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On the farm, Jakob Andersson runs an organic arable operation covering around 200 hectares, where the crop rotation includes oats, wheat, barley, grass seed and beans. Legumes are an important part of the crop rotation, but for more farmers to be willing to grow more, both stable demand and functioning market structures are required.

 

Jakob took over the farming on the family farm in 2001. The generational handover took place a few years later and today he runs the business with some help from his brother. In addition to crop farming, the farm also engages in forestry and the sale of firewood and pellets.

 

Organic since the 1990s

 

The farm’s organic focus has its roots in the changes that took place in agricultural policy in the early 1990s. Jakob’s father began converting production as support schemes changed and Sweden joined the EU.

 

Before 1990, the state bought grain at a predetermined price and sold the surplus on the world market, often at a loss. When the system changed, compensation was introduced instead to facilitate the transition of production. Following EU accession in 1994, the conditions changed further.

 

– Before 1990, the state bought the grain at a fixed price and sold the surplus on the world market. When the system changed, we were instead given compensation to switch to other production, and in connection with EU accession we began farming organically here at Röstorp. There were already several others in the area farming organically, so we saw that it worked, says Jakob Andersson.

 

Legumes in the crop rotation

 

Legumes are a recurring crop on the farm. Part of the harvest is sold to Nordisk Råvara for food production. If the quality varies, the beans can instead be sold to other buyers, for example as feed or seed.

 

Legumes offer several benefits in cultivation and contribute to a more varied crop rotation. At the same time, there are limitations on how often they can be grown on the same land.

 

Röstorp is situated in a rural area where the land is divided by woodland and settlements, meaning that conditions for crop cultivation are not always optimal. At Röstorp, however, beans form part of the crop rotation.

 

– You can’t grow legumes more than about every seven years on the same land due to crop rotation diseases. We sometimes intercrop beans with spring wheat, which often yields a higher total harvest and helps keep weeds down,” says Jakob Andersson.

 

Stable demand is key

 

Jakob believes that market demand is crucial if more farmers are to be encouraged to grow more legumes.

Stable prices and clear sales channels would make it easier to plan production.

 

At the same time, it is important that there are players in the value chain who can handle the raw material after harvest, for example through shelling and further processing.

 

– A stable price and stable demand would make a big difference if more people are to dare to invest in pulses. We also need players who can buy up larger volumes and handle processing, such as shelling. Advance contracts for a fixed volume can be risky as the harvest can vary, which is why contracts based on cultivated area often work better, says Jakob Andersson.

 

Investments and support

 

Over the years, the farm has made several investments to develop its operations. For larger investments, various forms of support can be crucial. At the same time, Jakob finds that applying for support can sometimes be time-consuming, as the applications require extensive information and supporting documentation.

 

– For larger investments, support is often needed to make them feasible. At the same time, it can take time to gather all the information required for the applications. Information on the support is available via the Swedish Board of Agriculture, but it takes some effort to produce and compile the supporting documents,” says Jakob Andersson.

 

For advice, he cites examples such as the Rural Economy and Agricultural Society and initiatives like Greppa näringen, which offer training and advice in various areas of agriculture.

 

Challenges in cultivation

 

As with many other farming systems, there are also challenges. For legumes, pests are one of the factors that can limit production.

 

– The bean weevil is probably the biggest obstacle to growing more legumes. Other problems, such as wildlife, can often be managed more effectively in practice in this area, says Jakob Andersson.

 

The future

 

On the farm, there is a constant focus on development and new investments, even though there are currently no major initiatives directly linked to legumes.

 

To take cultivation forward, Jakob highlights above all the value of advice and practical cultivation trials.

 

– Advice and trial crops are important for developing production. Cultivation guidance and seeing the results of trials can help farmers take the next step,” says Jakob Andersson.

 

With an increased focus on plant-based foods and sustainable food production, pulses could play a greater role in the agriculture of the future. At the same time, functioning markets and long-term conditions are required if more farmers are to be willing to invest in their cultivation.