How do farming communities move from climate ambition to climate action while keeping farms viable and productive? Climate-smart agriculture is essential to address the growing impact of climate change, increasing farms’ resilience to extreme events and seasonal variations.
In Kälviä, Finland, hosted by KPEDU, the EVECSA partners from across Europe gathered to examine firsthand how Finnish agriculture is navigating this challenge, and what insights can be shared across regions. A highlight of the meeting was a detailed presentation by Niko Hyppönen, Operations Manager at MTK Keski-Pohjanmaa, the regional branch of MTK, Finland’s largest advocacy organisation for farmers, forest owners and rural entrepreneurs. Drawing on both personal farming experience and extensive dialogue with Finnish farmers, Hyppönen offered a grounded overview of how climate-smart agriculture is taking shape in practice – rooted in farm realities rather than top-down prescriptions.
Emissions from organic soils: a priority in Finnish agriculture
In Finland, one of the most pressing climate challenges stems from the country’s organic soils. Peatlands are a defining feature of the landscape, but they also account for a disproportionate share of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions – roughly 60% of agricultural emissions come from peatlands, even though they cover only about 11% of cultivated land.
Rather than calling for a blanket cessation of peatland cultivation, Finnish approaches prioritise site-specific decision-making. Controlled subsurface drainage systems help reduce soil aeration and subsequent CO₂ emissions. On low-productivity peatlands, rewetting and restoration are being used to reduce emissions and enhance ecological function. Where soils remain productive, cultivation continues but with focused emission-reducing measures in place.
Managing mineral soils for carbon gains
Beyond peatlands, Hyppönen also discussed mineral soils and their potential to transition from being carbon sources to carbon sinks. With targeted management, Finnish experts believe these soils could begin sequestering more carbon than they emit by 2035.
For that, the agricultural sector needs to apply clearly climate-smart practices:
- increased use of cover crops and green manures to build organic matter,
- diverse crop rotations that enhance soil structure and carbon storage,
- optimised fertiliser use, improving nutrient efficiency while reducing emissions,
- regional soil research to tailor approaches to local conditions.
The Finnish experience presented at the meeting sent a clear message: climate-smart agriculture is most successful when it is rooted in local realities, economically sensible, and supported by practical, measurable practices.
As EVECSA partners return to their own contexts, these insights offer a practical foundation for rethinking training, advisory services and collaborative action in agriculture – from farm soil to farm energy to farm markets.
EVECSA is funded by the ERASMUS+ project, and will last for a period of 48 months. In collaboration with Bygholm – BYGHOLM LANDBRUGSSKOLE (Denmark – Coordinator), Asmildkloster – ASMILDKLOSTER LANDBRUGSSKOLE (Denmark), Green Academy – JORDBRUGETS UDDANNELSESCENTER ARHUS (Denmark), Kalo Organic – VIDEN DJURS (Denmark), FBCD AS (Denmark), AU – AARHUS UNIVERSITET (Denmark), EAMANRESA – Departament d’Acció Climàtica, Alimentació i Agenda Rural (Spain), BOSCAT FUSTA SL (Spain), UVic-UCC – FUNDACIO UNIVERSITARIA BALMES (Spain), CESIE ETS (Italy), LAND IMPRESA SOCIALE SRL (Italy), CORERAS – CONSORZIO REGIONALE PER LA RICERCA APPLICATA E LA SPERIMENTAZIONE (Italy), Aeres – STICHTING AERES GROEP (Holland), AFC – STICHTING AGROFOODCLUSTER (Holland), KATAPULT – STICHTING PLATFORM TALENT VOORTECHNOLOGIE (Holland), ProAgria – PROAGRIA KESKI-POHJANMAA RY (Finland), KPEDU – KESKI-POHJANMAAN KOULUTUSYHTYMA (Finland), SEDU – SEINAJOEN KOULUTUSKUNTAYHTYMA (Finland), LUAS – LAPLAND UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES (Finland), Pow.ZD. – POWIAT ZDUNSKOWOLSKI (Poland), UPWr – UNIWERSYTET PRZYRODNICZY WE WROCLAWIU (Poland), Energia- ENERGIA OZ SP ZOO (Poland).
Do you want do know more about EVECSA?
Are you a VET organisation, VET staff or VET student interested in climate smart agriculture issues? Do you work for an agricultural company and would like to learn more about green skills? To learn more, contact margherita.rosi@impresasocialeland.org.