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Both agricultural and environmental domains have to manage many different and heterogeneous sources of information that need to be combined in order to make environmentally and economically sound decisions. Such examples may be found at the definition of subsidies, national strategies for rural development, development of sustainable agriculture etc. This paper describes in detail the development of an open data model for (precision) agriculture applications and agricultural pollution monitoring when aiming at identification of requirements from users from agricultural and environmental domains. The presented open data model for (precision) agriculture applications and agricultural pollution monitoring has been registered under the GEOSS (Global Earth Observation System of Systems) Architecture Implementation Pilot – Phase 8 in order to support the wide variety of demands that are primary aimed at agriculture and water pollution monitoring.

Building and developing social capital is regarded as a major factor underpinning the development of rural areas, while the LEADER approach to rural development has been found to have a great potential for creation and use of social capital. Therefore, the aim of the study is to explore the LEADER approach in building social capital in rural areas of Latvia and Poland, based on the thematic analysis of the implemented projects during 2007-2013. To achieve the objective, the study explores the introduction of the approach in Latvia and Poland, as well as presents project case studies for social capital formation in Latvia and Poland, by using appropriate materials and research methods. Projects carried out under the LEADER 2007-2013 in Latvia and Poland affect rural communities regarding social capital on different levels at the same time: build trust, create bonds around common values and raise citizens' involvement in joint initiatives. There are examples of projects that contribute to the building of structural social capital, relational social capital and cognitive social capital in Latvia and Poland. Overall, the thematic analysis of the realized projects in Latvia and Poland reveals that in relation to the social capital they have improved the possibilities for gathering and socialization, for participation in interest groups and associations. Never before in rural areas of Latvia and Poland there has been such a form of cooperation of different local actors, applying the bottom-up approach. Studies show that this approach works well in practice and brings the intended effects to rural development. Keywords: RDP 2007-2013, LEADER approach, rural areas, social capital Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.131

Recently, smart system integration was identified as a key competence for optimizing machines and robots. However, when one wants to ’tune’ the entire production process a step further is necessary. We should evaluate performance indicators (e.g. energy and material consumption) over the whole machine life cycle in order to align the production with circular economy principles. To reach that target MBSE (model-based system engineering) should be covered by advanced digital twin approaches which allow continuous monitoring of machine performance, predict the failures and maintenance. Moreover, artificial intelligence and machine learning must be used to process big data sets gathered from the production lines. This paper identifies a common set of technologies and building blocks suitable to solve above mentioned problems for a large variety of industrial domains (semiconductor production, health-care robotics, CNC 1 machining, high-speed packaging and others). It presents the first results of the large-scale IMOCO4.E 2 project and shows the pathways for application of the technology on specific machines (so-called pilots). The authors believe the ideas presented could be inspiring also in other domains.

Over the past two years, two AgriDemo-F2F and PLAID (H2020) have investigated peer learning in the context of on-farm demonstrations across Europe. Both projects will produce their results in the coming months. Early 2018, NEFERTITI (H2020) started with the objective to boost peer learning through the development of 10 supra-regional networks of on-farm demonstrations in Europe. The NEFERTITI demonstration networks will build on the results from AgriDemo-F2F and PLAID. The assessment of P2P learning during farm demonstration events is key in the three projects. The projects used a series of ‘Monitoring and Evaluation’ (M&E) methods and tools, such as observation templates, interview guides, participant surveys, journals, and group discussions. Whereas, in AgriDemo-F2F and PLAID the M&E methods and tools are aimed at M&E performed by and for actors external to the case demo events, NEFERTITI additionally also focusses on internal M&E performed by and for the organisers of the demonstrations events, thus creating tools for reflection. An evaluation of the M&E tools of the three projects indicates that evaluating peer learning during demonstrations is far from easy. Shortcomings of the M&E tools can be attributed both to the (lacking) scientific rigour of the data provided by the tools in specific fields and to the ease to use the tools. The contradiction between scientific rigour and the user friendliness is a specific challenge for NEFERTITI as they have to be used by both organisers of demonstrations who often lack experience in using M&E tools and by researchers who will analyse the monitored data to come up with overall conclusions and recommendations.

Consumers are increasingly demanding choices of ready-made foods with excellent organoleptic and health-related properties. There are two main trends in Europe; firstly, consumers are increasingly choosing foods that are comfortable for use, secondly, the number of people who are overweight is increasing, with more consumers paying close attention to the ingredients and nutritional value of products in order to balance the amount of the food they consume per day. The aim of the research was to develop new potato main courses and to determine their nutritional value. The research was carried out at the Faculty of Food Technology of the Latvia University of Agriculture, Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR" and Laboratory of Mineral Nutrition at the Institute of Biology of the University of Latvia. Four different potato main course types with amaranth, quinoa, bulgur and chicken were prepared for the study; plain potatoes were used as the control sample. The content of protein, carbohydrates, lipids, fibre and minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Mo, B) was determined in all potato main course samples. The addition of amaranth, quinoa and bulgur significantly increased the content of dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates and lipids (p<0.05), whereas the addition of chicken fillet significantly increased protein and lipid content, but reduced the content of carbohydrates and dietary fibre. The content of various minerals, which are an indispensable part of the diet as they are necessary for the body's life processes and normal development, was significantly increased by the addition of chicken to the potato main course. The highest dietary fibre content was detected in potato main course with amaranth (3.0 g per 100 g product), drawing up to 9.0 g dietary fibre per one serving (300 g). Following the Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006, potatoes with amaranth can be defined as the “source of fibre”. Keywords: nutritional value, potato main course, retorts packaging. Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.078

In Latvia, for more than a decade, a container system for packaging waste segregation has been in a continuous process of development – starting with the first containers in the beginning of 2000s until now, when there are efforts made to provide containers to people living in rural areas. Although the regeneration targets set by EU are fulfilled by the existing system, it is still considered as not effective enough. In many cases the existing system is considered as economically and even environmentally unsustainable, but it is still maintained due to governmental pressure. At the same time, for about last five years hot discussions are held on implementation of packaging deposit system which would operate in parallel with the existing containers’ system. Since there are too many controversial arguments from the stakeholders involved, an analysis is necessary to assess the sustainability aspects of implementation of the depositrefund system in Latvia. The paper presents the results of an analysis of the social, economic and environmental aspects. The results show that the depositrefund system has a positive influence on the environmental aspects, however the benefits gained have to be balanced with the system’s costs and efficiency, which is hard to reach in Latvia because of small beverage drinks’ consumption. Therefore, solutions have to be found to enhance the existing curbside containers’ system rather than to introduce the deposit-refund system.

The previous survey among adult inhabitants of rural areas indicated that they do not see the possibility for development of business facilities in some rural regions of Latvia – so called specially protected nature territories (SPNT). However, the opinion of the younger generation (pupils of local schools of SPNT) about sustainable management and preservation of the nature has not been analyzed so far. The aim of study was to study the level of social awareness of children living in rural areas on sustainable environment issues. Several discussion-lectures on sustainable environment issues were organized during March-April 2017 in one of SPNT (Raznas National Park; 87 children from 6 to 12 classes were participating). The pupils’ opinion on environmental and social awareness indicated that children are more motivated to take active role in protection of environment. Moreover, most of them were aware of the importance of ecosystem services in their lives as well as their impact on nature. It was also found that the interest of children in agriculture derives from their family's core activities in this area indicating that there might be successful future scenarios in this area concentrating on development of ecological and economically sustainable innovative farming. Social innovation labs are very good example on potential scenario that could be repeated also in Latvian rural areas to areas of social actions in order find a better solutions and cope with problems and after all help to successfully generate ideas and implement innovations. Keywords: environmental and social awareness, rural pupils’ opinion, sustainable and innovative development Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2017.253