Jolita Greblikaite

Bioeconomy Research Institute, Vytautas Magnus University,

Lithuania

jolita.greblikaite@vdu.lt

ORCID 0000-0001-8327-1583

Methodological aspects of assessing the sustainability of the agricultural sector

Rolandas Rakstys

Faculty of Bioeconomy Development, Vytautas Magnus University,

Lithuania

rolandas.rakstys@vdu.lt

ORCID 0000-0003-0299-9930

Mantas Svazas

Bioeconomy Research Institute, Vytautas Magnus University,

Lithuania

mantas@svazas.lt

ORCID 0000-0003-1762-9617

Abstract. As the need for sustainability grows in various areas, the agricultural sector is also being turned to. This sector has pollution problems for which there are no cost-effective alternatives. However, complex actions would allow achieving a higher level of sustainability in individual agricultural disciplines. This is related to the necessary financial investments in the modernization of farms. The aim of this article – to developing a system of complex evaluation tool and a methodology for sustainability evaluation in dairy farms. A review of scientific sources was conducted revealing various methodologies for farm sustainability evaluation. A system of integrated evaluation indicators for the implementation of sustainable farming on dairy farms has been developed and verified in Lithuanian farm conditions. The developed methodology for assessing the level of sustainability in farms includes technical and economic indicators, which allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the possibilities of farms to change their activities in terms of environmental protection. The article showed that solutions related to elementary waste management and their conversion can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The developed methodology for measuring and assessing sustainability can be integrated into support schemes, with the help and use of which will be aimed at the sustainable development of dairy farms.

Received: April, 2024

1st Revision: March, 2025

Accepted: May, 2025

DOI: 10.14254/2071-8330.2025/18-2/2

JEL Classification: O13, P25, Q13

Keywords: sustainability, dairy farm, rural development