TITLE PAGES OF CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

Abstract

We are pleased to present the Proceedings of the 8^th International Scientific Conference “Rural Development 2017: Bioeconomy Challenges”. The Conference took place in Academia, Kaunas district, Lithuania at the Aleksandras Stulginskis University, 23-24 of November, 2017.

The 8^th International Scientific Conference “Rural Development 2017” was the most effective bi-annual platform for the interdisciplinary scientific discussions and the presentations of new ideas for Sustainable Rural Development in the context of Bioeconomy Challenges. The Conference brings together scientists, practitioners, policy makers and actors from private sector around the world to share their experience helping countries to provide their citizens with a more competitive economy, more and better jobs and a better quality of life.

The topic of the Conference has allowed for the exploration of different aspects of four main areas:

•    Biosystems Engineering and Environment

•    Agro-innovations and Food Technologies

•    Multifunctional Approach for Sustainable Use of Natural Resource

•    Social Innovations for Rural Development

The topic “Bioeconomy Challenges” chosen for the 8th International Scientific Conference sparked strong interest among the professional and scientific community and elicited great response to the call for papers. The Proceedings include 255 peer-reviewed papers and contributions from 739 authors. In total we received 276 submissions for the Conference. A selection of papers are available in this volume. The majority of the contributed papers are included as are selected papers from the discussions sessions.and have been peer reviewed by two experts.

We want to thank the contributors and the reviewers who made this issue possible. We also thank the Aleksandras Stulginskis University, Lithuanian Ministry of Agriculture, and Research Council of Lithuania for the generous financial support that made the Conference possible.