viljelmät

Viljelmät are cultivated plots of land used for growing crops. In Finnish agricultural terminology, the term refers to arable land actively brought under crop production, as opposed to permanent pasture, forest, or built-up land. The word derives from vilja, grain, and has historically signified fields set aside for crop cultivation.

Typical viljelmät include fields used for cereals such as kaura (oats), ohra (barley), vehnä (wheat), and ruista (rye), as well as root crops like peruna (potato) and industrial crops such as sokerijuurikas (sugar beet) or öljykasvit (oil crops) like rapsi (rapeseed). In practice, viljelmät may be used for mixed cropping and for forage crops destined for animal feed. They are managed through seasonal agricultural practices, including tillage, sowing, fertilization, weed and pest control, and harvest. Crop rotation is commonly employed to maintain soil fertility and reduce disease pressure, while some fields may lie fallow in certain years under policy or management decisions.

Policy and economics: viljelmät are central to land use statistics and farming subsidies in Finland and the wider European Union. The amount and quality of arable land influence eligibility for payments under the Common Agricultural Policy and related environmental schemes, which promote soil health, biodiversity, and sustainable nutrient management.

Environmental considerations: viljelmät practices affect soil structure, erosion, nutrient runoff, and water quality. Sustainable management, including reduced tillage and precise fertilizer use, aims to balance crop production with long-term soil health and environmental protection.

See also: Agriculture in Finland, arable land, crop rotation, common agricultural policy.