Contact
Ólafur Reykdal
Project Manager
olafur.reykdal@matis.is
Status of Cereal Cultivation in the North Atlantic Region
The report describes an assessment of grain cultivation in North Atlantic countries. The report is part of the project Nordic Grain - New Opportunities funded by the NORA Fund. Participants are Matís, the Agricultural University of Iceland, Bioforsk Nord in Norway, the Agricultural Center in the Faroe Islands, the Agricultural Institute in Orkney and the Forestry & Agrifoods Agency in Newfoundland. A unit has been established with the Agricultural Service in Greenland. The areas examined are very variable with regard to the needs of cereals. Variations in temperature and precipitation can create problems in grain farming. When looking at the areas as a whole, the number of grain farmers is about 1,100 and they cultivate about 40,000 tons of grain per year on about 9,400 hectares. The largest grain production was in the Orkney Islands. It is possible to increase grain production, especially in Iceland, Newfoundland and N-Norway.
This review of Cereal Cultivation in the North Atlantic Region is a part of the project Northern Cereals - New Opportunities supported by the Nordic Atlantic Cooperation (NORA). Participants are Matis - Icelandic Food and Biotech R & D, The Agricultural University of Iceland, Bioforsk North Norway, Agricultural Center Faroe Islands, Agronomy Institute Orkney Scotland and Forestry & Agrifoods Agency, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. Cooperation has also been established with The Agricultural Consulting Services in Greenland. Partner regions are very diverse with respect to conditions for cereal production. Temperature and rainfall are very variable and therefore a challenge for cereal producers. About 1,100 farmers grow cereals on 9,400 ha in the partner regions. Annual cereal production is estimated to be about 40,000 tons. Greatest production occurs in Orkney. It is possible to increase cereal production in most regions, particularly in Iceland, Newfoundland and N-Norway.