeting at Zypliai Manor.

A Visit to the University of Palermo (UNIPA)

Assoc. prof. dr. Anželika Dautartė (Dept. of Environment and Ecology, Faculty of Forest Sciences and Ecology) visited the University of Palermo (UNIPA) in Italy from November 9^th to 11^th, 2021, as part of the Erasmus+ teaching program. Agricultural activity’s influence on the environment, eutrophication of water bodies, changes in biodiversity, and their prospects were discussed at the PhD degree Fall seminars “Biodiversity in Agriculture and Forestry” during the teaching visit. With interested students and professors, the opportunities for exchanges, studies, and internships at VMU Agriculture Academy were discussed. On behalf of the departmental Erasmus+ coordinator, dr. Antonio Comparetti, the prospective research collaborations, and ways to improve scientific collaborations with staff members of the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Forestry Sciences was explored.

The University of Palermo (UNIPA) is a consolidated cultural, scientific, and teaching presence in central-western Sicily. Its 5 Schools and 20 Departments cover the most important domains of contemporary scientific and technological knowledge. The researchers study every day to find new solution to the questions posed by nature, science and society. From Information Technology to Biology, from Mathematics to Medicine, to Social Sciences and Preservation of Cultural Heritage, the University works to make its contribution of innovation and progress to the international scientific community and the world of production.

4th meeting of the Smartrural project

Assoc. prof. dr. Rasa Pranskūnienė and assoc. prof. dr. Aušra Rūtelionė from Bioeconomy Development Faculty (Vytautas Magnus University, Lithuania) have attended the face to face meeting of partners in the Erasmus + KA203 “SMARTRURAL” project at Pegaso University, Italy. Thus, 4th meeting of the SMARTRURAL project (Erasmus + KA203 project – Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Towards smart rural tourism development in Europe) took place on 3rd and 4th of November 2021 in Naples. It was hosted by the University Pegaso (Italy). Partners from 7 academic units in Europe came together to summarize the project activities such as online course, best practices, promotion and dissemination works.

There was also a Multipier Event for an international audience, hosted by colleagues from Pegaso University on 4th of November 2021. The next Multiplier Events disseminating the project and promoting the course on the Moodle platform will take place in partner countries, Spain, Poland, Turkey, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia at the end of November and in December 2021.