Sustainable Development Solutions: Growing and Processing Raspberries on Lithuanian Farms

Audrone Ispiryan; Algirdas Giedraitis; Kristina Sermuksnyte-Alesiuniene; Marian Butu; Vilma Atkociuniene; Alina Butu; Jonas Viskelis; Astrida Miceikiene

doi:10.3390/foods12213930

Foods (Oct 2023)

Sustainable Development Solutions: Growing and Processing Raspberries on Lithuanian Farms

Audrone Ispiryan,
Algirdas Giedraitis,
Kristina Sermuksnyte-Alesiuniene,
Marian Butu,
Vilma Atkociuniene,
Alina Butu,
Jonas Viskelis,
Astrida Miceikiene

Affiliations

Audrone Ispiryan: Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Instituto al. 1, LT-58344 Akademija, Lithuania
Algirdas Giedraitis: Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Klaipeda University, 84 Herkus Mantas Str. 84, LT-92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania
Kristina Sermuksnyte-Alesiuniene: Lithuanian Centre for Social Sciences, Institute of Economics and Rural Development, A. Vivulskio Str. 4A-13, LT-03220 Vilnius, Lithuania
Marian Butu: National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Splaiul Independentei 296, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
Vilma Atkociuniene: Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentų Str. 11, LT-53361 Akademija, Lithuania
Alina Butu: National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences, Splaiul Independentei 296, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
Jonas Viskelis: Institute of Horticulture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry, Instituto al. 1, LT-58344 Akademija, Lithuania
Astrida Miceikiene: Agriculture Academy, Vytautas Magnus University, Studentų Str. 11, LT-53361 Akademija, Lithuania

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12213930
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 12, no. 21
p. 3930

Abstract

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The EU’s goals by 2050 are to ensure food security, prevent bio-diversity loss, and strengthen the EU food system’s resilience. Recent scientific research and the situation in the global market show that the cultivation and processing of raspberries is currently completely unsustainable. This sector is experiencing a huge decline in Lithuania. Therefore, we chose the sustainability of raspberry growing (from farm) and processing (to fork) as an object. The aim of this article was (i) to analyze the raw material of the raspberry plant for product sustainable processing, (ii) to create a digital sustainability measurement model, and (iii) to present sustainable development solutions for effective raspberry growing and processing on Lithuanian farms using content and descriptive methods. This paper discusses how to help small raspberry growers and processors achieve sustainable economic, environmental, and social performance from field raw material to processed products. Analysis of the scientific literature has revealed qualitative and quantitative sustainability indicators for improving raspberry production. The assessment of the sustainability according to our created model revealed the (un)sustainable factors and the current situation in raspberry farms on a Likert scale from very unsustainable to very sustainable. Based on the evaluation we have determined sustainable development solutions. Raspberry growing and processing in Lithuania can contribute to environmental conservation, economic growth, and social well-being, fostering a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector by investing in R&D, improving productivity, creating employment opportunities and supporting rural communities, establishing a robust waste management system, and embracing renewable energy sources. Raspberry growers and processors can use the digital model we created for the sustainability, efficiency, and development directions of their farm.

Published in Foods

ISSN: 2304-8158 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/foods

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