Erkki Kivinen

Viljelyskelpoisen maan levinneisyydestä suomessa

Introduction

Viljelyskelpoisen maan levinneisyydestä suomessa. Arvio viljelyskelpoisen maan alueesta Etelä-Suomessa (Oulu-linjan eteläpuolella). Tutkimus kattaa teknisen ja taloudellisen soveltuvuuden sekä omistussuhteet.

Abstract

At the initiative of the Ministry of Agriculture the area of arable land was roughly estimated according to communities. Due to the circumstances the elucidation deals only with the southern Finland up to the line along the river Oulu. The investigation was directed only to such districts where at least one farm can be established, with no regard to the size and the owners of the farms to which these districts belong. In addition to the technical arability also the economical suitability for clearing as well as the ownership relations according to the groups of owners (state, community, parish, company and a private person) have been elucidated in the work. South of the river-Oulu-line the arable land has been noted to amount to about 750.000 ha. Two-thirds of the arable land consist of peat land and one-third of mineral soil. The majority of it belongs to private landowners. The map 1 illustrates the area of arable land according to communities, the map 2 the area of arable land in per cent of uncultivated land and the map 3 the percentage of peat land and mineral soil in arable land.

Review

This paper, titled "Viljelyskelpoisen maan levinneisyydestä suomessa," presents a significant preliminary assessment of arable land distribution in Finland, initiated by the Ministry of Agriculture. Its primary objective is to provide a rough estimation of available arable land, focusing specifically on the southern regions of Finland up to the Oulu river line. The study's scope is notably practical, concentrating on districts where at least one farm could be established, regardless of its size or ownership, thereby directly addressing agricultural development potential. The methodology employed in this investigation involved an estimation across communities, which uniquely integrated technical arability with an assessment of the economic suitability for land clearing. Furthermore, a crucial element of the study was its analysis of ownership relations, categorizing landholdings among state, community, parish, company, and private entities. The key findings indicate approximately 750,000 hectares of arable land in Southern Finland, with a distinct composition of two-thirds peat land and one-third mineral soil. The majority of this potential arable land is identified as belonging to private landowners, a demographic insight critical for land use planning. The abstract also highlights the inclusion of three maps illustrating these spatial and compositional details. This work represents a foundational contribution to understanding Finland's agricultural landscape, offering critical data for land use planning and policy development within the specified region. By considering economic suitability and ownership alongside technical arability, the study provides a more comprehensive and actionable overview for stakeholders. While acknowledged as "roughly estimated" and geographically limited, this initial survey establishes an essential baseline for future, more detailed investigations, either covering the entire country or delving deeper into specific land types and their potential for cultivation and sustainable development.

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