Knowledge dissemination in the Swiss vegetable production

A survey on knowledge dissemination in the vegetable sector and on information sources used by vegetable farms was conducted in 2010. 226 questionnaires returned by growers and advisors were analyzed. Information domains were: technical aspects of production, market access and farm economics. Results show that growers attached a high value to their own basic knowledge and information transferred through inter-farm personal contacts. In addition, knowledge available from advisory services or acquired at information days for farmers was also considered to be of major importance. Most of the growers do not recognize relevant gaps in the available knowledge in any of the covered domains. However, half of them wish an improvement in the electronic dissemination pathways such as internet or other media. The results of this survey will help to focus and improve knowledge dissemination within the Swiss horticultural sector.