MIXED

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Switzerland

  • Hochstamm Suisse and FiBL    

In Switzerland MIXED is implemented jointly by Hochstamm Suisse and FiBL. The project focuses on fruit trees and livestock with the involvement of one group of farmers practicing MiFAS (Mixed Farming and Agroforestry Systems).

Swiss farms are small structures and can be characterized as ‘family farming’. A typical Swiss tree production system includes around 100 fruit trees per hectare. More extensive fruit tree production also exists, with for example 20 trees per hectare but here the focus is rather on the ’intensive’ and ‘typical’ system. The Swiss MiFAS is primarily engaged in North Western and Central Switzerland.   

Swiss Agroforestry Systems

The Swiss MiFAS is focused on apples, pears, cherries, mirabelle, quinces, and plums, in association with livestock production. In Switzerland, there are more than 2’000 fruit-growers, and 60% of the apple and pear orchards are cultivated by fruit-growers with more than 5 ha. This includes around 1’300 tree producers who are members of the Hochstamm Suisse association, including 10% of organic farmers.

The network is characterised by a high level of innovativeness, with for example the development of special harvesting materials requiring fewer manual labour. Value chains are characterised by a high power of intermediaries and retailers, but some farmers adapted by concentrating on the direct market. Farmers are also highly dependent on subsidies and the future Swiss agricultural policy may further support sustainable farming systems through a subsidy system.

Farming associations

The main role of Hochstamm Suisse is to promote their label by making a clear distinction across the range of systems from intensive to more extensive production. The Hochstamm Suisse label requires farmers to meet certain production requirements with a view to support sustainable farming systems.

An increased focus on the contribution of mixed systems to biodiversity may help to support sustainable farming systems. Hochstamm Suisse and other farming associations follow this strategy, but an enhanced collaboration with animal experts is also needed to optimise the Swiss mifas.     

More information on Hochstamm Suisse and Swiss mifas: https://www.hochstammsuisse.ch/

Photos illustrating activities of the network

The Little Owl is the Bird of the Year 2021 in Switzerland. No other bird is as dependent on standard orchards as the Little Owl. Standard trees offer caves in which the Little Owl can build its nest. In the open orchard, it finds enough prey (mice and large insects) for its growing hunger. The Little Owl needs large, contiguous standard orchards that are well connected with other suitable biotopes.
Due to the decrease of extensively managed orchards and decline of orchards in general, a sharp decline set in as from the 1950s, and today the little sprites have pretty much disappeared. The association Hochstamm Suisse is committed to the conservation and promotion of standard orchards in Switzerland.
With the marketing of products from standard orchards at fair prices and innovations in the production process, the association Hochstamm Suisse create the preconditions for this traditional form of cultivation to become profitable again and for producers to preserve, maintain and renew their orchards.
More information about the association: https://www.hochstammsuisse.ch/ (in German)
Six mixed farms in Bangerten, Switzerland with horses, dairy cattle, beef cattle, pigs, sheep, laying hens, fish (carp and trout), and honey bees. Each farm also grows cereals, vegetables, fruit, oil crops, and feed crops. The farmers have been sharing machinery for centuries. The MIXED project is finding ways to support mixed farms, such as those in Bangerten, so they, and their villages, remain resilient into the future.
Sheeps under apple trees. In Bangerten, Switzerland the village restaurant specialises in food made from local products and attracts many day visitors.

Pierre Coulin
Mail:  pierre.coulin@hochstammsuisse.ch
Phone: +41 (0)79 401 36 63

Catherine Pfeifer
Mail: catherine.pfeifer@fibl.org 
Phone: +41 (0)62 865-6380

Sylvain Quiédeville
Mail:  sylvain.quiedeville@fibl.org  
Phone: +41 (0)62 865 04 24

Revised 07.11.2023
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Christine Dilling