Mapping agricultural land quality in Iceland to preserve food production

Mapping the Quality of Agricultural Land in Iceland

Efforts are underway to classify agricultural land in Iceland according to its quality for cultivation. A local farmer emphasizes that valuable farming land should not be compromised by construction projects or tree planting, as it is essential for food production.

Eiríkur Blöndal, a farmer from Borgarfjörður, advocates for municipalities to consider the quality of agricultural land when deciding the locations of buildings and carbon sequestration initiatives. Factors like soil type, elevation above sea level, and sun exposure are crucial for determining land quality. Eiríkur notes the increasing need for more land to produce food, highlighting that optimal agricultural quality is characterized by good soil composition, adequate elevation, and sufficient size while favoring sunny locations.

The mapping initiative is part of a broader national land-use policy approved earlier this year. Existing land laws mandate that municipalities should respect agricultural areas in their planning and ensure they are not unnecessarily repurposed for other uses. Eiríkur insists that it is inappropriate to build on this land if alternatives are available and urges refraining from planting trees in areas designated for future food production.

He pointed out that countries with which Iceland compares itself are working towards enhancing sustainability. He added that while purchasing food is an option, it often results in acquiring products from regions struggling with food shortages. Thus, he emphasizes the necessity to boost domestic food production sustainability and secure future access for farmers to arable land.