estonian agriculture, rural economy and food industry

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5. There is competition for entrance into the Agricultural University The Estonian Agricultural University admitted 863 students in the year 2000. Competition was one of the toughest among universities. Four to five candidates competed for each state-sponsored place in the traditional agricultural areas of specialisation: agronomy, animal husbandry, agricultural, and enterprise engineering. Up to 15–16 candidates competed for each state-sponsored place in the utilisation and protection of natural resources and landscape protection and maintenance. The strategic development plans of the Agricultural University (EAU) were formulated in 2000. The development plan also provides for the preparation of specialists with higher education in areas of specialisation such as landscape design, environmental protection, sustainable use of renewable natural resources, food quality and safety, tourism, and socio-economic development of rural areas, in addition to the traditional areas of specialisation. A new structure of the university is being built based on the development plan. All curricula of the EAU have been accredited, some of them conditionally (agricultural engineering at all levels of study, master's study in agricultural energetics, and doctorate study in water management and rural engineering). In order to modernise the study opportunities, new subjects are added each year in the existing areas of specialisation and new areas of specialisation are also added. Since 1997, higher education can also be obtained through distant learning, but the students have to pay their own tuition fees. In the year 2000, admission to master's and doctoral studies also increased at EAU: 132 students were admitted to master's study and 44 to doctorate study. Research institutions, the advisory From 2001, all areas of specialisation required for rural economy can be studied at Türi Engineering and Rural Economy School, including the profession of a horse breeder. system, agricultural schools, as well as state agencies need specialists with a higher education. The number of students in rural economy vocational educational institutions could be greater School reform continues Areas of specialisation directly related to agricultural production are taught in nine vocational educational institutions. In 1997, the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in cooperation with different associations of employers/ employees, professional associations, and ministries prepared a concept aimed at developing the preparation of a competitive labour force. The professional standard establishing requirements for professional, social, and personality qualification was approved in 2000. The development and regular improvement of the higher education curricula and different levels of study on the basis of professional standards is essential for bringing the content and quality of teaching into compliance with the demands of the labour market and the opportunities of the enterprise environment. The basic requirements for curricula have been established. School farms are still present in four schools, but insufficient state funding does not allow for their modernisation. Considering the number of students who desire to study agriculture, it is reasonable to develop one or two practical training centres in Estonia that specialise in plant and livestock production. Educational institutions teaching rural economy professions admitted 123 students in 2000; agricultural vocational educational establishments admitted 161 students in the 2000/01 academic year (the planned number was 331): 89 students in home and farm economics, 72 in agriculture, 119 in horticulture, 106 in forest management, 122 in fisheries and shipping, 49 in home and cleaning services (including home economics). As a portion of the graduates from vocational educational establishments do not work in their area of specialisation, vocational education covers less than onefifth of the demand. It is estimated that 700–750 agricultural workers should be prepared to enter the job market on an annual basis. A survey carried out among agricultural producers favored the approach that practical skills should be acquired in school before entering the job market. For example, areas of specialisation relating to horticulture, fishing, 20
5. forestry, and processing of agricultural products are only taught in 1 or 2 specialised educational establishments, which have practical training facilities offering sufficient preparation for work in the production sector. Complementary and conversion training form a part of vocational education in rural economy. Training is provided by vocational educational establishments, farm unions, and other interest groups. A complementary training system and a related database have been developed in the area of rural economy. Agricultural producers are in need of advice The agricultural producers' advisory system was shaped in 1996 and its development continues. In 2000, 2,021 producers used the advisory service and concluded 2,357 contracts with consultants. Seminars were held for 185 groups with a total of 5,208 participants. A total of 183 agricultural advisors have been attested since 1997. The aim of the advisory service is to assist agricultural producers by providing quality information and for communicating state information and information regarding the EU. The state's role is to facilitate and finance the advisory service. The developmental goals of the advisory service are: to develop and apply measures that are beneficial for the whole society; to prepare advisors with the necessary skills. A centre coordinating the dissemination of agricultural and rural economy information (PIKK) was established in 2001 by the Ministry of Agriculture. The centre will collect and process information that is intended for rural inhabitants (including state information). Applied researchers, trainers, advisory services, a market information system, etc. will be involved in the dissemination of information. The ultimate goal of the center is that it be a useful link between the state and the rural population. From advisor to producer, from producer to advisor. The advisory service is a link between scientific research, state information, and active farmers by which the needed information reaches the farmers through advisors. Through the same capacity, the problems of farmers and rural living reach state agencies, as well as those responsible for education. Farmers have Talutark. The Estonian Farmers' Federation developed its own electronic computerbased advisory system called Talutark. Talutark regards a farm as a complete economic entity, in which natural, technical, and financial resources are used for production. The economic and natural opportunities, in consideration of the limitations of a farm can be taken into account in planning each activity. Results can be measured and economic efficiency can be assessed. Nearly one hundred farmers and other agricultural producers have begun to use Talutark programmes. Different forms of advice There are three forms of advising: Individual advising; An agricultural producer addresses an advisor directly. The state compensates for a part of the cost of advice in the form of advisory support. The sum of support as well as the producer’s share in paying the price has increased over the years. The price of advisory support per farmer was 1,980 EEK in 1996, of which the producer paid 10%. In 2000, the sum of support was 5,550 EEK and the farmer's contribution depended on the cost of the advisory service: an advisory service valued at up to 3,000 EEK is a 15% cost to the farmer; an advisory service valued up to 6,000 EEK is a 50% cost to the farmer. Individual advice is particularly useful to small producers; advisors have become 'family advisors' for many of them. Group advising; Group advising means special training (in plant production, livestock production, accounting, etc.) for certain groups of producers. Information days introducing one or many successful farms, in which a farmer shares his or her experience and answers questions, are popular among producers. Local farm unions are the most active organisers of group advice. Mass advising; This advisory activity is targeted at a larger interest group and advice is disseminated through typical media channels (radio, press, etc). According to a survey carried out by the Institute of Economic Research, the greatest source of information about rural life and agriculture is the newspaper Maaleht. Its web site contains an informational feature, where a visitor can obtain well-formed information regarding rural economy and related areas. The Estonian Farmers' Federation publishes the Dairy specialists graduate from Õisu Technical School 21
Page 1 and 2: ESTONIAN AGRICULTURE, RURAL ECONOMY
Page 3 and 4: Contents 1. What Estonia is like 3
Page 5 and 6: 1. What Estonia is like Estonia is
Page 7 and 8: 1. Climate • Estonia’s climate
Page 9 and 10: 2. Reforms have changed Estonian ag
Page 11 and 12: 2. rural inhabitants in agriculture
Page 13 and 14: 3. Trade is largest with European U
Page 15 and 16: 4. Economic results of agriculture
Page 17 and 18: 4. smaller enterprises (up to 40 ha
Page 19 and 20: 4. in ownership relations, a situat
Page 21: 5. Young people are interested in a
Page 25 and 26: 6. Forests are an important natural
Page 27 and 28: 7. Fishing is an important industry
Page 29 and 30: 8. Food industry yields a quarter o
Page 31 and 32: 8. Concentration The concentration
Page 33 and 34: 9. Measures taken to assure food sa
Page 35 and 36: 10. Rural enterprise is developing
Page 37 and 38: 10. ments, development of alternati
Page 39 and 40: 11. Different landscape types have
Page 41 and 42: 11. tion areas. The areas belonging
Page 43 and 44: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE STRUCTURE A

estonian agriculture, rural economy and food industry

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