Chapter 12. Links between Agricultural Production and Rural Development: The Norwegian Experience

摘要

From an historical perspective, the rural areas in Norway have been very dependent on agricultural activities. The agricultural sector in Norway is now undergoing a period of change and employs fewer and fewer people. Up until now the arable (productive) land from the farms that leave the sector has, to a large extent, been farmed (rented) by neighbouring farms. Grazing land and other, extensively used land has not been rented out to neighbours to the same extent. Farmhouses change from being permanent houses to becoming holiday homes. How do these changes influence factors such as the agricultural landscape, the rural economy and the rural society? The Ministry of Agriculture and Food has developed policies in order to ease and help create new jobsand new businesses in the rural areas. Many of these new businesses are either linked to farms, farm products or the agricultural landscape (i.e. these factors are important parts of the business plan). Lately, the tourism industry in Norway has shown increasing interest in supporting the maintenance of agricultural landscapes and rural settlements. Many tourists seem to choose Norway as their holiday destination because of the scenic landscapes of wild nature combined with rural and agricultural settlements and landscapes. How strong are the links between the agricultural landscape, the actual farm and the new rural businesses? In this paper, the Norwegian case will be used as a starting point in exploring the links between agricultural production and rural development. Some examples of how agricultural policies can be used to achieve Norway's rural development policy goals will also be given.