Division of Survey and Statistics
Farmers and the city: enhancing added value and sustainability through optimized use of urban and peri-urban farm resources (URBANFARMS)
End: jul 2023
Start: apr 2019
The project aims at elaborating effective strategies for professional farmers in cities and peri-urban areas to make use of the vicinity of the city to increase added value from their production in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable way. The project shall identify land resources that are not in optimal use, and demonstrate business models that increase the use of local nutrients and of the nearby city's market and purchasing power.
Project participants
Svein Olav Krøgli Ulrike Bayr Anna Birgitte Milford Anne Strøm Prestvik Asbjørn Veidal Frøydis Gillund Matthew Reed Daniel Keech Anne-Kristin Løes Rose (Ildri Kristine) Bergslid Kirsty McKinnon Maria Båtnes| Status | Concluded |
| Start - end date | 01.04.2019 - 31.07.2023 |
| Project manager | Sebastian Eiter |
| Division | Division of Survey and Statistics |
| Department | Landscape Monitoring |
| Total budget | 9570000 |
| Funding source | The Norwegian Research Council (BIONÆR) |
Urban and peri-urban farm enterprises can be integrated into the urban 'metabolism' (cycle of nutrients and organic matter) through organic waste recycling and production of new goods.
Two city regions in Norway with different prerequisites for agriculture (Oslo and Bergen) will be study areas, and one city in the UK (Bristol). In Bristol, urban farming as part of a sustainable food supply for the city has come much further than in Norway. Mapping of land resources, market analyses, farm potentials for strengthened contact with the urban market and integration of this into the urban metabolism will be studied for 5 farms in each region. The farms shall represent different business models in which at least some production is adapted to profit from the vicinity of the city (community supported agriculture, pick-yourself, direct sales, etc.). We will conduct economic, social and environmental sustainability analyses on farm level, using the SMART assessment with international reputation.
The consortium is interdisciplinary and international, with research scientists and other professionals from NIBIO and NORSØK in Norway, and from the Countryside and Community Research Institute and Bristol Food Network in the UK. The Norwegian Farmers Association and Organic Norway participate as stakeholder organisations. Disciplines represented are agronomy, economics, geography and sociology.
Publications in the project
Abstract
Utdrag: Olavsbråten er en av 11 gårder som har deltatt i forskningsprosjektet Urbanfarms, som har sett på hvordan bønder i byer og bynære strøk kan øke verdiskapningen på gården på en bærekraftig måte ved å utnytte nærheten til byen.
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Background: Recycling nutrients and organic matter available as waste in urban areas may close nutrient gaps and improve soil quality, but the concentrations of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) are commonly higher than in mineral fertilisers. How quickly may the limits for soil quality be exceeded, and for which elements, if such materials are applied intensively? For a rough answer to this question, we used soil data from ten case farms near Oslo and Bergen (Norway) to estimate how PTE concentrations increased when the demand for nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in a theoretical carrot crop produced every year was covered by compost or digestate from source‑separated food waste, or composted garden waste, compared with manure from horses and poultry which are often kept in peri‑urban areas. Results: With the intensive fertilisation assumed here, the Norwegian soil quality limits for PTEs were reached within 20–85 years, and faster for soil with more organic matter since regulatory limits set by weight discriminate soils with low bulk density. The limits were reached first for Cu and Zn, which are both essential micronutrients for crop plants. The concentrations of macronutrients in the urban waste‑based fertilisers were not well balanced. Rates covering the K demand would lead to high surpluses of P and N. In peri‑urban vegetable growing, high applications of compost are not unusual, but more balanced fertilisation is required. Conclusions: The Norwegian regulations for PTEs in organic soil amendments and agricultural soil are stricter than in the EU, and do not support recycling of organic matter and nutrients from urban waste. Many materials which can only be applied with restricted amounts to Norwegian agricultural soil, may be applied according to crop demand in the EU. Growers utilising urban waste‑based fertilisers intensively should monitor the soil regularly, including PTE analyses. Soil sampling should occur on fixed sampling points to reveal changes in concentrations over time. Norwegian authorities should consider a revision of the organic fertiliser regulation to support recycling of valuable organic materials. There is a need for more data on the PTE concentrations in agricultural soil and organic fertiliser materials. Keywords Cadmium, Copper, Zinc, Smallscale vegetable growing, Food wastes, Urban agriculture, Compost, Digestate
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Resultater fra spørreundersøkelsen som er gjennomført blant andelsmedlemmer i Norge viser at de fleste høster grønnsakene selv på andelsgården, og betaler en gjennomsnittspris på ca. 3000 kroner for sesongen. For de fleste dekker dette størsteparten av behovet deres for grønnsaker i høstingssesongen. For de fleste er motivasjonen for å bli medlem av andelslandbruk tilgang til grønnsaker av høy kvalitet som er produsert på en miljøvennlig måte. De fleste besøker gården jevnlig og deltar på dugnader, og setter pris på sosiale samlinger på gården. Det er tydelig at de mer sosiale aspektene ved medlemskapet også er viktige for andelsmedlemmene. Undersøkelsen viser at mange opplever positive endringer som følge av medlemskap i andelslandbruk. Mange oppgir at de har fått økt livskvalitet, og at de spiser mer grønnsaker og mer sesongbasert mat, og at de har fått økt kunnskap og et større nettverk. Undersøkelsen viser også at mange som ikke er medlemmer ikke kjenner til noe andelslandbruk i nærheten av der de bor, og at dette er årsaken til at de ikke selv er medlemmer. Samtidig oppgir de fleste medlemmene at de fikk kjennskap til andelslandbruket sitt gjennom venner. Undersøkelsen viser at andelslandbruk kan ha mange positive konsekvenser, og det oppfordres til å se på muligheter for flere støtteordninger til denne formen for matproduksjon.
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This report presents findings from a qualitative survey among actors involved in the production and sale of local food in Oslo and Bristol, with a focus on sales models and challenges and opportunities for direct sales. The actors in Oslo and Bristol had largely the same motivation for local food sales, including environmental sustainability, transparency in the supply chain, creating community, supporting farmers, sharing knowledge about food and agriculture, as well as being a counterweight to the mainstream food system. Climate crisis and food safety were stronger motivational factors among actors in Bristol than in Oslo, while in Oslo there was more emphasis on the importance of local sales channels for food diversity and quality. Several interviewees pointed to lack of economic profitability as one of the most important challenges for the local food producers. It requires a great deal of work both with production, marketing and sales to be economically successful as a small-scale producer. At the same time, buying local food often requires more time, effort and money from consumers compared to shopping in grocery stores. The report points to several possible solutions to these challenges: increased demand for local food due to changes in attitudes, increased cooperation between producers, sales channels, organizations and public authorities to reduce competition and find common solutions, as well as the development of common digital platforms that can create economies of scale and make marketing and deliveries more efficient. It is also important to look at how the public sector, both through grants, procurement and guidance, can facilitate increased production and sale of local food.
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Local food is increasing in popularity. The more local, the better. However, selling local food is much more demanding than many may be aware of. Fortunately, new digital solutions are on the way.
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Short food supply chains (SFSCs) are associated with a range of contested, place-based attributes which contrast with the characteristics of complex, global and corporate chains. This article avoids such oppositional binaries by focusing on SFSCs serving two European cities, namely Oslo (Norway) and Bristol (UK). It reviews cities as a particular kind of market within which to secure custom, by presenting qualitative data from a study of SFSCs in these two cities to examine marketing barriers and opportunities encountered. Distinctive urban contexts, such as the density of consumers and presence of food-related infrastructures, can influence the marketing strategies and sales channels chosen by food enterprises. Difficulties are faced by both food producers and the sales channels through which they come to market, especially in relation to financial viability, price competition and efficiency. Our analysis, as well as highlighting connections and divergences between Oslo and Bristol, emphasises the role of these cities in providing diverse food market niches. Alongside global chains, functioning SFSCs help to reflect the history of Oslo and Bristol as trading cities with diverse populations and reveal enterprise adaptability and innovation as market demand shifts.
Abstract
Det er få lokale, småskala grønnsaksprodusenter som selger varene sine i Bergen i dag. For å få innspill til hvordan slik omsetning kan økes ble det organisert to arbeidsmøter med grønnsaksprodusenter, representanter for salgskanaler for lokale matvarer, organisasjoner som jobber innen dette feltet, og forvaltningen. Dette er en oppsummering av prosessen og resultatene.
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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The City of Bristol has a long history and well-established practices in urban farming and city food system planning. Farms apply different urban business models that take advantage of the proximity to the city by providing food to city dwellers. Dedicated retailers and restaurants specialize in local food, and a variety of organisations facilitate and promote a resilient and sustainable urban food system.
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Både i Norge og i mange andre industrialiserte land har det i de senere år vært økende omfang av markedshagedyrking, som, gitt en vid definisjon, kan beskrives som småskala grønnsaksdyrking for salg direkte til forbruker, restaurant eller butikk. I en spørreundersøkelse gjennomført våren 2021 har vi kartlagt markedshagedyrking i Norge, med fokus på agronomiske og økonomiske muligheter og utfordringer. Svarene fra 151 respondenter viser at det har vært en markant økning i antallet markedshagedyrkere de siste årene, og spesielt mellom 2019 og 2020. Markedshagedyrking forekommer nå de fleste steder i Norge, for det meste på arealer på under 2 dekar som i de fleste tilfeller tidligere har vært brukt til grasproduksjon eller beite, eller ligget brakk. Markedshagedyrkere er oftest tilknyttet et gårdsbruk, og mange har annen jordbruksproduksjon ved siden av grønnsaksdyrkingen. De fleste dyrker et mangfold av ulike grønnsaker, bruker lokale ressurser til gjødsling og ulike håndredskaper framfor motoriserte hjelpemidler som traktor. Det er vanlig å bruke økologiske dyrkingsmetoder, og det er for eksempel svært få som bruker mineralgjødsel. Likevel er det bare rundt halvparten av de erfarne dyrkerne som har markedshagearealer som er økologisk sertifiserte eller i karens. Den salgskanalen de fleste benytter seg av er REKO-ringer, men de fleste bruker flere forskjellige kanaler. I snitt er årsomsetningen for de erfarne dyrkerne rundt 120 000 kr, og mange er svært fornøyd med avling og salg, men bare passelig fornøyde med netto inntekt. De fleste oppgir at inntekten som generes fra grønnsaksdyrkingen er svært eller ganske viktig for egen økonomi. De fleste som har besvart undersøkelsen planlegger å fortsette som nå eller utvide, og å ha grønnsaksdyrking som hovedinntekt sammen med annen inntekt. De fleste oppgir også at de har tilgang til areal de kan bruke for å utvide. Markedshagedyrking byr på ulike utfordringer relatert til både agronomi og økonomi. Når det gjelder dyrkingen er det for eksempel en del som har store utfordringer med ugress, snegler, beregning av gjødselmengder og vanning. Manglende etterspørsel er generelt ikke en utfordring, mens lokal etterspørsel kan være en utfordring for en del. En del har også utfordringer med å nå ut med informasjon om produktene sine, samt tid brukt på markedsføring og levering. En annen viktig utfordring er det å sette riktig pris på varene som selges. En viktig utfordring relatert til økonomi er manglende finansiering til investeringer det er behov for. Dagens tilskuddssystemer for jordbruket er ikke tilrettelagt for denne typen småskaladrift, og det finnes få økonomiske støtteordninger for markedshagedyrkere. En av mulighetene som finnes er støtte til investeringer fra Innovasjon Norge, og 40 % av de erfarne dyrkerne oppgir at de har mottatt støtte herfra. Ulike tiltak for å fremme markedshagedyrking kan gi gevinster for eksempel i form av økt biologisk mangfold og mer utnyttelse av dyrkbar jord, økte inntektsmuligheter på mange gårdsbruk, og det kan føre til økt tilbud og forbruk av norske grønnsaker. Forslag til tiltak kan være å etablere støtteordninger som kan bidra til å sikre bedre lønnsomhet i markedshagedyrking. Det kan også være nyttig med tiltak som kan gjøre markedsføring, salg og levering enklere, for eksempel gjennom mer omfattende produsentsamarbeid og å skape ulike digitale løsninger for markedsføring. Andre eksempler er tiltak for å øke etterspørsel etter norske grønnsaker, spesielt i rurale strøk der markedet er mindre, ettersom mange markedshagedyrkere holder til langt fra store byer. Markedshagedyrking er et relativt nytt fenomen, og det er behov for mer forskning på mange ulike områder innen både agronomi og økonomi. Dyrkerne har også behov for å få tilgang til mer kunnskap, for eksempel gjennom ulike kurs og tilgang til rådgivere.
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Most food in developed countries, including organic fruits and vegetables, is sold through supply chains run by large wholesalers and supermarket chains. A certain share is sold through local marketing channels such as speciality stores, food box schemes, farmers' markets, and community-supported agriculture (CSA). This study uses qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey to expose the differences between mainstream and local marketing of organic fruits and vegetables in Norway, why and to what extent farmers selling through these two sales channels are different. We find that the supermarket chains' requirements to provide large quantities of uniform product are burdensome for smaller farmers to match. Farmers supplying the mainstream supermarkets tend to be larger and more rurally located. Farmers selling through local marketing are likely to be smaller, closer to urban areas and more diversified in their production. For local marketing farmers, it is more feasible to produce according to organic principles, using local resources and crop rotation. Survey results also show that local marketing farmers are less motivated to produce fruits and vegetables by income and more motivated to produce organically to achieve better quality and sustainability. At the same time, there are also many similarities between the two groups, and we do not find evidence of a general “conventionalisation” of organic agriculture in Norway.
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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https://www.nationen.no/motkultur/debatt/markedshagedyrking-er-en-spennende-utvikling-i-landbruket/
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
https://okologisknorge.no/aktuelt/ny-forskning-ser-paa-markedshager-i-norge/
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Anna Birgitte MilfordAbstract
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
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Sebastian EiterAbstract
No abstract has been registered