Poor crop yields: Swiss agriculture is in a potato crisis

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Politicians must ensure that producing agriculture is strengthened and production promoted, Swiss Farmers’ Association Director Martin Rufer said at the general meeting of the Association of Swiss Potato Producers (VSKP), according to the Agricultural Information Service (LID).

The current policy weakens plant production through the withdrawal of active ingredients and strict requirements. This means that producers would have fewer and fewer pesticides available. According to previous information, there is no approved insecticide against wireworm.

The problems in Swiss potato production are a symptom of deeper challenges within the entire agricultural and food industry, the LID announced on Friday. The shortage of high-quality crops for sowing and the limited availability of imports have exacerbated the problem over the past three years. This means that potato producers face major problems at the start of the season.

The industry is adapting and looking for ways to make the most of available resources, the report said. Increasing the planting distance between the tubers or passing on residual amounts of plant seeds are intended to maximize the existing stock.

Companies should also start producing plant seeds themselves to strengthen the independence of potato production, said Lukas de Rougemont, chairman of the Swiss Seed Producers Association Swisssem at the VSKP general meeting.

In the long term, the sector’s goal is to develop new, more resilient potato varieties and optimize cultivation techniques, according to the LID. These measures are intended to address challenges such as climate change.

(SDA)

Source:Blick