Alain
Gaume
Leader Proficrops
ACW Changins Wädenswil
Postfach 185
8820 Wädenswil
Schweiz
alain.gaume@acw.admin.ch
Tel. : +41 44 783 61 58
Fax : +41 44 780 62 11
ProfiCrops takes a positive stance in that we are committed to agricultural
activities and crop production in Switzerland; to achieve that goal we
need professional, interdisciplinary and networked research projects. Agroscope
acts as a hub and constitutes the critical mass for such research work.
By launching horizontal programs like ProfiCrops Agroscope provides «interfaces» for
network partners – a truly innovative approach of applied research
in Switzerland.
Sustainability shall be the key requirement. Agroscope’s research
program is supposed to show new approaches for future-oriented
crop production in Switzerland within liberalized markets. The program
aims at utilizing
every option to increase (resource) efficiency and at optimizing
economic and ecological basic requirements. The focus of the initiative
will be
the production of specialities in a higher price bracket and
with high added value, respectively. Swiss households typically spend less
than 10%
of their total expenses on food; this is our opportunity to
persuade consumers to buy high-quality and prestigious local products through
clever marketing
campaigns. Research work is expected to be future-oriented
and to have long-term effects. Short haulage distances, high production
standards,
safe and traceable foods will be the key factors of the future,
which has, in fact, already begun: Switzerland’s agriculture has
assumed a pioneering role for years which deserves to be adequately represented
in the media.