This paper looks into the Masagana 99 Rice Production Program to identify policy issues associated with technology transfer in rural development, determine and evaluate the economic implications of policy issues and identify research training concerns. After considering the issues, the author presents two major conclusions: 1. That Masagana 99's short-run goals and objectives focused only on increased production and productivity but overlooked the well-being of primary beneficiaries of development in terms of income, employment, education, health, participation on involvement in the program, and many others. 2. That Masagana 99 implementors failed to provide credit, marketing and processing, and technical support services. The author proceeds to present an estimate of the probable cost necessary to correct the above inefficiencies.

The author examines the ecological impact of technology transfer in rural development. He says that developing countries like the Philippines face many problems resulting from the manipulations in ecosystems as a result of technology transfer. For example, the use of chemicals to protect new rice varieties has resulted in environmental hazards. He further says that developing countries face conflicting choice whether to promote their development or sacrifice ecological aims. To resolve the conflict of technology transfer creating havoc to the ecological system, the author presents an alternative development strategy which is called the ecodevelopment strategy. This strategy calls for the understanding of the interrelationship between the environment and development. The author also encourages policy makers to examine first the kind of development to be introduced that would protect and improved the environment and not vice-versa. Finally, the author quotes Dasmann who said that development should not be implemented at the expense of natural system vital to long-term healthy functioning of the human environment.

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.

The aim of the experiment reported here was to evaluate the effects of an inoculant SIL-ALL**4x4 on the fermentation quality and chemical composition of silage made from meadow-fescue and meadow-foxtail. Inoculant SIL-ALL**4x4 provided the good quality of silage in all stages of maturity. Lactic acid fermentation of inoculated silage was very extensive, especially in the stages of ear formation of meadow-fescue. The results indicated that the use of inoculant improved fermentation and silage hygienic quality.

Latvia has essential territorial differences in socio-economic development. Therefore the task of the state is to realise such regional policy which decreases unfavourable territorial differences, facilitates balanced territorial development and increases the life quality of the inhabitants. The regions deserving special support have an important role in the implementation of regional policy. The state support from the specially established Regional Fund is mainly being given to the enterprises which are located in the regions deserving special support, sometimes - to local governments. Up to now the state support was more frequently given to the peasant farms and individual enterprises and occasionally to the stock companies, local governments etc. In the period from 1998 to 2000, interest payments for specific credits compile 82% from the usage of the Regional Fund. The directions of the application of the Regional Fund are not wide at present and they should be diversified.