Born on 13 May 1937 in Garliava, Kaunas region.

1956 - finished the Horticultural Technical School.

1961 - graduated from the Lithuanian Academy of Agriculture as an agronomist.

Till 1965 was Director of the Experimental Farm of Vytėnai Horticultural Station, later worked as Director of Sameliškės Experimental Station and the Institute of Agriculture of Vėžaičiai Branch.

Doctor of Agriculture, merited agronomist of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (1978), laureate of the State prize of the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic (1979).

1989 - upon the recommendation of the Farmers' Reform Movement and the Farmers' Council was appointed Minister of Agriculture of the last Soviet Government. After the restoration of the independence of Lithuania, Vytautas Petras Knašys became Minister of the First Government of Independent Lithuania. Worked for the newspaper "Valstiečių laikraštis" ('Farmers' Newspaper').

1996 - Minister of Agriculture and Forestry of the eighth Government.

1998 - following the elections of the President of the Republic of Lithuania, refused to take part in the activity of the Cabinet of Ministers.

1961 - member of the CPSU, during the succession of the Lithuanian Communist Party form the CPSU was elected member of the Central Committee of the Lithuanian Communist Party.

1990 - withdrew from the Party.

Since 1996 - member of the Homeland Union (Lithuanian Conservatives).

Speaks English and Russian languages.

Married. Wife Dalia is a pharmacist. The family has three children.

Member of the Seimas Delegation to the Interparliamentary Union.