Challenges and opportunities in protein crop production: Finnish farmers’ perspectives on legumes and oilseeds

The cultivation of grain legumes and oilseeds in Finland is limited, despite their ecological benefits and potential for enhancing protein security. While these crops provide essential protein and ecosystem services through nitrogen fixation, farmers are hesitant to grow them due to perceived high risks and low profitability, leading to a heavy reliance on imported soybeans for livestock feed: 70 % of the EU's supply and 85 % in Finland. Hence, a survey was conducted in 2018 among 14,000 Finnish farmers, with 503 respondents. Over 80 % felt knowledgeable about producing legumes and oilseeds and recognized the importance of protein self-sufficiency. However, farmers expressed a need for more specific technical information on cultivation and the use of domestic protein crops as feed. Interest in protein crops was particularly strong among organic farmers, who value legumes for their benefits as bio-fertilizers and break-crops. Additionally, factors such as agricultural policies, subsidies, and contract agreements significantly influenced farmers' willingness to produce protein crops. Domestic protein crops in Finland were perceived as high-risk and costly. To improve cultivation reliability and achieve long-term self-sufficiency in plant protein, effective agricultural policies, the development of earlier and winter-hardy cultivars, and a national market network among producers, processors, and livestock farmers are essential.