Gypsum Treatment Gains Interest in Åland

Farmers Encouraged to Join in Autumn 

Gypsum application will continue in Åland in autumn 2025, with farmer recruitment currently underway. The goal is to treat approximately 100 hectares, focusing on fields where gypsum has not been applied before. To reach farmers, information has been shared through newspaper advertisements and local events.

 Engaging Farmers at Local Events

© Sari Väisänen

Farmers’ Day brought together companies, producers, experts, and other stakeholders to discuss various agricultural practices. Representatives from the GYPREG project, along with experts from the mainland Finland-based GYPSUM project — Mats Willner and Niklas Grönroos (Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment) — provided insights into gypsum treatment. Many farmers visited the GYPREG booth to ask questions and expressed interest in applying gypsum to their fields.

The following day, the Foundation organized its own meeting with the Åland Advisory Panel, which also welcomed other interested participants. Although external participation was limited, the discussion was engaging and sparked early ideas on how to establish a permanent operating model for gypsum treatment in Åland. A presentation on the GYPSUM project’s results, experiences, and farmer feedback laid the groundwork for the discussion.

 Farmers’ Views on Gypsum Treatment

© Sari Väisänen

Senior researcher Virpi Lehtoranta from the Finnish Environment Institute presented the results of a farmer survey conducted at the end of 2024. The results showed that nearly 70% of farmers in Åland were at least somewhat open to gypsum treatment. Key reasons for their interest included improved soil health and the fact that gypsum treatment is free of charge for farmers. However, some farmers — particularly those in lake catchment areas — wanted more information on the long-term impacts on soil and crops before making a commitment.

 Future Steps

The event also highlighted upcoming laboratory analyses of soil samples collected in Åland as part of the project. A local farmer shared personal experiences with gypsum treatment, and a representative from an environmental authority offered their perspective on the topic. With growing interest and farmer engagement, the project aims to further explore gypsum treatment as a sustainable solution for improving soil quality in Åland.

© Maija Salmiovirta

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