Characteristics of agricultural land use and land market in Lithuania

Abstract

The article analyses data on land use, conditions for development of commercial farms and processes of land market in the administrative units of Lithuania. Indicators of the land use intensity are expressed in percentage of agricultural land in use, percentage of annual plants in agricultural land and changes in area of the main crops. It was established, that land productivity grade as well as degree of formed farm structures and development of livestock farming have the greatest influence on the intensity of land use. Activity of agricultural land market is influenced by the need of good value land for farming, and by the impact of large cities and recreational areas. The article gives forecasts for the areas of agricultural crops and development of farms for the period of 2011 - 2013. Basic conditions to intensify the use of agricultural land and farming are specified.