The area of agricultural land has long been decreasing in the Nordic countries. Farmland is now expected to serve many purposes beyond just food production – and it is urgent to discuss how we can collectively manage the conflicts that arise.
Over the past decade, food production has been strained by multiple crises. The COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, war, and inflation all affect how we manage our land. This has made it an increasingly urgent issue to discuss and find answers to – both globally and at the Nordic level.
– For the future, we need to reflect on the role that agriculture and agricultural land play in times of crisis, and how the green sector can prepare to handle such crises, says Sofie Andersson, project coordinator at Nordic Agri Research (NKJ).
But it’s not only different types of crises that affect the food system. More and more new interests are placing demands on land as a vital resource. We want to create green energy, build housing, and protect biodiversity – just a few examples of land-intensive activities. Clearly, we need discussion and new solutions to meet all these needs.
Nordic Agri Research (NKJ) is now engaging in this discussion and offering recommendations for future cooperation on land use issues. The Nordic countries have a long tradition of collaborating to solve shared challenges. Tackling land use issues and balancing society’s various needs while maintaining national food security is no exception – and is facilitated through increased Nordic exchange.
– Competition for agricultural land creates both local and national conflicts. Through collaboration between the Nordic countries, we can help resolve these conflicts more effectively and quickly than we could individually, says Sofie Andersson.
The Nordic countries share similarities and differences in how they manage land use. They have similar planning systems, where local authorities hold the main responsibility, but differ in the types of national policy tools used to influence or regulate local planning. There is a lot they can learn from each other. In some areas, a common knowledge base would also facilitate cooperation in crisis management – for example, the development of soil maps for potential arable and pasture land, and common definitions of soil quality.
See all recommendations, statistics, and facts on land use in the Nordic countries