The distinctiveness of mountain agriculture
Mountain agriculture consists of many small farms located in climatically challenging environments and sparsely populated communities with few opportunities for business outside of primary agriculture and tourism. Smaller yields, fewer possibilities for large-scale operations, and limited alternatives for employment beyond the farm increase the vulnerability of agricultural production in these areas. In addition, the high-altitude outfields are under growing pressure for use for other purposes, such as cabins, outdoor recreation, energy production, and biodiversity (especially predators).
Important Production – Significant Decline
The outfields and forage areas in mountain agriculture municipalities are vital for rural districts, cultural landscapes, tourism, and the country’s ability to remain self-sufficient in food. In 2023, the mountain region managed 16 percent of Norway’s cultivated agricultural land, 22 percent of the labor input in agriculture, and 15 percent of the value creation within primary agriculture.
The project shows that the strong trends of ever fewer and larger farms also have an impact. The mountain region has experienced a greater decline in food production than Southern Norway overall, while the decline is smaller than in Northern Norway
Challenges Towards 2034
Today, there is increased national demand for cow’s milk. The combination of many small farms, a high proportion of tie-stall barns, and topographical challenges means that many dairy farms in the mountain region are unlikely to invest in continued milk production. Therefore, it may be difficult for the mountain region to take part in the expected growth in milk production today, and especially to maintain the current level of milk production when the free-stall requirement is fully enforced from 2034. The project provides input to agriculture policy development.
Construction of Seven Mountain Agriculture Regions
In the project, we used registry data for the period 2015–2023 and interviews with key informants at the County Governors’ agricultural departments in selected counties. We have established a grouping of mountain municipalities into seven subregions (mountain agriculture regions), which together constitute one mountain region.
Header photo: Haugset/SINTEF