The number of farms across the country fell by 1.3% to 49,363 in 2020, while the total area of farmland stayed almost the same, said the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on Tuesday.
At 21.15 hectares, the average size of a Swiss farm has almost doubled in the past 30 years.
Last year, the majority of land was used as natural or grazing fields (604,600 hectares, or 58% of the total), while crops were grown on 38%, vines cultivated on 1.3%, and fruits on 0.7%.
Dairy cows and dairy farmers decreased, by 1.5% and 2.6% respectively, with pork farmers also dropping slightly. Poultry on the other hand is on the increase, with the number of laying hens especially increasing by 10%.
More
More
When there’s plenty of work in the fields, but few workers
This content was published on
Swiss farmers are having to improvise to find enough labourers during the coronavirus pandemic to help with the harvest.
Just under 150,000 people worked on Swiss farms in 2020: over half of them part-time, and three-quarters of them as part of a family holding. It’s not clear how the pandemic affected the agricultural market, although also on Tuesday, the Caritas association launched a nationwide appeal External linkfor voluntary workers to help out on Swiss farms in mountain regions throughout the summer.
Organic growth
As for the number of farmers operating organically (as defined by the 1997 federal ordinanceExternal link on organic farming), this also continued to increase last year, by 3.8% to a total of 7,561 farms – around 15% of the total.
Agriculture, and organic farming, will be the underlying topic of two national votes on June 13 next, when Swiss citizens will decide on a pair of people’s initiatives demanding an end to the use of synthetic pesticides in the country.
More
More
Calls grow louder for pesticide-free food and water
This content was published on
Two separate proposals are demanding a reform of Switzerland’s agriculture and food production sectors, phasing out the use of synthetic pesticides.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Main Swiss farmers’ group alarmed by planned pesticide ban
This content was published on
Why the leading farmers organisation warns against two people's initiatives trying to ban the use of pesticides for the Swiss agricultue sector.
Pesticide initiatives: a ‘David-versus-Goliath’ campaign
This content was published on
Organic farmer and Green Party politician Kilian Baumann explains why he is voting in favour of both pesticide initiatives on June 13.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.