The topic of the article is especially relevant, because not only in Lithuania, but also all over the world, due to human activities, climate change and other processes, the most natural component of the landscape-wetlands-is rapidly disappearing. Wetlands not only have a unique biodiversity, are valuable elements of the landscape, but also perform many important functions for humanity. Drainage of wetlands results in the loss of most of these functions, as well as secondary problems such as greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution by peat decomposition products, and many others. Wetlands are declining or deteriorating in many parts of the world. More than 90% of former wetlands have been destroyed or severely damaged in Western Europe, more than 50% in Central Europe and about 70% in Southeast Asia. The aim of this article is to determine the change in the areas of Lithuanian wetlands. Thus, the study found that wetland areas were declining in all counties of the country. The largest percentage decrease in wetlands was in Kaunas (67.43%) and Tauragė (54.33%) counties. During the period of 2002-2021, the area of wetlands in the Republic of Lithuania decreased by 50,893.11 ha (34.60%) and in 2021 accounted for 0.15% of the country’s territory, while in 2002 – 2.25%. In order to protect the wetlands, it is necessary to take special measures, carry out intensive projects and works for the restoration of wetlands.

The topic of this article is relevant because in Lithuania the assessment of the area occupied by plantations and green spaces has shown that the area standards do not meet the requirements and recommendations of the World Health Organisation. Green spaces are regulated differently in different countries of the European Union. Lithuania has also developed a legal framework for the protection, management and establishment of new plantations and green spaces. However, this legal framework is im-proving and new laws are being added to it. Comparative, analytical, as well as statistical, and logical analysis methods were used for the investigation. The data of the Land Fund of the Republic of Lithuania for 2002–2022 were used for comparative investigation. The aim of this article is to perform an analysis of the change in the trees and shrubs greenery area of Lithuania in 2002–2022. In Lithuania, for example, trees and shrubs occupied 84,687.48 ha in 2002. In 2022, the plantation area amounted to 208,609.48 ha. From 2002 to 2022 the area of tree and shrub plantations in Lithuania increased by 123,922.00 ha or 146.33%. The analysis shows that in the period between the years 2002 and 2022 the biggest increase in the area of shrubs and plantations took place in Utena County (32,715.83 ha or 395.27%), but the smallest increase in Tauragė County (2,642.93 ha or 37.69%) and Marijampolė County (4,581.39 ha or 72.25%).The development of plantation areas has been positively influenced by the creation of an appropriate legislative framework and the implementation of plantation programmes in counties and municipalities.

Book chapter | Non-PR | IFPRI-4

This paper examines those factors influencing the uptake and impact of renewable natural resource's research giving particular attention to the identification of promotion pathways, dissemination and adoption of soil and water conservation technologies suitable for small farmers in semi-arid parts of Zimbabwe. Problems faced by communal area farmers in these areas cannot be solved by simply adaption and introduction of already existing technologies. Apart from technologies for maize and cotton successfully developed for high potential areas, technology does not exist or inappropriate as it is perceived as too risky by farmers. To make research more effective more attention needs to be given to project identification, design and appraisal with active involmentand consultation with intended beneficiries and stakeholders usingmore participatory methods that consider socio-economic acceptability and identify dissemination pathways

The paper describes three participatory approaches geared towards rural development of innovations and agricultural extension and research presently developed and tested in pilot activities in Masvingo Province. All these approaches require new roles from the main development agents. With regard to agricultural extension workers, the role "teacher" must be replaced by the role facilitator for technical issues and social processes. This role change requires a major change in attitudes and a higher social competence than the technocratic extension workers have at present. The role change must be accompanied by the provision of tools and methodologies to the extension workers. Out of three methodologies (diagnostic survey, PRA and Training for Transformation) of which the potential contributions to a role change are discussed, Training for Transformation is suggested as a major tool for initiating the role change as it provides the required philosophic framework as well as practical methods and tools to encourage farmer participation. A review of experiences and constraints in the implementation of participatory approaches and the role changes revealed the transition period as a critical point. During that process intensive support has to be provided and an effective staff appraisal and monitoring system have to be in place to guide the extension workers. Steps to introduce participatory approaches into the extension system are proposed through a training programme for different levels of staff suggested on the basis of experiences gained so far. It is concluded that a consistent curriculum and a close follow-up is required to integrate participatory extension approaches successfully into the agricultural extension service.

Non-PR | IFPRI4