Abstract
Organic Soybean cultivation experiences an upscale at the moment in Switzerland. As in the rest of Europe, Switzerland is still heavily dependent on protein imports. After years of stakeholders efforts of the development of a value chain for organic soybeans for human nutrition, various attempts to develop the soybean cultivation for feed proved to be fruitful despite the fact that Swiss price level is beyond competition for world market prices. The organic farmers themselves decided to become, at least partially, more independent from overseas soybean imports by opting for organic soybeans of European origin since 2019. Furthermore, Bio Suisse decided that from 2022 on, all ruminants under Bio Suisse certification must be fed with feed of Swiss origin, concentrates are limited to 5% of the ration. Since many years numerous projects are carried out to increase the domestic protein production by developing suitable production systems for peas, faba beans, lupines and soybeans with stakholders along the value chain. Since more than 30 years, Swiss breeders successfully develop 00 to 000 soybean varieties with a focus on human nutrition, organic soybean cultivation and the respective value chains from breeding to endproduct is developing strongly. This article will shed light on particular aspects and drivers, specific measures, relevant projects and cultivation techniques of organic soybean production in Switzerland in the past years and will give an outlook on the future of organic soybeans.
Highlights
This article will shed light on aspects of organic soybean production in Switzerland, specific measures and relevant projects of stakeholders to increase the domestic production of organic soybean for food and feed and drivers that increase the demand
In 2014, 1500 ha of soybean were cultivated in Switzerland, with a total yield of 3882 tons. 2000 t were used as feed
The organic soybean cultivation increased from 52 ha in 2010 to 306 ha in 2018, and further to 461 ha in 2019 (Willer and Lernoud 2019; FiBL Statistics, 2020) the organic soybean production area is expected to increase in 2020 by more than 60% (Oral Information, Bio Suisse 2020)
Summary
This article will shed light on aspects of organic soybean production in Switzerland, specific measures and relevant projects of stakeholders to increase the domestic production of organic soybean for food and feed and drivers that increase the demand. A large part of the technical literature consulted for this article is published in German and French language on the website bioactualites.ch as well as from the fact sheets made available to farmers and advisors involved in organic or conventional farming. They are made available to a broad audience of farmers under the webpage organic-farmknowledge.org which is offered in 14 languages. The content of technical leaflets evolves with trials and experiences on projects carried out Their analysis allows following the evolution of practices in organic agriculture. An analogous crossreference with current scientific literature clarifies the evolution of the problems as well as persistent or new research needs
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