In this chapter, we have surveyed some of the issues relating to the implementation of participatory research for livestock development. Participatory research is only one type of research paradigm, and we do not see it as a replacement for traditional research with a technological focus. However, it can often help to generate research outputs that are much more focused on the needs of end-users in the world’s least developed countries (LDCs). Many of the issues related to applying participatory research to livestock constraints and opportunities are similar to those for other household enterprises. There is, however, a number of unique features of the role that livestock play in households, such as their capacity to support other aspects of the farming system through the provision of draught power and high quality organic matter for soil amendment (manure/compost), as well as their contribution to rolling household incomes. In smallholder farm systems, livestock are normally highly integrated in the system, both deriving and conferring benefits on other enterprises within the system, and their contributions to livelihoods are diverse and not just related to the provision of food. Much has been made of the negative impacts of livestock on environmental parameters in recent years. While effective management of livestock is essential to mitigate against their potentially negative environmental effects, it can be argued that these have often been overstated, and that good livestock management can actively support good environmental outcomes. Livestock populations are likely to increase in LDCs over the coming decades, so well planned research is likely to continue to be very important in supporting this trend by identifying approaches for increasing the productive efficiency of livestock enterprises.

The importance of organic farming has increased rapidly in Estonia in the last few years. Nevertheless the higher prices of organic products are not presented in Estonia yet, but the official subsidies are often the main reason to start organic farming. The Estonian Republic supports organic farming as a branch of environmentally sustainable agriculture. The main theme of this article was to explain - is the organic cereal production profitable for farmers.

The article gives an insight into the development of the programme "Education for All" and Latvia's participation in the programme within the context of the Baltic Sea sub-region. The programme "Education for All" was agreed upon in 1990 in Jomtien at the World Education Forum, which were attended by representatives from 155 countries, 33 international organizations and 125 NGO. The goals of the programme include ensuring the right to education to all and promoting accessibility to education to everybody. The Dakar Framework for Action adopted at the World Education Forum sets guidelines for the development of the programme in the years 2000-2015.

The goal of the present research was to study formation of the productivity of perennial ryegrass at different rates of mineral fertiliser use. Field experiments were carried out on Sod-Podzolic soils during 1999-2001. The following mineral fertiliser rates were used: N and P205 each - 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 kg ha*[-1); K20 - 0, 40, 80, 120, 160 kg ha*[-1). The productivity of DM and seeds was dependent on genetic characteristics of the particular variety, on the rates of mineral fertiliser and as well as on the meteorological conditions prevailing in each investigation year. The average DM yield, depending on the particular variety, constituted 2.21-6.07 t ha*[-1), and the average seed yields were 255-672 and 133-400 kg ha*[-1) in 1st and 2nd years of stand uses, respectively.

Requirements concerning the welfare of production animals and the low profitability of beef cattle breeding have brought exercise yards and feedlots to Finnish farms. Depending on the use of the yard, there are different aspects that have to be taken into consideration. The structure of the yard, the surface material and the space allowance are important from the point of view of both animal welfare and environmental impact. Two exercise yards have been designed, constructed and monitored, together with two feedlot areas. Samples of runoff water, gravity water, subsoil and topsoil have been taken. Their nutrient concentrations and hygienic quality have been analysed. The behaviour of animals has been observed.