The Department Suisse Romande was founded in 2016 in order to adequately address the specific agricultural challenges in Western Switzerland. These must be taken into account both in on-farm research and in knowledge transfer.
In close collaboration with the researchers at FiBL in Frick, the Department Suisse Romande uses its expertise to promote the development of the organic sector in the French-speaking cantons. To this end, projects are developed in cooperation with local stakeholders on region-specific topics that are important for French-speaking Switzerland – covering the entire value chain from field to fork.
Main areas of work
- Agroforestry
- Fruit growing
- Agricultural and food sector
- Arable farming
- Forage production
- Vegetable and herb cultivation
- Soil quality
- Animal health and welfare
- Viticulture and oenology
The Department Suisse Romande maintains good relations with French-speaking partner organisations, particularly with FiBL France and the Belgian Research Institute for Organic Agriculture and Agroecology (Institut de recherche en agriculture biologique) BRIOAA.
The magazine "Bioactualités" and the platform www.bioactualites.ch are the two main communication channels.
Contact Department Suisse Romande
| Department Suisse Romande | ||
| Araldi Flore | Deputy Head of the Department Suisse RomandeAgroforestry theme coordinationresearch and advisory services fruits and special crops | +41 (0)62 865-1726 |
| Berbain Claire | Media spokesperson / press relations (Western Switzerland), editing of Bioactualités magazine and bioactualites.ch, editing of publications | +41 (0)77 441-7582 |
| Charles Raphaël | Member of the Management BoardHead of the Department Suisse Romanderesearch and advisory services cropping systems and soil quality | +41 (0)62 865-1725 |
| Dind Alice | Research and advisory services agroforestry and sustainability | +41 (0)62 865-0403 |
| Farny Michaël | Research and advisory services in viticulture and oenology | +41 (0)62 865-7235 |
| Heckendorn Felix | Endoparasites in ruminants | +41 (0)62 865-7293 |
| Hevia Rebecca | Agricultural economics, economic analysis of farming systems and agri-food innovations | +41 (0)62 510-5305 |
| Marchand David | Research and advisory services viticulture | +41 (0)62 865-0449 |
| Nicod Ludivine | Research and advisory services food quality, safety and processing | +41 (0)62 865-0497 |
| Reichlin Benjamin | Research and advisory services in arable farming and soil quality | +41 (0)62 510-5326 |
| Schmid Nathaniel | Staff commiteeResearch and advisory services animal and forage production | +41 (0)62 865-1724 |
| Schwitter Patricia | research and project management vegetable and herb production | +41 (0)62 865-1742 |
| Sonnard Robin | Research and advisory services viticulture and fruits | +41 (0)62 865-6372 |
| Staehli Pamela | Research and advisory services in animal health and welfare | +41 (0)62 865-6361 |
| Wendling Marina | Research and advisory services arable crops and soil quality | +41 (0)62 865-1728 |
Other contact persons for Romandy in Frick
- Pascale Cornuz: Biodiversity
- Jacques Fuchs: Compost
- Felix Heckendorn: Animal health