2017
Selle valdkonna püsiv URIhttp://hdl.handle.net/10492/5357
Sirvi
Sirvi 2017 Kuupäev järgi
Nüüd näidatakse 1 - 20 72
Tulemused lehekülje kohta
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Kirje Experimental analysis of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and commercial diesel fuel blend characteristics using modified CFR engine(2017) Gailis, M.; Rudzitis, J.; Kreicbergs, J.; Zalcmanis, G.Performance parameters of different commercial diesel fuels is a subject of interest for fuel consumers. Fuel retailer Neste recently introduced a new brand of WWFC 5th grade diesel fuel in Baltic market, consisting of diesel fuel and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) blend. Fuel samples have been recently tested on chassis dynamometer, measuring wheel power and torque and in road conditions, measuring fuel consumption. Evaluation of fuel consumption and performance parameters in road or laboratory conditions may yield uncertain results due to complexity of modern automobile engine management and emission reduction systems. To better evaluate the combustion, fuel samples have been tested in modified CFR engine at various intake air pressure, temperature and compression ratio settings. Engine indicated performance parameters and combustion phasing of regular diesel fuel and diesel fuel-HVO blend are presented. Comparing to regular diesel fuel, fuel blend with HVO showed reduced apparent heat release rate (AHRR) during premixed combustion phase at low inlet air temperature and low compression ratio conditions, comparing to regular diesel fuel. Premixed combustion phase AHRR of diesel-HVO blend increased above AHRR of regular diesel fuel at higher inlet air temperature and higher compression ratio conditions. Diffusion controlled combustion phase AHRR of diesel-HVO blend increased above AHRR of regular diesel fuel at higher inlet air temperature, higher compression ratio conditions and supercharged air supply.Kirje Determination of mechanical properties of poppy waste pellets(2017) Kažimírová, V.; Kubík, Ľ; Chrastina, J.; Giertl, T.The work deals with evaluation of mechanical properties three types of pellet samples produced fro m poppy waste. The pellets were submitted to compressive loading. The compressive loading curves of dependencies of force on strain and force on time were realised. Certain mechanical parameters were determined, namely the diameter of the sample, length of the sample, force at 10% of strain, force in the first maximum of the force – strain curve, strain in the first maximum of the force – strain curve, modulus of elasticity, force in the inflex point of the force – time and force – strain curves and strain and stress in the inflex point of the force – time and force – strain curves. The work lists correlations of mechanical parameters of individual pellet types. The pellet type 1 made only of ground poppy head mass has shown the best results, the pellet type 3 consisting of ground poppy heads after harvest and waste from sieving of poppy seeds in mass proportion 1 : 1 has shown the worst results.Kirje Occupational diseases among agricultural workers in the Russian Federation: review of statistical data(2017) Mazitova, N.; Simonova, N.; Adeninskaya, E.; Trofimova, M.The aim of the study is to analyze the epidemiological situation of occupational diseases among agricultural workers in Russia. To address this task, the analysis of occupational diseases incidence was carried out. Conclusions.For the last decades the proportion of rural working population in Russia is gradually decreasing, but remains noticeably higher than in other industrialized countries. There is a huge difference between entities of the Russian Federation in occupational illnesses incidence rates among agriculture workers, which can be explained by: (a) the distinction of health care availability; (b) lack of occupational physicians in rural areas; (c) the high level of the incidence of non-communicable diseases, which can disguise occupational illnesses among agricultural workers. The improvement of the health care regulatory legal framework, development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines, quality improvement in postgraduate education of medical doctors in rural areas, increasing in the number of occupational health physicians in rural areas, and implementation of long-term health promotion programs are necessary in order to maintain the heath of agricultural workers in the Russian Federation. This list of priority measures is not sufficient, as it highlights only the main issues in the field of occupational health.Kirje Fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam) grass potential as a forage and bioenergy crop(2017) Meripõld, Heli; Tamm, Uno; Tamm, Sirje; Võsa, Taavi; Edesi, LiinaFodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) is a forage legume that has been grown in Estonia for almost forty five years. Pure galega is known to be persistent, high-yielding crop and rich in nutrients, in particular crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). Galega is usually grown in a mixture with grass in order to optimize its nutrient concentration, increase dry matter (DM) yield and improve fermentation properties. The trial plots were established on a typical soddy-calcareous soil. There are certain grass species suitable for the mixture. In this study galega mixtures with reed canary grass cv. ‘Marathon’, timothy cv. ‘Tika’, red fescue cv. ‘Kauni’ and festulolium cv. ‘Hykor’ were under investigation in three successive years (2013–2015). In order to increase competitiveness of grasses and the yield of the first cut, two N fertilization levels were used: N0 and N50 kg ha-1 . Two cuts were carried out during the growing season in all three years. The total dry matter yield varied from 9.1 to 12.8 t ha-1 . The NDF concentration in the DM varied from 495−559 g kg-1 . Both DM-yield and NDF were dependent on the year, mixture, cutting time and fertilization. Nitrogen fertilization (N50 kg ha-1 ) favoured grass growth and reduced the role of galega in the sward.Kirje Results of fifteen-year monitoring of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) production in selected farm businesses of the Czech Republic from the viewpoint of technological and economic parameters(2017) Šařec, O.; Šařec, P.The paper presents field trials focused on technological and economic comparison of conventional tillage (CT) and reduced tillage (RT) technologies of soil cultivation and drilling of winter oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.). During fifteen production years starting in 2001/02, trials were set up in 520 fields of around 40 farm businesses located in all of the districts of the Czech Republic. With respect to average seed yields, no significant differences were proved with respect to tillage systems, to the application of organic fertilizers and to the fertilization during sowing. Irregular distribution of trial fields into the individual production areas influenced the outcomes thou. Concerning winter rape seed yields, costs per production unit, and earnings per hectare, the most suitable production area proved still to be the potatoes one, but particularly over the recent period also beet production area. The corn production area produced, despite some exceptions, worst results. Over the fifteen-year time, the average oilseed rape yield of all 520 monitored fields was 3.72 t ha–1 . Reduced tillage attained average yield of 3.73 t ha–1 , i.e. matched almost exactly the one of 3.70 t ha–1 attained by conventional tillage. Unit production costs realized by conventional tillage surpassed by 4.1% those gained by reduced tillage. Related earnings per hectare were on the other hand lower by 17.0%. With respect to fuel and labour consumption, reduced tillage brought significant savings reaching in average 20.2%, respectively 24.0%. In terms of yields, reduced tillage with deeper soil loosening proved repeatedly favourable results.Kirje Effect of slurry lagoon redesign on reduction of ammonia emission during livestock manure storage(2017) Aboltins, A.; Priekulis, J.; Aboltina, B.; Melece, L.In accordance with the international and EU aims to reduce emissions of ammonia and other air pollution substances farm manure management, including its storage, especially for the animal breeding sector, is one of the most essential stages. One of the preventing steps is covering of the slurry lagoons. The most effective – hard covering can be provided only after the lagoon is constructed. The aim of the research: to develop methodology for calculations of emission reducing lagoon design volume and surface area. In the result of the theoretical research the possibilities of reducing the reflection surfaces at the same capacity of the lagoon have been discovered, as well as the changes of the reflection surface area, if instead of one lagoon several lagoons with less volume are installed and sequential filling of these lagoons is ensured. The article presents the calculation algorithms obtained during the research and recommendations for construction of low emission lagoons.Kirje Influence of tied ridging technology on the rate of surface runoff and erosion in potato cultivation(2017) Vejchar, D.; Stehlik, M.; Mayer, V.Water management and securing good condition of soil is becoming an important factor in agriculture one of the reasons being adaptation to the increasingly frequent extremes in weather. Tied ridging technology enables to reduce significantly the loss of water and soil from arable land. The effect of a tied ridger mounted on 2-row planter and effect of 6-row tied ridger on basin renewal was tested in potato cultivation on plots of land with length of 10 m. During entire season lasting 135 days the technology helped achieve 78% of efficiency in reduction of surface water runoff and 88% of efficiency in case of soil loss. In the case of furrows with only tied ridging the water retained represented additional 15% of total water from rainfall (37.5 mm of 250 mm) over untreated furrows. In the case of basins formed in furrows with wheel trails the water retained represented 15% of total water from rainfalls in the trail. This water retained on the land would have otherwise flown off and would not have been utilized without this technology. The renewal of dams after 1/3 of the season increased significantly the efficiency of this technology. The technology of tied ridging significantly contributes to sustainable agriculture management.Kirje Quality evaluation of local apple varieties: physicochemical and antioxidant proprieties at harvest and after cold storage(2017) Bartolini, S.; Ducci, E.A wide apple germplasm is present in Italy in which numerous local genotypes of specific cultivation environment have to be still evaluated for fruit quality attributes. This is the case of a long-established fruit area located in central Italy (Tuscany) where several ancient apple varieties survive with the perspective to be re-introduced for their excellent quality. The objective of this work was to determine over a 2-year period the physicochemical traits, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and polyphenols (TP) content of three old local apple varieties: ‘Paganina’, ‘Paradisa’ and ‘Rosa’. These characteristics were also assessed after 90 and 150 days at 4 °C cold storage, in normal atmosphere refrigerated cellars. For comparison purpose, the commercial apple cultivar ‘Fuji’ was considered. In general, the old varieties showed valuable quality properties, particularly due to a greater antioxidant power of fruits, although a variability between the two crop seasons, characterized by different weather conditions, was observed. After a dry summer, ‘Rosa’ showed very high TAC and TP values (2-fold higher than other varieties) that, after longperiods of cold storage, markedly decreased. These losses were not so noticeable in the others, suggesting a tendency to maintain a major stability during storage. These findings could meet the preference of demanding consumers for healthier foods who appreciate fresh fruits with protective properties by free radicals scavenging activity. Moreover, farmers who are focused on nearby and niche markets could have interesting in these local varieties to promote their valorization.Kirje Prevention the impact of chemicals on the health of workers in fibreglass industry(2017) Urbane, V.; Vilcane, I.; Tint, Piia; Ievins, J.; Jemeljanovs, V.; Birgere, L.Most of the chemicals make our everyday life easier and safer. However, there are a lot of new emerging risks connected with chemicals causing damage to people’s health and environment. The results of the investigation: the chemical exposure index (EI) is between 0.16 to 25.98 (the last determined by the mould spray-up, outside of the protective masks). The air pollution index determined was between 16 to 760%. The ventilation rates for the remove of the volatiles from the workplace air are settled, the possibilities for substitution of hazardous chemicals to less hazardous are presented. When the concentration of a volatile is measured under the protective mask, which has a new filter, the tested substance concentration is lower that under the mask with an old filter, although the differences between these two were rather small. When the volatiles were measured under the protective mask, the concentrations of tested substances met the requirements.Kirje Theoretical research into the stability of motion of the ploughing tractor-implement unit operating on the ‘push-pull’ principle(2017) Bulgakov, V.; Adamchuk, V.; Nadykto, V.; Kistechok, O.; Olt, Jüri; Estonian University of Life Sciences. Institute of TechnologyThe reduction of power consumption in the ploughing operations can be achieved by way of improving the grip properties of the implement-carrying tractors, which is facilitated by setting up ploughing units for operation on the ‘push-pull’ principle. The aim of the current research is to substantiate the set-up and parameters of the ploughing unit with a front-mounted plough basing on the theoretical investigation of the stability of its motion in the horizontal plane. The methods of research include obtaining the amplitude- and phase-frequency response characteristics of the dynamic system in order to analyse the stability of its motion under the action of external statistically random perturbations. Also, the methods of software development and PC-based numerical computation are applied. The results of the study prove that the increase of the ploughing unit’s travel speed results in the considerable rise of the gain of the amplitude of the tractor’s heading angle oscillation in response to the oscillation of the angular displacement of the front-mounted plough in the horizontal plane. The phase-frequency response displays the same behaviour, changing substantially together with the unit’s travel speed. Raising the coefficient of resistance to tyre slip of the tractor’s rear wheels from 100 to 130 kPa and the front wheels from 140 to 175 kPa results in a minor decrease of the amplitude of oscillation of the tractor’s heading angle φ. The ploughing unit has the best response to the input effect, i.e. the oscillation of the front-mounted plough’s angular displacement βp, when it operates using the 1+5 combination. The increase of the number of front-mounted plough bodies from 1 to 3 results in the substantial growth of the tractor’s heading angle oscillation amplitude. Taking into account the way, in which the ploughing unit as a dynamic system responds to the input perturbance, the increase of its travel speed can be restricted not by the condition of its motion stability, but solely by the agrotechnical requirements applied to such a process operation as ploughing. The ploughing unit’s motion stability substantially improves in case of higher air pressure in the tyres on the tractor’s front and rear wheels. This effect is especially pronounced in the perturbance oscillation frequency range (0...1.5 s –1 ) that covers the main part of its dispersion.Kirje Juvenile growth and frost damages of poplar clone OP42 in Latvia(2017) Sēnhofa, S.; Neimane, U.; Grava, A.; Sisenis, L.; Lazdina, D.; Jansons, A.Short rotation plantations in the northern Europe are commonly established using poplar clone OP42 (Populus maximowiczii Henry × P. trichocarpa Torr. and Gray). We assessed its growth and suitability to the climate in central part of Latvia at juvenile age. Trees that had formed single stem were significantly higher (121 ± 2.5 cm), thicker (7.1 ± 0.48 mm) and had longer branches (32 ± 1.5 cm) than trees that had formed multiple stems. In beginning of the second growing season all trees had died stems and 19.6% of them formed new shoots from the ground level. The sprouting trees had random spatial distribution in the field. Regardless of the number of stems, the sprouting trees were significantly lower (110 ± 3.9 cm) than the dead trees (119 ± 2.0 cm). During the repeated assessment about one month later, proportion of the sprouting trees increased up to 44%, but the detected relations between measured traits of sprouting and dead trees remained. Clone OP42 had serious frost induced damages also in autumn phenology experiment (96% trees with severely damaged leaves). Our results suggest that frost prone sites are not suitable for establishment of plantations of OP42 clone.Kirje Study of clonal variation of 'Bidaneh Ghermez' grapevine cultivar in Iran(2017) Ataei, R.; Gholamhoseini, M.; Nejatian, M. A.; Golmohammadi, M.Grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) is a well - known plant including different cultivars and clones. In spite of the extensive works at the cultivar level, identification and determination of clonal genetic variation has remained as a challenge. To assess the genetic variation between clones of grapevine cv. 'Bidaneh Ghermez', 20 selected clones were analyzed for cluster weight (CW), cluster length (CL), cluster width (CWI), berry weight (BW), berry length (BL), berry width (BWI) and total soluble solids (TSS) in randomized complete block design with three replications. Analysis of variance reveale d considerable genetic variation for all measured traits (except cluster width) among clones. Cluster analysis, discriminant function analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) showed same results and all clones assigned in 2 groups. First group was including 9 clones and second group was including 11 clones. Overall, our results indicated C7, C10, C12 and C14 clones were best clones and have potential to introduce promising clones for stablishing new vineyard with high yield.Kirje Production and analysis of non-traditional beer supplemented with sea buckthorn(2017) Adadi, P.; Kovaleva, E.G.; Glukhareva, T.V.; Shatunova, S.A.; Petrov, A.S.In recent years, there has been a growing demand for non-traditional beer (craft) with different flavours hence the main aim of this research is to produce beer with sea buckthorns (SBT). Brewing software BeerSmith was used to design the Kölch beer. After one month of primary fermentation, SBT were sanitised and crashed before adding into the green beer. Carbonation was done using keg with 1.8 bar of carbon dioxide. Physicochemical properties, microbial load and sensory evaluation of Kölch fruit beer (KFB) were determined. All the physiochemical parameters measured were significantly (P < 0.05) influenced by the fermentation time. The pH dropped from 5.8 ± 0.1 to 3.9 ± 0.1 toward the end of the fermentation. There was no microbial growth when KFB was inoculated in the media. °Brix likewise decreases from 13.3 ± 0.43 to 3.86 ± 0.25. There was a change in the colour of the wort throughout the fermentation from 11.2 ± 0.44 to 32.5 ± 0.56 EBC. A decrease from 1.48 ± 0.02 to 0.86 ± 0.02 mg maltose per 100 ml in the reducing sugar was observed during the entire period of fermentation. A total of 32 volatile compounds were identified. All assessed sensory variables of KFB were significantly different (P < 0.05) and preferred by the panellists, however, foaminess and clarity of KFB should have to be improved. KFB showed higher DPPH radical scavenging activity as compared to other types of beer examined due to biologically active substances contributed by SBT.Kirje Effects of Irrigation water salinity on evapotranspiration and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. Matador) plant parameters in Greenhouse Indoor and Outdoor Conditions(2017) Ünlükara, A.; Yurtyeri, T.; Cemek, B.Response of spinach to irrigation water salinity under greenhouse indoor and outdoor conditions was investigated in this study to reveal different weather conditions on salinity tolerance of the plant. For this purpose, saline waters at six different salinities (0.65, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 7.0 dS m-1 ) were applied to spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. Matador) grown in pots. Soil salinity increased linearly with increasing salinity of irrigation water. Threshold salinity is 2.35 dS m-1 and yield lost slope after this threshold is 3.51% for indoor and threshold salinity is 2.83 dS m-1 and yield lost slope is 3.3% for outdoor. Salinity harmful effect on spinach yield is higher for indoor conditions than for outdoor conditions because of higher indoor temperatures. These results apparently showed that spinach salinity response could change with changing weather conditions especially for temperature. Yield response factors (ky), which is the ratio of relative evapotranspiration decrease to relative yield decrease, were close in the cases of irrigation water salinity in greenhouse outdoor and indoor (ky = 2.4 and 2.1), respectively. Considerable water consumption decreases because of salinity were determined. Every 1 dS m-1 increment in soil salinity caused about 1.35% water consumption decrease for spinach. Therefore, depressing effect of salinity on water consumption should be considered in irrigation and salinity management to prevent excess saline water application and to protect environment.Kirje Critical velocity of solid mineral fertilizers in a vertical upward airstream and repose angle(2017) Hůla, J.; Kroulík, M.; Honzík, I.Critical velocity of mineral fertilizers in airstream is important not only at the application of fertilizers by spreaders but also at combine of fertilizing and sowing. The knowledge of angles of repose is important to design hoppers on spreaders for solid mineral fertilizers. Critical velocities for six solid mineral fertilizers were measured in the vertical aspiration duct of a laboratory sorting machine. Variation curves were constructed for particular fertilizers and the mean critical velocity of fertilizers (velocity of uplift) was computed. The mean critical velocity of fertilizers was between 8.53 and 12.43 m s -1 . The lowest critical velocity was found out in the fertilizer UREA 46%, the highest in the fertilizer LAV. Statistical significance of differences in the critical velocity of fertilizers was assessed. Angles of repose of eight solid mineral fertilizers were also measured and statistical significance of differences was evaluated. The highest values of repose angle were determined for potassium salt and ammonium sulfate (35.9° respectively 34.9°), the lowest values for UREA and LAV (28.7° respectively 29.6°). The obtained results extend information applicable to an assessment of parameters of the operation quality of spreaders during mineral fertilizer application.Kirje Livestock manure management practices in rural households in Tapanuli Utara regency of North Sumatra(2017) Roubík, H.; Mazancová, J.; Situmeang, R.C.; Brunerová, A.; Simatupang, T.M.Livestock manure management is a big challenge for low income economies including the region of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Currently, low percentages of manure managed cause illegal disposals, and negative impacts on public health and environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the current trends among livestock manure management practices in rural households and to recognize potential problems with it. The questionnaire survey using randomly selected households (n = 196) was administered in the province of North Sumatra, Tapanuli Utara regency, from July to August 2014; then followed by several field visits from August to September 2016. Data obtained in the survey were analysed with descriptive statistics and cross tabulation. Majority (81%) of rural households handle manure in the process of either composting (75%) or sun-drying (6%). Remaining 6% of the respondents does not handle manure at all. Manure could represent valuable energy and plant nutrition resource, if used appropriately. However, if not handled at all or handled inappropriately, it can lead to the environmental problems. Our results revealed that current ways of stabling of livestock are inappropriate from the environmental perspective. The stabling has got only dusty earthen floor, which makes difficult for farmers wash out the excrements and pollution. Hence, there is a need to improve manure management practice to eliminate potential threats as current practices do not protect either humans, animals or environment against the risk of contamination with potential zoonotic pathogens.Kirje The advantage of Decision Support System for managing spring barley disease in Estonia(2017) Sooväli, Pille; Koppel, Mati; Lauringson, Enn; Talgre, LiinaA Decision Support System (DSS) I - Taimekaitse focusing on use of timely applied and reduced fungicide rates in control of cereal diseases has been tested in field trials since 2003 . We compared the conventional treatment and the DSS - based spray practices in 18 field trials in five agricultural locations over 7 - year period. Efficacy of the control of net blotch caused by Pyrenophora teres (Drechsler, am Drechlera teres Sacc. Shoem), the main fungal disease in spring barley has been tested to determine the economic advantage of DSS use. Compared with the conventional spray practices, the advantage I - Taimekaitse resulted in reduction of application doses by 30 to 60% of the registered rate. According to I - Taimekaitse , the fungicides were applied mainly between heading and flowering growth stages (GS 55 – 65), whereas traditional routine spraying is commonly made at booting (GS 37 – 49) . The experiment clarifies the cost - benefit of using DSS - based approach in barley disease management with average yield increase above the control in 12.8% and above the conventional treatment in 14.1%. I - Taimekaitse gave competitive disease control and average yield output reduction compared with conventional practice by 9%. In general the Treatment Frequency Index applied in conventional treatment was 0.65 and in DSS 0.41. Although the cost of treatment expense in DSS was 20% less compared with conv entional practice, the performance of conventional used spray practices was outstanding in economic return.Kirje Research on solid biofuels from cotton waste biomass – alternative for Tajikistan’s energy sector development(2017) Akhmedov, S.; Ivanova, T.; Krepl, V.; Muntean, A.An increasing awareness of the negative environmental cost associated with the combustion of fossil fuels and concerns over the geopolitical instability of the main oil producing regions is driving the development of renewable energy sources and biofuels. Use of solid biofuels made of different types of biomass became perspective alternative to conventional fuels in many countries. Such positive indicators as low cost of the final product that meets the quality of standards, not capital intensive production, possibility of producing briquettes/pellets from almost any agricultural waste or combination of raw materials are undoubted advantages of biomass based fuels. The main challenges for Tajikistan’s energy sector, which is depended on energy imports, are: to increase energy supply through better exploitation of hydropower and other renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and primary biofuels. Within the agricultural sector of Tajikistan, which is highly agrarian country, cotton accounts for 60% of agricultural output. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of Tajikistan 199,400 hectares of lands have been allocated to cotton cultivation in the year of 2014. Plenty of unused cotton residual biomass could be effectively utilized for winter heating in rural areas. The main focus of the research was to investigate and assess physical, chemical and mechanical properties of pellets and briquettes produced form cotton waste biomass.Kirje Some factors affecting the efficiency of potato production, under Al–Ghab plain conditions, Syrian Arab Republic(2017) Prochazka, P.; Murjan, A.; Hönig, V.; Pernica, K.Data were collected by a field survey of 300 farmers from Al–Ghab region (Syria) during 2014–2015. The non–parametric Data Envelopment was used in analyzing the Technical efficiency. The relationship between farm size and production efficiency was considered. Technical efficiency amounted about 53% and most of farms are operating at low level of technical efficiency. The relationship between farm size and productivity efficiency is Non– linear, it decreases from small to medium farm size and then increases as the size increase. Large farms have the higher net farm income per thousand square metersand are the most efficient technically followed by small and medium farm size. To disclose that factors causing the technical efficiency, Two–limit Tobit Regression Model was used. The calculated results showed that, Household Size, Occupation, Farm Size, Experience in Farming, Seed Type and Membership are factors that cause the technical inefficiency potato farming at Al–Ghab region. Therefore, the Syrian Planning Board and Decision Makers should take this results into account when they draw their plans to improve farmer's skills by allocating more investment in farm research and extension programmers.Kirje Fair Trade and social responsibility – whose duty? Estonian consumers’ attitudes and beliefs(2017) Riivits-Arkonsuo, Iivi; Ojasoo, Merle; Leppiman, Anu; Mänd, KristinaThis article investigates how the Estonian consumers endorse the idea of Fair Trade (FT) and understand the principles of social responsibility. The article is based on a study on Fair Trade and social responsibility conducted in 2014. The study examined the consumers’ attitudes and beliefs associated with FT and local Estonian agricultural production. The article aims to compare if there are any difference in the beliefs and attitudes among the Estonian consumers towards supporting local farmers and producers versus supporting the FT ideas which benefit the farmers and producers from the Global South. The authors fully recognise that there is no competition among these two groups per se, but the perception exists in the minds of the consumers. The respondents of the nation-wide representative sample (n = 1,007) evaluated the responsibility of different economic agents such as public sector, retailers, suppliers, producers, and consumers. Most of the respondents regarded the principle of social responsibility as giving the priority to local Estonian agricultural production. The Estonian consumers tend to be sceptical about the benefits of FT or the workers and farmers from the developing countries. The awareness and knowledge about FT ideas is not high.
