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Aim of the paper: in order to create the new most appropriate model of rural development in Lithuania, it is necessary to analyse specific situation, created under the influence of the last century historical events and its long-term consequences. Lithuania, as well as other Baltic states, has created the agrarian sector under the very complicated economical, social, and cultural circumstances. Each Baltic state (Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia) had some specific features of rural development, which were formed during the last century. The land reform carried out during the first period of independence in the first half of the twentieth century (1918-1940) led to the formation of farmer's social stratum, which comprised the majority of freshly created middle class in Lithuania. Growing family farms became as the main form of management in agrarian sector. But occupation and annexation of Lithuania interrupted the fast economic growth. Expropriation and enforced collectivisation of agricultural land completely destroyed farmers as a social class, and rural inhabitants became as state farmhands. After the restoration of Lithuania's independence in 1990, the restitution of private land property was started. But implementation of democratic reforms became a very complicated process. Lithuania is still looking for optimal decisions of modern rural development. Concept of the new role of countryside is presented in the paper.
