Our partner Vytautas Magnus University held a series of three successful bioeconomy workshops in Lithuania, in November and December 2023, focusing on three core sectors: Aquaculture, Agriculture & Forestry and Food Production & Bioproducts. Let’s explore these transformative workshops one by one!
Spotlight on Aquaculture
The first Lithuanian workshop on Innovative bio-based solutions in Aquaculture, was conducted in a great atmosphere on November 15th, bringing together professionals, practitioners and scientists in the field! Participants were divided into small groups, each tasked with describing the linear system of a chosen biological aquatic feedstock and redesigning the aquaculture system by incorporating circular economy principles. The workshop focused on multiple cases of biobased solutions:
- Management & use of aquaculture sludge in open ponds and closed systems
- The use of reusable containers in small-scale carp aquaculture systems
- Design of fish products
- The development of bioenergy in aquaculture enterprises
The first Lithuanian workshop concluded with the group presentations, where participants’ teams had the opportunity to present their innovative ideas and practices generated during the workshop, highlighting the importance of the circular economy in Lithuania’s aquaculture sector.
Driving Circularity in Agriculture and Forestry
Let’s have a look at the second national workshop in Lithuania, held on November 30th, focused on examining innovative bio-based solutions in the sectors of agriculture and forestry. Bringing together farmers, businessmen, consultants, scientists and students in the field, this workshop’s main aim was to spark conversations and boost participants to think alternatively, in a more circular way. The attendees were divided into five groups, where they had to present the linear system of a chosen agricultural and forest feedstock and redesign the agriculture and forest farming by applying the principles of the circular economy. The workshop focused on innovative solutions for reforestation, planting, and growing forest seedlings; cultivation of agricultural crops using no-till and strip tillage and improving soil health through cover crops and permanent cover; waste utilisation in poultry farming; application of digital technologies in sugar beet cultivation.All teams showcased their innovative ideas generated during the workshop which highlighted the importance of applying circular economy principles in Lithuanian agriculture and forestry.
Food Production and Bioproducts
On December 7th, the third national workshop in Lithuania took place, focusing this time on the production of food and bioproducts in Lithuania and gathering multiple stakeholders from diverse backgrounds, from farmers to representatives of local activity groups and policymakers. Similarly with the previous events, all participants were divided into small groups, each tasked with describing the linear system example in food processing by incorporating circular economy principles. The main focus of the third workshop was on the following topics: design of food products, development of e-biobusiness in food processing and creation of high-added value food bioproducts. A key moment was the group presentations, where every team showcased their innovative ideas of applying circular economy principles in Lithuanian food and other bioproducts processing sectors.
Thank you Vytautas Magnus University for organising these successful events and engaging numerous participants! Looking forward to more initiatives that drive circularity, sustainability and innovation!