Lithuanian farmers are becoming more and more aware and choose sustainable farming, which is promoted by ecological systems (ekoschemas). Although the public believes that the main reason for farmers’ participation in ecosystems is attractive financial payments, after surveying the farmers, it became clear that a conscious choice to take care of nature is more important to them.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, agricultural land and crop areas where ecoschemas are applied are growing in Lithuania. Farmers implement ecoschema requirements, the purpose of which is to slow down soil degradation and improve its productivity, conserve water resources, reduce greenhouse gases and ammonia release into the environment, promote biodiversity and landscape.
Farmers are paid generous payments for applying these requirements. For example, in 2023-2027 period, 25% is allocated annually to ecoschemas. A total of 3 billion annual payment budget amounting to EUR.
Farmers are not motivated by money
However, do financial incentives alone motivate farmers to farm more sustainably? The bioethanol and biogas manufacturing company ‘Kurana’ conducted a survey of the farmers’ opinions, the results of which were surprising. When asked to list the main reasons for participating in ecoschemas, as many as 90.5 percent. respondents named the importance and biodiversity of the environment around them. 47.6 percent farmers mentioned the need to comply with EU requirements and only 38.1 percent distinguished financial benefits.
‘We saw that for farmers, sustainable agriculture is more than just payments – this is also attention to the environment around them, biodiversity, soil quality. to spend,’ said Jurgis Polujanskas, CEO of Kurana.
The results of the survey suggest that ecoschemas would be even more popular if they were easier to understand. Even 81 percent survey participants noted that the requirements of ecoschemas are too complicated, there is a lot of bureaucracy. 47.6 percent farmers wanted more attractive financial benefits, and 24 percent respondents answered that they lack information about ecoschemas.
The study was conducted in order to better understand the motives of farmers to protect the environment. The company located in Pasvaly buys 169 thousand from farmers every year. tons of non-food grains. The company adheres to high environmental standards throughout the chain of activity, from raw material, production to the final product for consumers. Therefore, ‘Kurana’ aims for the farmers who sell grain to pay great attention to environmental protection.
‘As agriculture intensifies, the rural environment changes – meadows and bushes are decreasing, so it is becoming increasingly difficult for birds to find suitable places to live and feed. Therefore, it is very important that farmers see themselves as natural partners: understand their responsibility and protect the environment. Ecoschems provide an opportunity for this concern turned into concrete actions – they help maintain biodiversity and at the same time create a more sustainable future for the village,’ says Liutauras Raudonikis, director of the Lithuanian Ornithological Society, which represents Birdlife International.
Educational initiative for farmers
According to the representative of ‘Kurana’, in order to push farmers to participate more actively in ecoschemas, ‘Kurana’ together with the Lithuanian Ornithological Society started an educational initiative.
The project ‘Harmone with nature’ is intended to encourage as many farmers as possible to live in harmony with nature – to protect biodiversity, conserve natural resources, and introduce advanced agriculture practices on their farms. If farmers apply ecoschems and they cover larger areas than the necessary requirements, then they claim a benefit package, from awards and free agricultural consultations to excursions. In the long run, it is intended to expand the scope of the project by deepening the knowledge and competences of farmers, motivating them to implement sustainable agriculture practices on their farms.
Popularity is growing
Ecoschemas include all types of agricultural land – arable land, perennial meadows, perennial plantations, as well as increasing animal welfare. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the popularity of ecoschemas is growing, and the growth of some of them is even double-digit.
The production activities of the ecological system ‘Activity in arable land’ remain the most popular. 18.5% of the area of the ‘intermediate crops’ of the ecoschema was declared this year. more than last year, ‘Non-tillage technologies’ – 9 percent. more, and ‘plant change’ – 7.7 percent. more than in 2024
The declared area of some ecoschema activities has even doubled during the year – it is ‘extensive management of perennial meadows by grazing animals’, ‘Management of natural meadows, wetlands and species of species of EC importance’, ‘Conservative fruit, fruit, Berry and Vegetable Program’.
