Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry sets out vision to make Finland leader in bioeconomy 

The aim of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is that Finland will be the leader in a sustainable bioeconomy in 2035. The Ministry is working towards the goal that renewable natural resources are used for creating growth, wellbeing and security. 

At the core of the new strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the aim to create increasingly sustainable conditions for growth in Finland, strengthen comprehensive security and ensure wellbeing in a changing world. The drivers of change affecting the activities of the Ministry’s branch of government have been taken account of in preparing the strategy. Many global drivers of change impact the Ministry’s operating environment, creating both challenges and new opportunities. 

Food security and the availability of production inputs are key elements of security of supply and comprehensive security. Climate change and biodiversity are increasingly guiding the Ministry’s work. 

Natural resources must be used wisely. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is responsible for livelihoods that depend on clean food, water and renewable natural resources. Safeguarding food and water is a key part of national security,

The Ministry's administrative branch deals with environmental and economic factors that together create wellbeing for Finland.  Reducing the use of fossil raw materials is increasingly important. 

Three impact objectives 

The strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry sets out three impact objectives for the Ministry and its administrative branch: 

• Bioeconomy produces significant added value and profitable business. 
• Viable rural areas strengthen comprehensive security and security of supply. 
• Stability and prosperity from data resources and research. 

Diversifying the bioeconomy and increasing the processing rate will boost added value and support rural business activities. 

Products based on renewable natural resources account for about one fifth of Finland’s export revenue. There is great potential for increasing added value.

The administrative branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry aims to create the foundations for stronger value chains based on natural resources and the resulting wellbeing of citizens. 

The Ministry want to promote value chains based on natural resources to increase wellbeing in society. Value chains that are sustainable in every respect enable regenerative economic growth, people's wellbeing and comprehensive security throughout the country. 

Primary production lays foundation for bioeconomic growth 

The methods of food production have developed considerably. We must continue the development work as part of Finland's national strategy for the future. The forest sector is still the most important sector in the bioeconomy. 

In addition to the raw materials produced by forests for different kinds of industrial processes and products, the forest bioeconomy comprises the recreational use of forests: berries, game, nature tourism and numerous intangible benefits. 

Added value of the forest-based bioeconomy can be further increased by accelerating the movement of innovations from laboratories to production, lengthening the value chains, making better use of the resource and material flows and improving the productivity of the value chains. 

Viable rural areas enable growth 

Looking after all of Finland is a key part of comprehensive security. Rural areas lay the foundation for Finland’s security of supply.  It is therefore important to look after the countryside and archipelago areas and retain population in all parts of the country. This includes maintaining the lower road network in good condition. 

The EU funding has a significant impact on the vitality of the rural areas. In 2014–2022, over 15,000 new jobs were created and nearly 6,200 companies were established in Finland through funding from the Rural Development Programme. 

Rural development supports bioeconomy value chains, creates jobs and strengthens the sustainability of production. Maintaining the vitality of rural areas and supporting local operators are an important part of this work. 

More efficient use of data resources  

The administrative branch of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has extensive data resources and digital services that benefit society as a whole. These data resources can be used even more efficiently. This would increase economic activity in society and growth in the national economy. The data must be used safely and in a way that promotes stability in society.

Comprehensive and reliable information plays a key role in the development of bioeconomy value chains. Finland can compete on the world market on high added-value products and services.

Information must move in two directions in the value chain so that the sustainability investments of primary production can be verified.  

Consumers must have access to reliable information on the products they use. At the same time, the entire value chain from primary production to final services must obtain reliable information on consumer views and market potential. There is a threefold connection between a physical product or service, the price paid for it and information on production and consumption. 
 
The development of bioeconomy value chains is largely based on the knowledge and innovations produced by research. High-quality research is also needed to safeguard the carrying capacity of nature, comprehensive security and security of supply. 

The administrative branch’s data resources will be used more efficiently, while taking into account the changed security environment. 

See also

Strategy brochyre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry