HIKKA
Carbon and growth for the clay fields of Southern Finland
Project Information
| Project | Carbon and growth for the clay fields of Southern Finland (HIKKA) |
| Duration | 01/2022 – 10/2024 |
| Partners | Häme University of Applied Sciences, Natural Resources Institute Finland, ProAgria Etelä-Suomi ry |
| Funding | Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland |
| Budget | 653 981 € |
The HIKKA project supports and guides farmers in the selection of measures based on research data and collects information on the effectiveness of practices that increase the carbon sequestration of different on clay soils. The work builds on the network of 20 farms and the soil growth observations made from selected field plots under the ongoing project ‘Information and tools to improve crop security’ (TyVi).
The project will increase farmers’ understanding and knowledge of farming practices that promote carbon sequestration and increase their adoption on farms both in the target area in Southern Finland and also in the area of Finland that is more widely cultivated. The project promotes the interaction between farmers, research and advisors on a practical level and produces new farm-level information on the effectiveness of various actions to support advisors and decision-makers.
Target Group
Farmers, agricultural specialists, researchers, teachers, advisors, project executors and decision makers.
Operating region
Southern Finland.
Background information
The reduction of organic matter in soil is a global problem, often caused by cultivation practices that accelerate decomposition, as well as by one-sided cultivation. Most of the carbon leaving soil ends up in the atmosphere as carbon dioxide and thus contributes to accelerating climate change. In addition to climate impacts, the reduction of organic matter from the soil weakens the growth condition of the soil, as organic matter maintains biodiversity, retains and releases nutrients, and enables the formation of a sustainable and functional crumb structure, thus affecting the soil’s water retention, water conductivity and water pollution risk.
The main objective of the project is to maintain and strengthen the role of cultivated land as a carbon sink and storage area by increasing the amount of organic matter in clay fields in Southern Finland. Through improved soil structure and growing conditions, the project will increase the productivity of fields, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the adaptation of agriculture to weather conditions that are becoming more extreme as a result of climate change.
The detailed objective of the project is to increase the uptake of carbon balance corrective actions on farms and to verify their effectiveness under practical conditions.
In addition, the project produces generalizable knowledge to support climate action and promotes its use.
Contact information
