The 19th and 20th centuries

As elsewhere in the country, both employment in farming and the area of land worked reached their maximum in the 1860s, and then began to decline. The fjords became an important goal for tourists in the second half of the 19th century, and tourism quickly grew into an important summertime industry. .

The goat has been important for agriculture in Geirangerfjord because she manages well in the steep terrain. Photo: Finn LoftesnesSpecialisation

At the turn of the century, centralised dairies came into operation and the traditional cheese and butter production on each individual farm ceased. Farming gradually changed in character from being mixed to becoming specialised in goat and sheep husbandry. Goats became specially important because they were particularly well suited to the steep fjord landscape.

Abandoned farms

Most mountainside farms were abandoned in the first half of the 20th century, and in the second half of the century many of the farms in central parts of the fjord settlements also ceased to be worked. This was a response to the general increased mechanisation of Norwegian farming and the growing import of foodstuffs, which resulted in reduced prices and poorer profitability. The population also dropped accordingly.

During the last decade, increasing numbers of farms with road links have ceased to be worked as independent farms, but they have not been abandoned.