Agriculture

An important theme is the economy of Norway, among others, thanks to the abundance of fish in coastal waters, fisheries, although the actual reduction in catches. Of great significance in the economy plays a forestry, forests occupy 26% of the country. Norway has one of the lowest in Europe, the proportion of agricultural land – 3% of the total area of the country. Arable land and orchards occupy 0.9 million hectares of meadows and pastures – 0.1 million hectares. Agriculture is characterized by a high degree of mechanization (1 tractor falls on a 6.3 ha utilized) and consumption of fertilizer – 199 kg per 1 hectare (2000). The basis of agricultural production is to keep cattle (1011 thousand units – 1992), mainly the type of milk and sheep (2.3 million units), in the north – reindeer. Universal is a fur farm animals, especially foxes. Due to the short growing season in Norway are grown, with cereals mainly barley (harvest 2000) – 590 thousand. t and oats – 450 thousand. t, in addition to the potatoes – 450 thousand. t and fodder crops. The increasing economic importance of gaining the cultivation of vegetables and fruit trees, mainly in the southern part of the country.