The condition of municipal rental fields is being investigated in the Hilkku project
The report is part of an operating model being developed in the project, in which four municipalities in Central Uusimaa are promoting carbon sequestration in their fields in order to slow down climate change.
The Carbon Farming on Municipal Leased Land in Central Uusimaa (Hilkku) project has begun assessing the condition of municipally owned farmland in Tuusula, Järvenpää, Kerava and Nurmijärvi.
The study is being conducted by Maa-akatemia cooperative, which has taken soil samples from municipally owned fields for laboratory analysis and assessed the condition of the soil and drainage systems in the fields. The fieldwork was carried out in October, and the report will be completed in early 2026.
The study selected fields larger than two hectares that are not included in zoning plans for the coming years.
– In the Hilkku project, we have found that municipalities have incomplete information about the condition of leased fields and their renovation needs. Fields can act as carbon sinks that slow down climate change if the soil chemistry, structure and water management are in good condition and the plants grow well. The survey will give us a comprehensive picture of the state of leased fields in the area. We will also carry out concrete restoration work based on the report, says Ekaterina Ikonen, Environmental Protection Manager at the Central Uusimaa Environment Centre, who is leading the project.
Field and laboratory research
The nutrients and acidity of the arable land are analysed in the laboratory. In addition, a carbon check analysis is performed to determine how much carbon is present in the soil. In addition to laboratory testing, the condition of drainage and open ditches, water management challenges, compaction and the overall structure of the soil were assessed on the field plots.
– During the field survey, we identified significant challenges in soil structure and water management, but we also gained valuable information for corrective measures, say Andrei Girz and Philipp Mayer, experts from the Land Academy who conducted the survey.
In Finland, it has been observed that leased fields are, on average, in poorer condition than farmers’ own fields. Farmers often lack the resources to restore leased fields. By strengthening cooperation between landowners and tenant farmers, leased fields can also be brought into better condition for growing crops.
– Measures that promote soil improvement and eliminate water management problems also promote water protection, says Paula Luodeslampi, water expert at the Vantaa River Water Protection Association.
In addition to surveying the condition of leased fields, the project has drawn up a growth condition agreement for voluntary municipal leaseholders. The growth condition agreement is to be piloted in all project municipalities.
“The aim is to develop an operating model here in Central Uusimaa, which could then be replicated elsewhere in Finland,” says Ekaterina Ikonen.
The aim of the Hilkku project is to promote carbon sequestration on municipal rental fields. The project, which will be implemented between 2024 and 2026, is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, the Central Uusimaa Environment Centre and the Vantaanjoki and Helsinki Region Water Protection Association. The project will be implemented in Järvenpää, Kerava, Nurmijärvi and Tuusula.
Further information: Ekaterina Ikonen, Environmental Protection Manager, Central Uusimaa Environmental Centre, +358 40 314 4735,
ekaterina.ikonen@tuusula.fi
This content has been translated using AI