Perspectives for plant production in Switzerland in 2050

The basic conditions for plant production in Switzerland will have substantially changed by 2050. The main reasons are global and free markets with increased competition, climate change causing more frequently occurring disasters and scarcity of resources: soil quality will diminish, arable land will disappear and water will no longer be constantly available. Is plant production in Switzerland still feasible and expedient under these circumstances? What are the requirements for plant production in the future? Experts in plant sciences addressed these questions during the project “Perspectives for Plant Production 2050” of the Swiss Society of Agronomy (SSA). The conclusions of the study were, that the production of sufficient foods of high quality is only possible based on scientific and technological progress in plant sciences and production. In addition, conservation of fertile agricultural land and public commodities such as recreational landscapes, secure supply of drinking water and conservation of biodiversity are a necessity. The SSA highlights the requirements for research and development for enabling a plant production of high quality and quantity in the future.