2026 – The Year of Organic Farming in Western Switzerland
bio.inspecta, FiBL and Bio Suisse are celebrating 10 years of joint commitment.
Three key players in the organic movement – FiBL, Bio Suisse and bio.inspecta – are celebrating a decade of joint commitment in the French-speaking cantons of Switzerland. Together, they are inviting the agricultural sector, the public, the media and socio-economic stakeholders to discover the extraordinary dynamism of organic farming.
Organic farming in Switzerland has seen continuous growth over the past ten years. This development is driven by particularly high organic consumption globally and a market volume of more than 4.1 billion Swiss francs by 2024. Organic products now account for more than 12% of the retail sector, and almost a fifth of agricultural land is farmed organically. Over 7,200 farms are now certified organic.
French-speaking Switzerland, with more than 1,000 organic farms, plays a key role in this context. Key factors include the diversity of production, a strong commitment to regional marketing and agri-food innovations – particularly in the field of plant-based proteins. This momentum is supported by a dense network of farms and research projects, as well as a strong awareness among consumers of sustainability issues.
Events
17 September 2026
BioDiVerger, located at the Domaine de Marcelin, is an innovative experimental orchard where new approaches to diverse and sustainable fruit production have been tested since 2013. Agroforestry and permaculture are combined to promote biodiversity, reduce the use of inputs and develop more resilient cultivation systems.
On 17 September 2026, one of the activities marking our 10th anniversary will take us to BioDiVerger in Morges.
A conference not to be missed!
To close this anniversary year, the conference ‘Le Bio e(s)t la Suisse | Die Schweiz is(s)t bio’ will take place on Thursday 10 December 2026 in the event hall in Renens (VD). The event is aimed at stakeholders in the organic sector in Switzerland, political and economic decision-makers across the entire value chain, as well as interested professionals and other stakeholders. The presentations will offer different perspectives and facilitate a wide-ranging exchange of views.
Thursday, 10 December 2026 at the event hall in Renens (VD)
Cost: Admission CHF 90 | Lunch CHF 40 | Complimentary aperitif
All presentations will be in French, without translation.
Registration: By 14 November 2026 here
Roadshows
Date to follow
As part of the anniversary year "2026 – The Organic Year in Western Switzerland", the roadshow will also stop in in the canton of Jura. Look forward to fascinating insights into organic farming and the opportunity to exchange ideas with experts. Further programme details will be announced soon.
Date to follow
The anniversary roadshow will also stop in Fribourg. Together, bio.inspecta, Bio Suisse and FiBL will showcase the diversity and innovative spirit of organic farming. Further programme details will be announced soon.
Looking back at past anniversary activities
A farm prepared for the challenges of tomorrow
The Challandes family farm is an impressive example of how innovation and diversity can strengthen the resilience of an agricultural business. The former dairy farm underwent a fundamental transformation when it converted to organic farming.
Today, its diverse crop rotation includes bread grains, quinoa, rapeseed, lentils, lupins, flax and camelina, as well as contract seed production. Part of the harvest is processed directly on the farm using its own oil press, while the protein-rich press cakes are used as feed for the suckler cow herd. This diversity in production and marketing makes an important contribution to the farm’s economic resilience.
Read the full report: Field visit in Fontaines (NE): Organic farming builds resilience in the face of extreme heat (in French)
Domaine des Dailles: an open-air laboratory
Organic farmer and miller Olivier Studer has been developing arable farming systems adapted to the specific conditions of Central Valais for several years. His approach focuses on diversification, on-farm processing and local value creation.
As a long-standing FiBL partner, he makes his fields available for trials with different varieties of faba beans and cultivation methods. Despite spring frosts and persistent drought, the first trials demonstrate the potential of this crop – as well as the importance of further developing the value chain.
Read the full report: Field visit in St-Léonard (VS): Faba beans take centre stage in Valais organic farming (in French)
Les Petites Fraises: diversity as the basis for a resilient farm
At an altitude of almost 1,000 metres, Valérie Piccand and Olivier Gerber have spent more than 20 years developing an agricultural model based on diversification, autonomy and resilience.
On around 30 hectares, the farm combines organic dairy production, agroforestry, bread grain cultivation and on-farm processing. At the heart of their approach is the question of how agricultural systems can better cope with climatic, economic and regulatory changes. The couple focuses on simple, autonomous systems, local value creation and minimal dependence on external inputs.
Read the full report: Field visit in Les Reussilles (BE): Resilience, agroforestry and diversification (in French)
Domaine des Dryades: a pioneering agronomic approach working with nature
André Bélard represents a new generation of winegrowers fundamentally rethinking their cultivation practices. A trained oenologist, he has been farming organically since 2019 and founded Domaine des Dryades in 2023.
His agroecological approach focuses on living soils, cover crops and organic matter, the integration of trees and diverse crops, and strengthening plants’ natural resilience. Observation and the promotion of natural balances play a central role.
Read the full report: Field visit in Rivaz (VD): Organic viticulture in transition (in French)
The Läser brothers: innovative, diverse and committed
At Domaine de l'Abbaye, Thomas and Martial Läser presented an agricultural model based on diversification, on-farm processing and direct sales.
Through a variety of farm activities and sales channels – from processed grains and oils to food products and livestock – they strengthen the farm’s economic resilience while reducing its dependence on market fluctuations.
The Läser brothers also work closely with FiBL to test new cultivation methods under practical conditions and further develop organic production systems. Observation, practical trials and knowledge sharing with other farmers are at the heart of their approach.
Read the full report: Field visit in Presinge (GE): Organic farming between innovation and agronomic challenges (in French)