Greenland has agricultural potential
Aarhus Universitet has submitted its report regarding the possibilities for climate adaptation in agriculture - status and possible actions to Greenland’s Self-Government.
Researchers from the departments of Agroecology, Bioscience and Environmental Science have for the past six months worked on a report on the possibilities and challenges in Greenlandic agriculture in a warmer climate. The task was assigned to Aarhus University and AGRO following a tendering procedure in the spring of 2016. For a start AGRO initiated research into the soil resource in Southern Greenland in two field campaigns, one in 2013 and one in 2015.
Greenlandic agriculture is located at the southern tip of Greenland in the area around the town of Qaqortoq (Julianehåb). The cultivated agricultural area covers approximately 1000 ha, and is mainly used for production of winter feed for sheep and lambs. The surrounding grazing area is approximately 250,000 ha. Production also includes a small amount of vegetables, in particular potatoes which are sold locally.
Greenlandic holdings are small, and the degree of self-sufficiency amounts to a few per cent, but the industry is important in order to retain jobs and settlement in the villages in Southern Greenland. Agricultural production is also important for Greenlandic self-understanding. And Greenlandic lambs and potatoes are indeed a great delicacy.
The rapid climate changes which we see in Greenland have serious consequences for humans, animals and plants all over Greenland. However, the climate changes may provide improved conditions for agriculture in Southern Greenland. The growing season will up to the year 2100 increase from the present approximately 100 days to approximately 150 days.
Water and nutrients should be applied
The report points to a large potential for increasing the agricultural production in Greenland. In the report we point to a more extensive distribution of irrigation systems and development of efficient irrigation strategies as having a great potential in the area in order to exploit the longer growing season. We also point out that a better exploitation and handling of animal manure will be able to increase winter feed yields.
Our fieldwork in Southern Greenland has shown that the soils are poor and with only a small amount of plant-accessible water. There will therefore be a great potential for soil improvement, partly by using animal manure, partly by application of composted seaweed from a local seaweed resource. Another possibility is the application of local glacial meal, which will improve the physical and chemical properties of the soil.
The report points to a number of development and research opportunities for AGRO and Aarhus University. It is my hope that we will get a number of projects in the years ahead for the benefit of both us and Greenlandic society.
