Call for an oilseeds crop diversification in Finland
Angove, Olga (2021)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202105209625
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-202105209625
Tiivistelmä
Promoting crop diversification in agriculture is one of the key measures that could help with the mitigation of existing and evolving environmental problems. Crop diversity strengthens crop quality and productivity, as well as soil health, resilience to pests and diseases among other benefits.
This work is focusing on oilseed crops in Finland. Nowadays the main oilseed crop in Finland is rapeseed. However, there is a great potential for the production of hemp, flax, camelina and other oilseed crops as well on a larger scale.
The main benefits of these crops are related to great environmental adaptability, resistance to pests and diseases, low-soil and water requirements, as well as uses in food, feed, cosmetics, textile, and other spheres.
The following question was central in the research: can hemp, flax, and camelina oils be sustainable local supplements to the oil market in Finland?
The study aimed to discover the attitude of Finnish people towards vegetable oils and their today’s preferences as well as their interest in new varieties.
I conducted an online survey and in total 240 people answered the questions. According to respondents' answers, the three most popular oils in Finland are olive oil, rapeseed oil, and coconut oil. Respondents showed high interest in other oils, made from local crops in Finland as well. Vegetable oils extracted from hemp, flax, and camelina seeds could be a healthy addition to a diet if they become more available and affordable in Finland.
However, further studies could also investigate the potential to scale up the production of camelina, hemp, and flax from a promising oilseed to a commonly cultivated crop in Finland. I think farmers and end-users have to discover the real potential of this interesting species as well as the health benefits of cold-pressed fresh oils.
This work is focusing on oilseed crops in Finland. Nowadays the main oilseed crop in Finland is rapeseed. However, there is a great potential for the production of hemp, flax, camelina and other oilseed crops as well on a larger scale.
The main benefits of these crops are related to great environmental adaptability, resistance to pests and diseases, low-soil and water requirements, as well as uses in food, feed, cosmetics, textile, and other spheres.
The following question was central in the research: can hemp, flax, and camelina oils be sustainable local supplements to the oil market in Finland?
The study aimed to discover the attitude of Finnish people towards vegetable oils and their today’s preferences as well as their interest in new varieties.
I conducted an online survey and in total 240 people answered the questions. According to respondents' answers, the three most popular oils in Finland are olive oil, rapeseed oil, and coconut oil. Respondents showed high interest in other oils, made from local crops in Finland as well. Vegetable oils extracted from hemp, flax, and camelina seeds could be a healthy addition to a diet if they become more available and affordable in Finland.
However, further studies could also investigate the potential to scale up the production of camelina, hemp, and flax from a promising oilseed to a commonly cultivated crop in Finland. I think farmers and end-users have to discover the real potential of this interesting species as well as the health benefits of cold-pressed fresh oils.