| Abstract [eng] |
The dissertation deals with the integration of the sustainability concept into the most highly financed measure of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – the direct payments (DP) system, its impact on agricultural sustainability. The main aim of the thesis is to identify the impact of the DP system on agricultural sustainability. To achieve it, a model for assessing the impact of the DP system on agricultural sustainability has been developed. Main objectives of the thesis: it was aimed to study the nature of sustainability concept and changes as well as to adapt them for assessment of agricultural development; to define a contribution of the DP system while striving for agricultural sustainability, identifying the linkage between agricultural sustainability dimensions and DP system goals in reforming the CAP; to analyse instruments for assessment of the impact of agricultural policy and its measures on agricultural sustainability in order to justify a model for assessment of the impact of the DP system on agricultural sustainability; to develop a model for assessment of the impact of the CAP DP system on agricultural sustainability, to verify its adaptability in analysing the impact of the DP system on the sustainability of farmers’ farms in Lithuania in 2004–2014. The dissertation consists of an introduction, three chapters, general conclusions, a list of references and a list of author’s publications on the topic of the dissertation. The introduction focuses on the problem under study and relevance of research; the object of research is described, the objective and tasks of research are formulated, research methodology, scientific novelty of research, practical value of research findings and the statements for defence are described. At the end of the introduction the author’s publications published on the topic of the dissertation, reports at conferences and dissertation structure are presented. Chapter 1 reveals the development of the sustainability concept and its integration into agricultural policy and DP system, linkage between the DP system goals and sustainability dimensions is identified, the sustainability assessment instruments of the CAP impact on agricultural sustainability are discussed. Chapter 2 presents a model for assessment of the impact of the DP system on agricultural sustainability; its elements, the selection of indicators in creating an index as a final product of the model is provided. The combined application of multi-criteria methods SAW, TOPSIS and EDAS in the model is presented. Chapter 3 provides the values of the calculated index in Lithuania, the causes of the DP system impact on agricultural sustainability are determined. Four articles on the topic of the dissertation were published, reports at Lithuanian and foreign scientific conferences and at Foggia University (Italy) during the internship were delivered. |
