Work has begun on a new international project for the utilization of grain in the Arctic. The project is funded by the Northern Periphery & Arctic Program and lasts for three years. Participants are from Iceland (Matís and the Agricultural University), Northern Norway, the Faroe Islands, Orkney and Newfoundland.
Training is available to companies
The aim of the project is to increase food production from domestic grain and find new ways to utilize the grain. The intention is also to increase the value of grain production and increase the number of jobs related to grain. Guidelines will be provided on how best to grow grain under different conditions, information on the grain market will be extracted and efforts will be made in the product development of baked goods and beverages in collaboration with companies.
Cross-border information sharing is a key element of the project. Companies in the baking and beverage industry are available to use a variety of information as well as courses and tutoring. Three Icelandic companies in the baking industry are invited to take part in courses and road guidance NOFIMA in Norway. This includes a product development course in the spring of 2016 and a course on marketing in the spring of 2017 as well as consulting during the period. NOFIMA has an advanced experimental bakery and extensive experience in the development of grain products. Beverage manufacturers can take advantage of Orkney's experience in the beverage industry.
Matís requests information from the companies that want to use information sharing in the project. Interested companies are also requested to participate in the courses, but they will be selected on the basis of their expected results. Companies must send information about interest and plans to Ólafur Reykdal at Matís ( olafur.reykdal@matis.is).