The Effectivity of Land Consolidation in Finland
Kalle Konttinen
In the last two decades land consolidations in Finland have been concentrated in agricultural areas. The main goal of the projects has been reduction of the agricultural cost. Key figures when assessing the impact of a land consolidation project are parcel size and distance to the farmhouse. In winter 2015?2016 NLS Finland director Timo Potka did a comprehensive study about the development of land consolidations in Finland. The study was commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The study included a detailed survey of the 17 areas in which land consolidation was carried out between 10 and 20 years ago, four areas where land consolidation was done roughly 100 years ago and four areas where land consolidation was not implemented although the possibility was surveyed 15 years ago. The study found out that the structure of the parcels in these areas did not deteriorate. The average parcel size increased slightly in the years following land consolidation. A similar development was observed in areas where land consolidation was not implemented. Therefore the doubling of the average parcel size in land consolidations could be seen as a long term effect. The distance between farmhouse and parcel was observed to have increased slightly through the years. The main reason for this is the enlargement of the average Finnish farm. In his report Timo Potka proposed several improvements to land consolidation activity in Finland. Many of these proposals are now being implemented.
Event: Symposium on Land Consolidation and Readjustment for Sustainable Development
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