Agriculture fit for the future

The national budget shows that our funding allocation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food will increase by more than NOK 200 million compared with last year's original allocation. The increase comprises funding under the Agricultural Agreement and funding from the national budget.

'We are delighted about this, as it enables us to take even greater strides towards greener agriculture, aquaculture and forestry,' says Silje Lesjø, EVP of Agriculture and Acting EVP of Bionova at Innovation Norway.

We are seeing strong political commitment to investing in Bionova. One year after its establishment, the funding framework is approximately NOK 400 million. Bionova comprises two schemes, both of which we are continuing to develop to achieve the objectives set for the new remit: the Value Creation Programme for Renewable Energy and Technology in Agriculture and the Bioeconomy Scheme. Overall, Bionova's allocation will increase by NOK 84 million from 2023 to 2024.

'With the increased funding, we can support more bioeconomy projects and climate initiatives across the three bio-based industries, helping to deliver the necessary emissions cuts by 2030. We can also fund even more innovative solutions that reduce emissions in both the marine and land-based sectors. We are seeing a growing focus on circularity in both sectors, including in areas such as feed, energy and fertiliser, as well as the use of forest resources in new processes and products. We also see that many are keen to harness Norway's expertise in timber construction,' says Lesjø.

There is a significant need to upgrade agricultural production facilities, not least because of new animal welfare and loose-housing requirements that will come into force in 2034. Our funding framework in this area will also increase.

IBU funding will increase by NOK 70 million to NOK 1.22 billion from 2024. In addition to the county allocations, NOK 100 million will be set aside in a dedicated fund for investments in loose housing for cattle. Counties can draw on the national allocation once they have fully allocated their own county funding.

'We are seeing varying levels of demand across the regions. A dedicated funding pot for investments in loose housing for cattle will enable us to support more projects in regions where demand exceeds the funding available within their own county allocation,' says Lesjø.