Farmers' needs and challenges in the Norwegian rangeland grazing systems
Workshops held in Oppdal, Voss and Meråker in Norway highlighted key needs and challenges faced by farmers in mountain rangeland areas, and helped launch the Norwegian DIGI-Rangeland network. Regarding how to improve practices and management in extensive ruminant systems, participants pointed to low profitability, labour and time constraints, and increasing documentation requirements. They stressed that today’s digital tools are fragmented and called for lower-cost, practical technologies and better integration and data sharing between apps and platforms to reduce administrative burden and support better decisions. The second topic discussed was how to facilitate the use and sharing of rangeland areas with different stakeholders. Farmers described conflicts linked to the right to roam, loose dogs, tourism pressure, cabin development and wild carnivores, and asked for clearer rules, better public knowledge, improved dialogue with other land users and authorities, and strengthened grazing rights, alongside more effective local predator management. The last topic discussed was how to develop and promote products and ecosystem services from rangeland systems. Participants highlighted low product prices (including wool) and negative or uninformed attitudes toward grazing animals, and emphasised the need for stronger communication, visibility and marketing that explains the cultural, landscape and climate value of grazing, while recognising that different rangelands require different grazing solutions. Insights from the workshops will guide future co-creation so project activities respond to farmers’ priorities.
Additional information
The DIGI-Rangeland project brings together partners from 10 countries, coordinating national networks (France, Romania, Greece, Spain, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland), and also disseminating its knowledge within the Balkan network with its Croatian partner. Consult our publications and documents on the project website: https://digirangeland.eu
DIGItal innovation and data technology network for RANGELAND livestock farming systems
Ongoing | 2025-2029
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- France, Romania, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, United kingdom, Switzerland