Exploring Mountain Crops as an Alternative to Livestock Production in the Transformation of Swiss Mountain Agriculture

Isabel Jaisli (), Fabienne Buchmann (), Carmen Forrer () and Roman Grüter ()
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Isabel Jaisli: Zürich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences
Fabienne Buchmann: Zürich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences
Carmen Forrer: Zürich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences
Roman Grüter: Zürich University of Applied Sciences, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences

Chapter 13 in Innovation and the Future of Rural Development in Europe, 2026, pp 335-362 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The Grison mountain area is characterized by high mountains, decentralized settlement, and extensive agriculture. Once reliant on mountain arable farming for sustenance, different factors led to its decline around 150 years ago. This gave rise to a shift towards livestock-dominated agriculture and grassland encroachment. However, the Swiss livestock sector is projected to diminish due to evolving consumer preferences and policies, leaving uncertain implications for mountain agriculture. In recent decades, plant production has been revived as a niche activity to maintain traditions, diversify production portfolios or to enable product innovation. To explore the potential of crop production to diversify mountain farming, a participatory foresight study was conducted within the EU-project MOVING. The study involved workshops, interviews, and surveys with local stakeholders and experts to identify influential factors and construct scenarios for the future of mountain crop production and associated value chains. The study revealed the benefits, potential and needs of strengthening arable farming in the region. A vision for the future of Grison mountains therefore builds upon a more diversified system that integrates crop with livestock production on the one hand but also connects traditions with innovations along the whole value chain. To enable this desired transformation in the pursuit of sustainable development and the empowerment of mountainous regions, innovation emerges as a pivotal element. Especially on farm level, supporting and enabling innovations is urgently needed. This can only be achieved by reorienting agricultural policies and adaptations of agricultural training.

Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-22570-2_13

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