Norway government declares intentions to stockpile grain
Date
6/27/2024 7:41:38 AM
(MENAFN) Norway's government has embarked on a strategic initiative to bolster its food security by signing a significant agreement to stockpile grain. Announced by the Agriculture Ministry, the deal involves collaboration with four private companies and aims to prepare for unforeseen emergencies exacerbated by factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and climate change.
According to the Ministry's statement released on Tuesday, the decision to build a contingency stock of food grains underscores Norway's commitment to readiness in the face of potential crises. Agriculture and Food Minister Geir Pollestad outlined the plan, detailing the initial storage of 30,000 tons of grain starting next year, with an ambitious goal to expand this reserve to 82,500 tons by 2029.
The Norwegian government will own the stockpiled grain, which will be housed in facilities across the country. Minister Pollestad emphasized that this initiative aims to secure a sufficient supply of grain to sustain the population for three months during a crisis scenario, as highlighted in discussions with Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Historically, Norway maintained grain reserves until they were discontinued in 2003. However, a recent recommendation by an emergency preparedness commission in 2022 prompted a reassessment, leading to the current initiative. Last year, Norway earmarked 63 million kroner ($6 million) annually for reinstating the grain stockpiling program, demonstrating a proactive approach to safeguarding national food security.
Notably, Norway hosts the renowned Global Seed Vault on the Arctic Archipelago of Spitsbergen, often referred to as the "doomsday" vault. This facility, designed to protect global food supplies, houses an extensive collection of seed samples from around the world, further emphasizing Norway's commitment to long-term resilience in food security planning.
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