DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE INTENSIFICATION EVALUATION METHODOLOGY FOR FARMLANDS IN LATVIA.

Land resources are not fully exploited for agricultural production in Latvia. According to the Rural Support Service, in 2013 approximately 400 thousands ha of agricultural land were not declared for Single Area Payment Scheme. Increases in bioresources and food production in the world have become objective needs. Exploiting these land resources provides a possibility to increase agricultural output and economic efficiency in Latvia's rural areas. Yet, agricultural growth in Latvia's rural areas may not be in contradiction with sustainable development principles. It is necessary to intensify agricultural production by increasing agricultural output and contributing to comprehensively achieving sustainability indicators. To ensure sustainable intensification of Latvia's land resources, a theoretical model for calculating sustainable intensification indicators for agricultural holdings in Latvia, which involves social, economic, environmental and innovative sustainability, is being developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]