Towards paperless reindeer husbandry

Taking digital steps in reindeer husbandry

Towards a paperless reindeer husbandry – VASAMA 2 project is a follow-up to the 2022–2023 VASAMA 1 project of Lapland University of Applied Sciences and the Finnish Herders Association. Its goal is to move reindeer husbandry information management and communication from manual, paper-based formats, to digitally transmitted information. This change is challenging; as it requires the redesign of decades-old practices, the creation of a completely new database structure enabled by electronic data management, and the development of technology that works in terrain conditions.

FrostBit’s web team’s role in the project:

  • Develop technologies for the electronic collection and storage of reindeer-related data throughout the production chain, from separations to slaughterhouses and meat processing plants.
  • Build a database for data collected from different locations in the reindeer industry.
  • Plan and investigate how cloud services can be introduced at the reindeer herding community level.
  • Create an interface to the reindeer husbandry cloud service as a basis for digitalization.
  • Develop prototypes of key applications that can be used to test and demonstrate the benefits of electronic data management to reindeer herders.
  • Test new solutions for data collection and management in 2–3 reindeer herding communities.
  • Define uniform concepts for electronic data management for the reindeer industry.
  • Maintain close contact with reindeer herders to ensure that the solutions are user-friendly and socially accepted.
PROJECT

Towards paperless reindeer husbandry

SCHEDULE

1.9.2024 – 28.2.2027

BUDGET

369 714 €

CONTACT PERSON

Aku Kuntsi

The project aims to create and test new digital tools, such as interfaces, platforms and software, that support reindeer herders and herders in different areas of reindeer husbandry and stakeholders, such as meat buyers and sellers and regulatory authorities, and enable new business activities. The project will create the capabilities to move towards a paperless reindeer husbandry and start the transition.