Agroscope
Agricultural research for
people, animals and the
environment
Agroscope develops and publishes scientific and technical methods and findings for practical applications, education and advisory services in agriculture on behalf of the authorities, policy makers and the general public. Agroscope is associated with the Federal Office of Agriculture (FOA).
Agroscope promotes eco-, animal-friendly and market-oriented production systems, and supports small-scale family farming. Agroscope’s research efforts focus on top-quality, safe products and healthy nutrition, objectives that are accomplished with expert skills.
Agricultural research on behalf of the
general public and the environment
Joint efforts of Agroscope’s three research stations Changins-Waedenswil ACW, Liebefeld-Posieux ALP, and Reckenholz-Tänikon ART have a common goal: an economic and competitive agricultural sector in line with environmental and social responsibilities.
Work Programme 08-11: Key Elements The quality of food products and con- sumers’ well-being are the key elements of the work programme 08 – 11. Current studies are focussing on measuring the impact of production methods on con- sumer health relevant ingredients of fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meat. In a liberalized market, agricul- tural products must be competitive whilst offering additional advantages.
Tasty food is particularly appreciated by consumers and justifies the work under- taken in sensory analysis.
Further information about the master plan can be found at:
www.agroscope.ch and www.aramis.admin.ch.
Sustainability, competitiveness and consumers’ demands
Developing and improving agricultural production systems are Agroscope’s core activities. Over the coming years, Agroscope will expand its research on the quality and safety of products and nutrition and health. Furthermore, Agroscope will encourage interdiscipli- nary cooperation in agriculture and the environment, the decision-making proc- ess in farm management and the health and well-being of farm animals.
On the Federal level, Agroscope is involved in monitoring and enforcing regulations related to the protection of human beings, animals and the envi- ronment.
Agroscope’s mission
> Professional enforcement of legal tasks
> Healthy, attractive top-quality food products
> Competitive production
> Environmentally responsible production
> Diversified rural areas worth living in
> Horse breeding and husbandry
> Protection and management of natural resources
> Sustainable organisational settings
> Sustainability
> Safe and top-quality animal feed
Overview of the areas of activity
AgriMontana, NutriScope and ProfiCrops are Agroscope Research Programmes (ARP) resulting from inter- and transdisci- plinary collaboration between Agro- scope’s research stations and external partners, and address selected needs of society.
AgriMontana
Agriculture’s contribution to sustainable development in mountainous areas.
(leading house: ART) www.agrimontana.admin.ch
NutriScope
Healthy, safe and high-quality foods of Swiss origin.
(leading house: ALP) www.nutriscope.admin.ch ProfiCrops
Novel ways of competitive crop produc- tion in Switzerland exposed to largely liberalized market conditions.
(leading house: ACW) www.profitcrops.admin.ch
Agroscope
Research programmes
AgriMontana NutriScope ProfiCrops
«By streamlining the efforts of Agroscope and its partners, Agroscope Research Programmes generate added value for agriculture and Swiss consumers.»
Three research programmes
From farm to table
Agroscope’s field of activities covers the entire range in the plant and animal food chain from the farm to the table, whilst addressing social, economic and ecological aspects.
An extensive network
Agroscope’s success is also based on its collaborations and partnerships with national and international research and advisory organizations, its participation in projects of the of the EU research framework programmes and other pro- grammes funded by third parties.
Knowledge sharing and optimum use of infrastructure create a network of researchers, advisors, universities, and other organizations that benefits all the partners involved.
Modern infrastructure
State-of-the-art laboratories and field experimental farms in the main agro- ecological zones of Switzerland provide an excellent infrastructure for research on production systems, foodstuffs and natural resources.
Agroscope’s network
Agroscope: the Swiss Federation’s agricultural research stations www.agroscope.ch
Plant production and products of vegetable origin Dr. Lukas Bertschinger, Deputy Director
Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW Research Station PO Box, 8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland, Tel. +41 44 783 62 02 lukas.bertschinger@acw.admin.ch, www.agroscope.ch Livestock production and products of animal origin Dr. Daniel Guidon, Deputy Director
Agroscope Liebefeld-Posieux ALP Research Station
PO Box 64, 1725 Posieux, Switzerland, Tel. +41 26 407 72 32 daniel.guidon@alp.admin.ch, www.agroscope.ch
Agroecology and organic farming, agricultural economics and engineering
Dr. Stephan Pfefferli, Deputy Director
Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon ART Research Station
Tänikon, 8356 Ettenhausen, Switzerland, Tel. +41 52 368 32 02 stephan.pfefferli@art.admin.ch, www.agroscope.ch
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