NPA showcases international projects at the "Animal Husbandry 2025" exhibition
The specialized exhibition "Animal Husbandry 2025," focused on advancements and innovations in the livestock sector, was organized by the Business and Social Partnership Centre of the Agricultural Academy at Vytautas Magnus University near Kaunas from September 25–27, 2025.
The event featured various breeds of dairy and meat cattle, horses, sheep, goats, poultry, and other farm animals, alongside cutting-edge equipment and modern technologies for husbandry farms. These included tools for fodder preparation, loader equipment, fodder dispensers, milking and manure handling devices, livestock and poultry feed additives, microbiological products, and a variety of services for livestock farms. Educational and practical sessions, as well as workshops, were organized to deepen participants’ and visitors’ understanding of innovations, advanced technologies, and sustainable solutions in the livestock sector.
At the exhibition, the NPA stand highlighted the implementation of international projects funded under various programs, including the EU LIFE programme-funded GFarm for LIFE project. This initiative aims to support national and EU climate change mitigation goals by driving systemic changes in Lithuania’s agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sector. It focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting carbon storage farming initiatives.
The GFarm for LIFE project is developing, testing, and implementing a common technological infrastructure and digital tools for monitoring GHG balances and soil organic carbon storage. The project brings together key stakeholders from science, business, public, and state sectors to create an ecosystem model for more accurate and reliable GHG assessments. It also seeks to design a framework for national carbon absorption certification and monitoring.
Visitors to the NPA stand showed interest in the GFarm for LIFE digital platform, which is being developed to facilitate the monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon management, including a carbon register that will contribute to achieving environmental goals.
Additionally, many inquiries were made about smart agriculture and the adoption of new technologies designed to reduce farm operational costs and enhance environmental sustainability. Lithuanian farmers expressed a strong interest in modernizing their equipment and increasing the competitiveness of their farms. To achieve this, it is essential to understand the functionality of innovative technologies and select the most suitable solutions and tools. The acquisition of new technologies requires support mechanisms that can accelerate the modernization process.
International agricultural exhibition “Ką pasėsi…2024” in Kaunas
From March 21–23, 2024, the 28th international exhibition “Ką pasėsi…2024” brought together the agricultural community and those interested in agriculture at the Academy of Agriculture in Kaunas. The event provided an excellent opportunity for participants to showcase a variety of innovations introduced over the past year, network with colleagues, and observe the achievements of partners and competitors firsthand. Visitors could explore a wide range of products and services tailored to their needs. The educational program featured researchers and practitioners who shared their accumulated knowledge and expertise. As per tradition, the exhibition also included a crafts and seedlings fair.
At the exhibition, the NPA stand showcased its work, including the implementation of international projects funded under various programs, such as the EU LIFE programme-funded GFarm for LIFE project. This project aims to support national and EU climate change mitigation goals by fostering systemic changes in Lithuania’s agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sector. It focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advancing carbon storage farming initiatives.
As part of GFarm for LIFE, common technological infrastructure and digital tools for monitoring GHG balances and soil organic carbon storage are being developed, tested, and implemented. The project unites key stakeholders from science, business, public, and state sectors to create an ecosystem model for more accurate and reliable GHG assessments. Additionally, it seeks to design a framework for national carbon absorption certification and monitoring.
Visitors to the NPA stand inquired about the GFarm for LIFE digital platform for monitoring, reporting, and verification of carbon management, including the development of a carbon register, which aims to contribute to environmental goals.
The NPA stand also received numerous questions about smart agriculture and the application of new technologies to reduce farm operational costs and enhance environmental sustainability. Lithuanian farmers expressed significant interest in modernizing their equipment and increasing the competitiveness of their farms. To achieve this, it is essential to understand how innovative technologies operate and select the appropriate solutions and tools. Farmers emphasized the need for support mechanisms to accelerate modernization through the acquisition of new technologies.
Participation in the EU CAP Paying Agencies’ Panta Rhei Conference (22–24 May 2024, Antwerp, Belgium)
The Panta Rhei Conference is a biannual event where representatives of EU CAP paying agencies share experiences, exchange best practices, and discuss emerging challenges related to computerization, digitalization, organizational issues, and the technical implementation of measures under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The conference is held twice a year, in spring and autumn.
During the Panta Rhei Conference in Antwerp, Belgium, from 22–24 May 2024, the importance of innovative tools was emphasized in the presentation “What’s Next After AMS?” delivered by an NPA representative. The NPA actively promotes digitalization and automation in agricultural practices, with a strategic focus on addressing the specific needs of rural areas.
The NPA presentation also highlighted the implementation of international projects funded under various programs, including the EU LIFE programme-funded GFarm for LIFE project. This initiative aims to support national and EU climate change mitigation goals by enabling systemic changes in Lithuania’s agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sector. The project focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and fostering carbon storage farming initiatives.
As part of GFarm for LIFE, common technological infrastructure and digital tools for monitoring GHG balances and soil organic carbon storage are being developed, tested, and implemented. The project unites key stakeholders from science, business, public, and state sectors to create an ecosystem model for more accurate and reliable GHG assessment. Additionally, it seeks to design a framework for national carbon absorption certification and monitoring.
The adoption of innovative solutions presented at the conference aims to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of farmers' operations, reduce GHG emissions, and contribute to the environmental protection goals outlined in the EU Green Deal, EU Climate Action, and other strategic EU documents. The presentation received positive feedback from the audience, highlighting its relevance and practical implications.
The 23rd Conference of the Baltic and Polish Paying Agencies in Estonia
From September 4 to 6, 2024, the National Paying Agency (NPA) participated in the 23rd annual Baltic and Polish Paying Agencies’ Conference in Tartu, Estonia. The conference was hosted by the Agricultural Registers and Information Board (ARIB), Estonia's paying agency. Representatives from the paying agencies of Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, and Finland gathered to exchange information, share best practices, and consult on daily operational issues, all aimed at enhancing the effective and efficient implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
The conference featured presentations on the achievements and experiences of paying agencies in administering activities under the Rural Development Programmes and Strategic Plans for 2023–2027. Key topics included current challenges and solutions related to CAP implementation. Highlights included:
- A presentation on data valorization and the use of Business Intelligence (BI) dashboards to enhance efficiency in ARIB, Estonia.
- Insights from the Polish paying agency ARMA on optimizing processes for handling agricultural investment applications.
- An update from the Latvian paying agency RSS on the results of the first year of CAP reform related to IACS payments in Latvia.
During the conference, NPA Deputy Director Tomas Orlickas delivered a presentation titled “AMS Current and Future Impact.” He outlined the results of Lithuania’s implementation of the area monitoring system (AMS) and introduced ongoing international projects involving the NPA, including the EU LIFE-funded GFarm for LIFE project.
The GFarm for LIFE project aims to contribute to national and EU climate change mitigation goals by enabling systemic changes in Lithuania’s agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sector. Its focus includes managing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, fostering carbon storage farming initiatives, and developing a common technological infrastructure with digital tools for monitoring GHG balances and soil organic carbon storage. The project unites key stakeholders from science, business, public, and state sectors to develop an ecosystem model for more accurate and reliable GHG assessment and to design a framework for national carbon absorption certification and monitoring.
This year’s workshops emphasized the practicalities of implementing monitoring systems and simplifying investment measures using artificial intelligence, control systems, and simplified cost methods.
On the final day, the Lithuanian Paying Agency (NPA) was announced as the host of the 2025 Conference of the Paying Agencies of the Baltic States and Poland.
Annual meetings like this, which focus on pressing issues and technological solutions for administering agricultural and rural development support, play a vital role in improving processes and strengthening collaboration among neighboring European paying agencies.
NPA participates in Estonia’s "Grain Forum 2024"
The national conference "Grain Forum 2024," organized by the Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce, was held in Tallinn, Estonia, on November 19, 2024. The event covered current trends in the grain sector, technological innovations, and market prospects. Discussions also addressed topics such as the legal regulation of carbon farming in contracts with producers at both national and European levels, food safety in Estonia and globally, and other relevant issues. Approximately 60 sector representatives, including experts from Estonian ministries, research organizations, and business enterprises, attended the conference.
The National Payment Agency (NPA) of Lithuania, along with EU Copa-Cogeca, was invited to participate as a guest. Claude Soude, Vice-Chairman of the Oilseeds Working Group at Copa-Cogeca, spoke about the EU regulatory burden and strategies to manage it. Martynas Rimgaila, Adviser to the Direct Support Unit of the NPA's Control Department, delivered a presentation titled "Inspection Mechanisms and Remote Monitoring." In his presentation, he highlighted the NPA’s latest initiatives and solutions designed to enhance control and supervision within the grain sector.
Additionally, Mr. Rimgaila introduced the audience to the ongoing international projects involving the NPA, including the EU LIFE programme-funded GFarm for LIFE project. This initiative aims to support national and EU climate change mitigation goals by fostering systemic changes in Lithuania’s agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU) sector. The project focuses on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting carbon storage farming initiatives.
As part of GFarm for LIFE, common technological infrastructure and digital tools for monitoring GHG balances and soil organic carbon storage are being developed, tested, and implemented. The project brings together key stakeholders from science, business, public, and state sectors to create an ecosystem model for accurate and reliable GHG assessment. Additionally, it aims to design a framework for national carbon absorption certification and monitoring.