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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 of the fastest-growing languages for advanced computing.
  • “Statistical methods in animal breeding” – with a specific focus on Genomic Selection and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS).

The training centered on fundamental methods and practical applications using the widely used scientific programming languages R and Julia. To keep the Nordic data community at the forefront and contribute further to talent development, the goal is to organize these developed courses repeatedly, with their contents continuously adjusted according to up-to-date developments in the area.

Behind this educational initiative is NADAS, which has built a large Nordic, across-domain network of agricultural data scientists working in academia and industry.

The courses and the network respond to immense interest, not only from researchers, but from the business sector. The interest has been so great that individuals from the industry have approached the network on their own initiative to join. By acting as a knowledge exchange platform through dedicated sessions targeting industry needs, the initiative now serves as a crucial bridge for communication, research, and cooperation across the Nordic countries.

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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 central goal is also to identify potential lessons between the countries and provide recommendations for how the role of reindeer husbandry in Nordic food security can be developed and strengthened. The report is expected to be completed by November 2026.

The initiative also includes a platform for dialogue among Finnish, Norwegian, and Swedish key stakeholders in both preparedness and reindeer husbandry, at both administrative and practical levels. The first dialogue meeting was held on April 21. A second meeting is planned after the report is completed, with the aim of discussing identified collaboration opportunities and jointly outlining the way forward. Overall, the initiative is expected to strengthen Nordic cooperation and contribute to the development of reindeer husbandry in the Nordic region.

The Nordic Reindeer Committee

The Nordic Reindeer Committee is based on an agreement between the responsible ministries and departments in Finland, Norway, and Sweden that handle reindeer husbandry issues. The committee consists of one representative from each country.

Contacts

For questions about the initiative and the Nordic Reindeer Committee:
Sofie Andersson, Project Coordinator at the Nordic Committee for Agricultural and Food Research (NKJ)

For questions about the report:
Lars Johan Rustad, Project Manager at NIBIO

Jo Jorem Aarseth, Research Director, NIBIO

 
 

 

Swedish text
Nytt nordiskt initiativ ska stärka rennäringens roll i livsmedelssäkerheten

Nytt nordiskt initiativ ska stärka kunskapen om rennäringens roll i livsmedelsberedskapen

 

Den nordiska renkommittén har inlett ett initiativ för att öka kunskapen om rennäringens roll i det nordisk-arktiska livsmedelssystemet och dess betydelse för livsmedelsberedskapen.

Som en del av initiativet har det norska forskningsinstitutet NIBIO (Norsk institutt for bioøkonomi) fått i uppdrag att ta fram en rapport om rennäringens betydelse för beredskapen i Finland, Norge och Sverige. Rapporten ska analysera värdekedjor, handelsflöden och produktionskapacitet för renprodukter samt belysa på vilken nivå och i vilken omfattning rennäringen redan i dag bidrar till beredskapsarbetet i de tre länderna.

Ett centralt mål är också att identifiera möjliga lärdomar mellan länderna och lämna rekommendationer för hur rennäringens roll i Nordens livsmedelsberedskap kan utvecklas och stärkas. Rapporten väntas vara färdig i november 2026.

Initiativet omfattar även en plattform för dialog mellan finska, norska och svenska nyckelaktörer inom både beredskap och rennäring, både på förvaltningsnivå och på praktisk nivå. Ett första dialogmöte hölls den 21 april. Ett andra möte planeras efter att rapporten har färdigställts, med syfte att diskutera identifierade samarbetsmöjligheter och gemensamt peka ut vägar framåt.

Sammantaget förväntas initiativet stärka det nordiska samarbetet och bidra till utvecklingen av renskötseln i Norden.

 

Fakta
Den nordiska renkommittén bygger på ett avtal mellan ansvariga ministerier och departement i Finland, Norge och Sverige med ansvar för rennäringsfrågor. Kommittén består av en representant från respektive land.

 

Kontakter
För frågor om initiativet och nordiska renkommittén:
Sofie Andersson, projektkoordinator på Nordisk Kommitté för Jordbruks- och matforskning (NKJ) 

För frågor om rapporten:
Lars Johan Rustad, projektledare på NIBIO

Jo Jorem Aarseth, Forskningschef, NIBIO

28th NJF congress: Securing food supply in Nordic-Baltic region for the future

NJF warmly invites you to join the join the 28th congress of the Nordic Association of Agricultural Sciencelink opens in new page taking place at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu, Estonia.

The general aim of the congress is to bring together researchers, advisors, students and company representatives to present and discuss actual aspects of agriculture in the Nordic-Baltic region.

The 28th NJF congress is a multidisciplinary conference. The main focus is on how to quarantee food supply and food security in conditions of changing climate, unstable economic situation and new policy directions. Besides the main focus area the organisers are looking for presentations for example about using agroecological means and technological innovations to keep yields stable and provide high quality healthy food and feed, as well social and economic aspects of agri-food sector.

Nordic Testbed Network, roadshow 2

Field Trial Data Collection and Plant Phenotyping

Join the Nordic Testbed Network Roadshow 2026 in Norway and explore how data are collected, managed and applied in modern field trials. Through presentations, site visits and dialogue with -experts, participants will gain first-hand insight into Norwegian research infrastructures, plant phenotyping environments and -practical approaches to field-based data collection.

Program

11 June 2026 (NIBIO)
• Arrival at Oslo Airport (OSL) before 11:30
• Bus transport from airport to the venue
• Lunch
• At 13:30 Welcome and introduction to NTN and the roadshow
• Presentations by hosts and organisers
• Visit to NIBIO facilities and field-related activities
• Professional discussions and networking
• Bus transport to Ås
• Joint dinner

12 June 2026 (NMBU)
• At 8:30 Morning programme at NMBU
• Presentations and technical visits
• Exchange of experiences and discussion
• Lunch
• Return transport to Oslo Airport. Arrival at the airport before 13:30

The roadshow offers participants an opportunity to:
• learn from Norwegian facilities and field trial environments
• explore methods and technologies for data collection and -phenotyping
• exchange experiences with researchers, testbeds and innovation actors from across the Nordic-Baltic region, and
• strengthen collaboration around digitalisation in agricultural -research and development.

The event is relevant for:
• researchers and students working with agriculture, field trials and plant phenotyping,
• testbed organisations and research infrastructures,
• technology providers developing sensing, monitoring and data solutions,
• advisors and innovation actors in the agri-food sector,
• public and private stakeholders interested in digitalisation in -agricultural research and production.

 

Practical information

Accommodation
Participants are expected to book and cover their own accommodation. A discounted booking option has been arranged with Thon Hotel Ski for participants in the roadshow.

Click to bookThon Hotel Ski | Thon Hotels

If the link above does not work, please use the booking code THC3018. Rooms are subject to availability, and we recommend booking as early as possible.

Transport
Participants are expected to arrange their own travel to and from Oslo.

Organised bus transport will be arranged as part of the programme. On Day 1, the bus will pick up participants at Oslo Airport and bring us all to the first venue at NIBIO. Participants should arrive at Oslo Airport no later than 11:30 on 11 June. After the programme at NIBIO, bus transport will be arranged to Ås/Ski. On Day 2, return transport will be arranged from NMBU to Oslo Airport, with expected arrival at the airport before 13:30 on 12 June.

It is also possible to arrange your own transport, for example if you travel by car or have other travel plans. If you arrange your own transport, please make sure to arrive at the relevant venues in time for the programme.

Place
NIBIO Apelsvoll Senter for Presisjonsjordbruk, Nylinna 226, 2849 Kapp, Norge

NMBU Universitetet for miljø- og biovitenskap, Elizabeth Stephansens v. 15, 1433 Ås, Norge

Please note
The number of participants is limited, places will be allocated on a ”first come, first served” basis.

Organisers
• Nordic-Baltic Plant Phenotyping Network (NB-PPN)
• Nordic Field Trial Network (NFTN)

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

A new Nordic-Baltic sustainable food systems database will support evidence-based policymaking and facilitate cross-country comparisons.

 

A Nordic-Baltic framework for sustainable food systems has brought together experts from eight Nordic and Baltic countries, and contributed to enhance knowledge sharing on food systems and has developed theoretical foundations for a novel database on Nordic-Baltic sustainable food systems (NB-SFSD).

The database’s aims are to provide a comprehensive and integrated platform for collecting, analyzing, and sharing data related to food system sustainability. By identifying key indicators and standardizing data collection methods, the database can support evidence-based policymaking and facilitate cross-country comparisons.

 

Network members, 13 people, in a group in front of Estonian business school entrance, on stone stairs.
The kick-off meeting of the network was held in Tallinn by Estonian Business School in April 2024. In the picture from up left: Mickey Gjerris, Gunnar Vittersø, Jarkko Niemi, Asmus Gamdrup Jensen, Cristián Alarcón Ferrari, Silvia Gaiani, Aleksandra Kekkonen, Niveditha Prabakaran, Elisabeth Skarðhamar Olsen, Katriina Heinola, Sabrina Kuraj, Johanna Bergman Lodin, and Iida Alasentie. Photo: private

Today’s Nordic-Baltic food systems are widely recognized as unsustainable, both from ecological and socioeconomic perspectives. Despite the region’s reputation for innovation and environmental awareness, multiple structural challenges continue to undermine the resilience and long-term viability of its food systems. These challenges are complex and interconnected. Nordic and Baltic countries are experiencing a paradoxical situation in which food poverty coexists with rising levels of overweight and obesity, where intensive agricultural practices have led to significant biodiversity loss and environmental degradation and where global disruptions can quickly destabilize supply chains.

In response to these multifaceted challenges, there is a clear and urgent need to establish sustainable food systems across the Nordic-Baltic region.
Building on insights gained from previous research initiatives, as for example the NKJ project The role of Nordic research in the transition to sustainable agro-marine food systems, the network has adopted a multidisciplinary approach which recognizes that no single discipline can address the complexity of food systems transformation and that collaboration across fields is essential.

Through a combination of research, collaboration, and communication, the network has laid out the groundwork for meaningful and lasting change.

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Roadshow 2, 2026: Field Trial Data Collection and Plant Phenotyping in Norway

Join the Nordic Testbed Network Roadshow 2026 in Norway and explore how data are collected, managed and applied in modern field trials. Through presentations, site visits and dialogue with experts, participants will gain first-hand insight into Norwegian research infrastructures, plant phenotyping environments and practical approaches to field-based data collection.

First page of the invitation to the event, in pink and green.Sign up here!

The event is free of charge!
Deadline: June 6

 

The roadshow offers participants an opportunity to:
• learn from Norwegian facilities and field trial environments
• explore methods and technologies for data collection and -phenotyping
• exchange experiences with researchers, testbeds and innovation actors from across the Nordic-Baltic region, and
• strengthen collaboration around digitalisation in agricultural -research and development.

The event is relevant for:
• researchers and students working with agriculture, field trials and plant phenotyping,
• testbed organisations and research infrastructures,
• technology providers developing sensing, monitoring and data solutions,
• advisors and innovation actors in the agri-food sector,
• public and private stakeholders interested in digitalisation in -agricultural research and production.

 

Program
11 June 2026 (NIBIO)
• Arrival at Oslo Airport (OSL) before 11:30
• Bus transport from airport to the venue
• Lunch
• At 13:30 Welcome and introduction to NTN and the roadshow
• Presentations by hosts and organisers
• Visit to NIBIO facilities and field-related activities
• Professional discussions and networking
• Bus transport to Ås
• Joint dinner

12 June 2026 (NMBU)
• At 8:30 Morning programme at NMBU
• Presentations and technical visits
• Exchange of experiences and discussion
• Lunch
• Return transport to Oslo Airport. Arrival at the airport before 13:30

Sign up here!

The event is free of charge!
Deadline: June 6

 

Practical information

Accommodation
Participants are expected to book and cover their own accommodation. A discounted booking option has been arranged with Thon Hotel Ski for participants in the roadshow.

Click to bookThon Hotel Ski | Thon Hotels

If the link above does not work, please use the booking code THC3018. Rooms are subject to availability, and we recommend booking as early as possible.

Transport
Participants are expected to arrange their own travel to and from Oslo.
Organised bus transport will be arranged as part of the programme. On Day 1, the bus will pick up participants at Oslo Airport and bring us all to the first venue at NIBIO. Participants should arrive at Oslo Airport no later than 11:30 on 11 June. After the programme at NIBIO, bus transport will be arranged to Ås/Ski. On Day 2, return transport will be arranged from NMBU to Oslo Airport, with expected arrival at the airport before 13:30 on 12 June.
It is also possible to arrange your own transport, for example if you travel by car or have other travel plans. If you arrange your own transport, please make sure to arrive at the relevant venues in time for the programme.

Place
• NIBIO Apelsvoll Senter for Presisjonsjordbruk, Nylinna 226, 2849 Kapp, Norge
• NMBU Universitetet for miljø- og biovitenskap, Elizabeth Stephansens v. 15, 1433 Ås, Norge

Please note
The number of participants is limited, places will be allocated on a ”first come, first served” basis.

More information

Contact:
Nicolai Fog Hansen
Danish Technological Institute
nfh@teknologisk.dk
+45 72201533

Organisers
• Nordic-Baltic Plant Phenotyping Network (NB-PPN)
• Nordic Field Trial Network (NFTN)
All catering during the event and transportation from/to the airport is sponsored by the Nordic Testbed Network

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Nordic Data Experts Join Forces for Climate-Resilient Agriculture

Climate change demands more resilient crops, which can withstand drought and emerging diseases. The Nordic-Baltic Plant Phenotyping Network (NBPPN) brings together researchers, data experts, and breeding partners to turn plant data into smarter, more resilient agriculture for the Nordic region.
 
 
Plant phenotyping is about understanding how plants actually perform, in the field and under stress. For example, which wheat varieties cope best with drought in Denmark? Which barley lines tolerate cold Nordic springs in Sweden? And how do oats perform under fluctuating light conditions in Finland? To answer questions like these, researchers measure plant growth, development, and stress responses using field trials, drones, and controlled environment facilities.
 
Across the Nordic and Baltic countries, there is large amounts of data generated from these experiments.
 
“The challenge is not collecting data anymore, but organizing it properly, sharing it, and making sure it can be reused. When data are stored in different formats or without proper documentation, they are difficult to combine and learn from”, writes the Nordic-Baltic Plant Phenotyping Network (NBPPN).
 
Therefore, the NBPPN brings together researchers and infrastructures across the region to address this issue. Through the annual symposium, the network create a platform where scientists, breeders, and funding bodies meet, present results, and start new collaborations. The discussions range from practical field phenotyping to digital tools and breeding strategies, always with a focus on improving crops for Nordic conditions.
 
In addition to the symposium, the network organise hands-on workshops where participants work directly with real plant data from field trials and controlled-environment experiments. The goal is practical: how to structure data clearly, document experiments properly, and make results understandable and reusable across institutions and countries.
 
When data from Finland, Sweden, Denmark or the Baltic countries can be compared and combined, we gain a stronger evidence base for selecting crop varieties that perform well under different climate conditions. Breeding programmes can make more informed decisions. Researchers can avoid repeating experiments unnecessarily. Public research funding is used more efficiently.
 
In practical terms, this means that farmers and breeders gain access to better knowledge when selecting crop varieties suited for Nordic conditions, whether that means drought tolerance in Denmark or cold resilience in Finland.

 

Contact:
Prof Svend Christensen,

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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.

 

Very close-up photo of a larva in a piece of organic material. Brown, almost transparent in color.
A larva of the currant clearwing moth, Synanthedon tipuliformis, feeding inside a blackcurrant twig, causing severe damage to the plant, Buskerud fylke, Norway, May 4, 2021. This is one of several widespread pests on currant within the region. Photo: Line Beate Lersveen

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 north. Therefore, it is also important for preparedness reasons to maintain the area and expertise. It is also important to try to promote cultivation with as little environmental impact (chemical pesticides) as possible, and in this regard, many growers in our countries are at the forefront, says Olle Anderbrant, coordinator of the researcher network “Developing Integrated Pest Management in Nordic currant production“.

The researchers have collected up to date information about the most urgent needs for research when it comes to plant protection. An inventory of major pests and diseases in each country has been made based on published and previously unpublished information. These data form the background for a summary of the situation within the region as a whole and will point out research fields to prioritize in the future.

They have also taken previous and expected climatic changes into account and looked into possible changes of pest control regulations.

Collaboration between countries with similar environment and pests and diseases enables sharing ideas, resources and finally production of successful research proposals focusing on berry crops that have received less attention compared to strawberry and raspberry. By collaboration between countries, it should be easier to produce successful research proposals.

In the northern agricultural EU region, i.e., the Nordic and Baltic countries, currant and gooseberry production has a long tradition. Due to various economic and regulatory conditions these berries are nowadays mainly produced in the countries east of the Baltic Sea.

The network will continue exchanging information to the benefit of berry production and crop improvement in northern Europe. The project members have participated in various scientific and outreach meetings and presented the network and its ambitions.

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Roadshow 2026: Nordic Testbed Network Offers a Showcase of Testbeds

This summer, it is time for the second roadshow by Nordic Testbed Network. First up is Klaipėda Science and Technology Park (KSTP) May 26, who invites you to the RAS Roadshow 2026!

 

The roadshow is designed to engage a target audience through presentations, demonstrations, and to offer networking opportunities. We aim to connect the testbed members with relevant startups, end-users, other testbeds, and other important stakeholders focusing on digitalisation in the bioeconomy sectors throughout the Nordic and Baltic region.

In Klaipeda, the practical implementation, innovation potential, and commercialisation pathways of RAS technologies will be highlighted. The event will showcase the Aquaculture Competence Centre at KSTP, including ongoing experiments focused on advancing recirculating aquaculture technologies and sustainable production models.

Participants will be introduced to an innovative RAS-based spin-off company, AquaQlt, which recently received a patent for its shrimp tower technology. The event will also include a visit to Klaipėda University, Marine Research Institute, Fisheries and Aquaculture Laboratory, strengthening the link between research, pilot infrastructure, and commercialisation.

The event will target:

  • Aquaculture companies and fish farmers
  • Startups developing RAS technologies or related digital solutions
  • Technology providers
  • Researchers and students
  • Public authorities and policy stakeholders
  • Investors and innovation support organisations

Get more information and the see the programme here!

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) is an advanced, closed water system used to cultivate fish and shellfish in controlled environments, such as indoors or in tanks. The system is designed to reuse water through continuous filtration and purification, minimising the need for fresh water and reducing environmental impact compared to traditional aquaculture.

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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 University of Helsinki, Ruralia Institute, 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 the food sector. Recent events make it especially important to strengthen collaboration and the exchange of experiences regarding the vulnerabilities in food systems that we have observed over a longer period, says Per Hansson, Secretary General of NKJ.

By identifying vulnerabilities, engaging local stakeholders, and creating cross-sectoral strategic plans, RegioFoods aims to promote long-term sustainability and resilience. The project also contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in areas such as zero hunger, responsible consumption, and innovation.

RegioFoods represents an important step toward establishing a transnational observatory for food systems, which could also serve as a model for other regions in Europe.

For more information about the project and its partners, visit the project page.

This project is part of the programme of FutureFoodS, co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 101136361.