The Nordic Joint Committee for Agricultural and Food Research

New specialist courses in Julia and R to secure the next generation of data scientists

To meet the growing demand for cutting-edge expertise, the Nordic, NKJ co-funded network NADAS has developed a brand-new course curriculum for data scientists. Through international training in the scientific programming languages Julia and R, the goal is to train the next generation of experts for both academia and industry. The need for skilled agricultural data scientists is growing rapidly. To tackle this challenge, the NADAS network (Nordic across-domain network of agricultural data scientists) has developed and successfully organized two tailored specialist courses, featuring teachers and participants from multiple countries: “Scientific computing using Julia language” – a deep dive into one […]

New Nordic initiative aims to strengthen knowledge of reindeer husbandry’s role in food security

The Nordic Reindeer Committee has launched an initiative to increase knowledge about the role of reindeer husbandry in the Nordic-Arctic food system and its importance for food security. Svensk text längre ner As part of this initiative, the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) has been tasked with producing a report on the significance of reindeer husbandry for preparedness in Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The report will analyze value chains, trade flows, and production capacity for reindeer products, as well as highlight at what level and to what extent reindeer husbandry already contributes to preparedness efforts in the three countries. A […]

Mapping of threats will make currant and gooseberry production sustainable and profitable

Pests and diseases can significantly reduce currant and gooseberry yield. Mapping of the threats will guide future research efforts. A network of researchers and advisors in the seven Nordic and Baltic countries are creating a summary of the present pest, disease and mitigation situation to guide future research efforts in currants and gooseberries (Ribes spp.) production. – There are many reasons to try to maintain the cultivation of Ribes berries in all countries where it is possible. They are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and there are not many crops with these properties that can be cultivated so far […]

Growing more Food(ies): Bridging the Gap

Background This project builds on the earlier project “Growing Food(ies)”, which documented structural challenges in the relationship between young people, agricultural education and the agri-food sector in the Nordic region. The analysis identified a gap between: curriculum content and teaching methods, competence needs in the sector, particularly among SMEs, and youth expectations regarding work and career paths. The next step is a targeted dialogue with the key players, aimed at clarifying where adjustments in practice may strengthen recruitment and engagement. Activities The following activities will be executed in 2026: Definition of focus areas Preparatory conversations are conducted with representatives from […]

RegioFoods: Strengthening the Resilience of Food Systems in the Nordic and Baltic Regions

An exciting new project, RegioFoods, has recently launched with the aim of contributing to data collection and the development of measurement methods to map and assess the long-term resilience of regional food systems in the Nordic and Baltic countries. The project, coordinated by Lund University in collaboration with partners from Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, Estonia, and Lithuania, will over 36 months map, analyze, and develop strategies for seven regional food systems. Nordic Agri Research (NKJ) is also participating. – The transnational observatory planned by the project will be an important complement to our previous work on Nordic cooperation in […]

A Nordic cooperating body within agricultural and food research

The Nordic Joint Committee for Agricultural and Food Research (NKJ) is a cooperating body to, and financed by, The Nordic Council of Ministers. The primary objective of NKJ is to strengthen research and innovation systems in the agriculture and food sector in the Nordic countries. A continuous production and supply of knowledge from research is important to realize the sectors opportunities and potential in the future. This will also strengthen the Nordic region’s position as a pioneer in agricultural and food research in accordance with the objectives of the EU’s 2020 strategy.

NKJ operates within four areas:

Policy advise and analysis
Creating meeting places
Coordination
Funding

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The Nordic Joint Committee for Agricultural and Food Research

Welcome to NKJ!

A Nordic cooperating body within agricultural and food research

NKJ operates within four areas:

News

New specialist courses in Julia and R to secure the next generation of data scientists

New Nordic initiative aims to strengthen knowledge of reindeer husbandry’s role in food security

Nordic-Baltic database: A New Tool for Evidence-Based Policy and Cross-Country Collaboration