Engineering and economic calculations for assessing land consolidation

Land consolidation is a new concept in Latvia, although in other countries of the world it has been known since the end of the 18th century. Land consolidation is implemented to improve the spatial structure of land holdings and agricultural infrastructure and to rationally use natural resources. It is particularly significant in agriculture when establishing farms of optimal size and territorial location. Land fragmentation hinders not only land management but also increases the transport cost. In the present research, land consolidation is viewed as an excellent instrument to enhance the spatial structure of agricultural holdings, reduce land fragmentation and increase the area size of agricultural holdings by fostering efficient use of land in accordance with the territorial development plan determining land uses in the future. The case of land consolidation and the calculation of the consolidation efficiency are based on Zemgale region Vircava parish of Jelgava municipality, as a benchmark for the region most suited for agricultural production in Latvia. Determining the economic gains from land consolidation may be based on the developed model for calculating the economic indicators of farms.