Grain legumes are essential for building a resilient, diverse, environmental-friendly, and protein-secure Nordic agriculture. Yet today they represent only a small share of Nordic farmland, and their production is constrained by shared challenges such as short growing season, emerging pests and diseases, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. At the same time, demand for plant-based protein is rising, and the need to reduce dependence on imported soybean products has become increasingly urgent. These pressures highlight the importance of coordinated Nordic collaboration to strengthen breeding, agronomy, and food innovation for grain legume crops. 

NordLegumeNet aims to create a community of practice where researchers, breeders, and stakeholders work together to advance grain legume breeding, genetics, and production systems across the region. The network will enhance information sharing, map ongoing national activities, identify common research gaps, and co-develop a shared Nordic research agenda. Through joint learning and coordinated planning, the network will support the development of climate-adapted, resource-efficient grain legume cultivars and cropping systems tailored to Nordic growing conditions. 

Core activities include quarterly online meetings, webinars, and a Nordic workshop in Helsinki in 2027 bringing together researchers, breeders, and value-chain actors. PhD students and early-career researchers will be actively integrated into all activities to strengthen Nordic capacity for future research and innovation. 

Healthy, diverse, and resilient cropping systems are essential to Nordic food security, environmental sustainability, and rural livelihoods. NordLegumeNet will strengthen the region’s ability to increase plant‑based protein production, reduce reliance on imported feed, and support evidence‑based policy development for sustainable agriculture. 

 

The network consists of, and welcomes, researchers and stakeholders from across the Nordic region. Current members include:

 

• Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) 

• University of Helsinki 

• Boreal Plant Breeding Ltd 

 

• Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) 

• Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO) 

 

• Nordic Genetic Resource Center (NordGen) 

• Stockholm University 

• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)

 

• Sejet Plant Breeding

 

• Agricultural University of Iceland (LBHI)