– We have to both rebuild and build on the barn to facilitate, among other things, loose farming, says farmer Erlend Konstad in Melhus in Trøndelag. Agriculture’s own reduction of topsoil is the theme in Norway during World Earth Day on Monday. December 5 is the international World Soil Day. For Konstad, soil conservation is about expanding the farm building and complying with state requirements in such a way that as little as possible of his topsoil disappears. – We first considered building a completely new barn. We then calculated that around three hectares of topsoil would be wasted in buildings, roads and equipment storage space. Now we are going to expand the old barn instead. It results in less intervention, says Konstad. The family of three wants to have milk production on the farm in the future as well. Then they must have better space for the animals. From left: Ellen Groeggen, Elling Konstad and Erlend Konstad. Photo: Morten Karlsen / news Have used aerial photos to get an overview But agriculture has previously contributed to a fairly large part of the construction on topsoil in Norway. – In the period 2004 to 2015, agriculture accounted for 22 per cent of the total reduction, says Geir-Harald Strand, special adviser at the Norwegian Institute for Bioeconomy (NIBIO). The figures from the municipalities on reallocated areas do not capture downsizing for agricultural purposes, for example new farm buildings. In addition, there are quite a few permits for the reallocation of other topsoil that have been granted, but where the decommissioning is postponed and perhaps not carried out either. These have been two x-factors for soil conservation in Norway. NIBIO and Statistics Norway (SSB) have therefore used aerial photography and map services to get a better overview of the real degradation of topsoil. Strand points out that as soon as agriculture became aware of the total burden they were facing, measures were taken. – We see that agriculture’s own awareness has greatly increased. In surveys that have been carried out later, agriculture’s downsizing seems to have been halved, says Strand. The Norwegian Farmers’ Association points out that the statistics also cover a wide range of interventions. – And let me emphasize that there is a significant difference between building a new barn for the animals to ensure good supervision and good animal welfare, versus taking topsoil to build roads, housing estates, cabins, parking lots or other things that can basically be built anywhere preferably otherwise, says manager Bjørn Gimming. Leader of the Norwegian Farmers’ Association, Bjørn Gimming points out that there are fewer and fewer farmers, but that they produce as much food as before. This means that farm buildings and machinery require more space on the remaining active farms. Photo: Christian Nygaard-Monsen / news Farmyard surrounded by soil Strand believes that agriculture has a challenge with the fact that farmyards are most often surrounded by topsoil. – It is important, especially for those who have livestock, that the farm buildings are close to the residential building so that the animals can be supervised. Farmers often have little leeway as to where they can set up such buildings without affecting topsoil, says Strand. The Konstad family has visited all the issues. They have drawn a new barn, rejected the drawings. Designed extensions, prepared new plans and looked at various solutions. – I think it is the farmers who are most concerned with soil conservation, because we live off the soil. Nobody who makes a living from food production builds topsoil because it’s fun, says Konstad. Now they have good faith in the extension, which will also be more affordable than if they had built a new barn. Today’s operating building is over a hundred years old. It was restored to a stall barn in 1970, and built on in 1997. With a more modern barn according to today’s requirements, the family believes that the farm will be able to provide a whole workplace in the future. Photo: Morten Karlsen / news – It was very low under the roof. There are not enough calving pens to comply with new requirements from 2024, and we need more space to meet the free-range requirement that comes in 2034, says Konstad. Tightening the soil conservation targets In the summer of 2021, the Storting adopted the national target that the reallocation of cultivated land should not exceed 3,000 acres a year. And that this must be achieved by 2025. In 2021, permission was given for the reallocation of 2,970 acres in Norway. The government was very satisfied that the target was reached for the first time, and that it was at the lowest level since these statistics began to be kept in 1967. – The government has high ambitions for soil conservation, which is also emphasized in the Hurdal platform, says the agricultural and food minister Sandra Borch to news. Housing and transport accounted for the largest share of the reallocation with 33 and 27 per cent. But this is therefore a matter of redistributed areas. Not necessarily already developed areas. Agriculture’s figures and the backlog from previous reallocation permits that have been granted are added. Focusing on the problem itself, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (LMD), the Norwegian Farmers’ Association and the Norwegian Farmers’ and Small Farmers’ Association organize the conference “Soil conservation in agriculture” on Soil Conservation Day. They point out that international uncertainty with war in Europe and food, climate and energy crises in large parts of the world shows how important it is to have sustainable and active agriculture throughout Norway. Agriculture and Food Minister Sandra Borch wants more focus on food safety and soil protection. Also on reallocation of topsoil within agriculture. Photo: Dan Henrik Klausen Every year, globally, an area that could have provided enough food for 3 million people disappears. Norway is a country with many forests and mountains. Only 2.8 percent of Norway’s area is cultivated land. The government will take a closer look at how all decommissioning of cultivated land can be registered, and will “assess a target figure for total decommissioning to capture also the decommissioning of agriculture”. They want input, and mention reuse or demolition of existing buildings as two solutions. Or to build higher or slightly further from the yard. I think the solution will be right. Konstad falls under one category. – We think it will be fine with the solution we now end up with by restoring and expanding the operating building. We need to increase the milk quota, and also increase production on the farm to strengthen the economy, says Konstad. With them, there is topsoil all around the buildings. – What is not cultivated is either very steep or it is bog, says Konstad. From 1969 to 2020, the number of agricultural enterprises in Norway has been reduced by 75 per cent, from 155,000 to 38,600. There have been fewer and greater uses. Konstad wants to be one of those who continue. Photo: Morten Karlsen / news The ministry wants a reflection on whether the administration and advisory service can contribute to better solutions to a greater extent. – We have said that soil conservation should become an overarching goal in spatial planning, and that we should tighten up the soil conservation goal. Now we will create and present a new soil conservation strategy, with new and concrete measures to achieve the goal, says Borch.
ttn-69
Agriculture’s own reduction of topsoil is the theme of World Earth Day – news Trøndelag
