What drought-resistant crops are Swiss farmers experimenting with?

According to Parmelin's visit to Carrouge, the pilot company in collaboration with Agroscope experiments with fodder sorghum, a cereal native to Africa that requires little water after sowing and grows even without precipitation. Sorghum is less nutrient-dense for livestock than corn and is toxic when the plant is young. The company is also testing tree species (ash, willow, linden, mulberry, alder) as hedges to verify their resistance to drought and use as fodder.

What aid has the Confederation allocated to farmers affected by drought?

The Confederation announced 54 million francs in interest-free loans to support cash-strapped farms. In addition, it suspended customs duties on imports of hay and temporarily reduced customs tariffs on maize intended for animal feed. At the beginning of August, it promised to disburse the full amount of direct payments even if some conditions for the concession were not met, thus alleviating the administrative burden.

Why is forage shortage such a serious problem for farmers?

Forage shortages are one of the main consequences of summer drought. Some farmers had to resort to winter feed stocks and, in some cases, even had to prematurely send their animals to the slaughterhouse for lack of food. This situation creates significant liquidity crises that threaten business continuity and agricultural household income.

What is Agroscope's role in this situation?

Agroscope is the Confederation's centre of competence for agronomic research. Collaborate with private farms to experiment with potentially more drought-resistant crops, such as forage sorghum and tree essences. The goal is to develop lasting solutions to adapt the Swiss agricultural sector to climate change and periods of recurrent water stress.

How can farmers access CHF 54 million in interest-free loans?

The source does not specify the exact administrative channel or deadlines for the request. Farmers should contact the agriculture services of their canton to receive detailed information on how to apply for interest-free loans allocated by the Confederation and managed at cantonal-local level.

Feed shortages: 54 million in federal aid (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 27 August 2026

Farmer in a drought-affected field with modern agricultural facilities in the background.

Parmelin visits a company that experiments with anti-drought crops. Confederation disburses CHF 54 million in loans and reduces duties on hay and corn.

Context

In a nutshell

Guy Parmelin visits farm that grows forage sorghum and other drought-resistant species
Confederation allocates CHF 54 million in interest-free loans for farmers in crisis
Suspended customs duties on hay; reduced tariffs on maize for animal feed

Key facts

When: Recent (after Rösti's visit the day before)
Where: Carrouge, Vodese countryside
Who: Guy Parmelin (President Confederation, Head DEFR), Albert Rösti (Head DATEC), Swiss farmers
What: Visit to a company that experiments with forage sorghum and drought-resistant tree species
Aid amount: CHF 54 million in interest-free loans
Trade measures: Suspension of duties on hay; reduction of tariffs on maize for animal feed
Partner: Agroscope (federal competence center for agronomic research)

Guy Parmelin, president of the Confederation and head of the Federal Department of Economy, Training and Research (DEFR), visited a farm in Carrouge to underline the Swiss government's solidarity with the agricultural world, which is grappling with a severe summer drought that has compromised fodder production. The visit comes the day after a similar mission by Albert Rösti, federal councillor in charge of the Federal Department of the Environment (DATEC).

The company visited, in collaboration with Agroscope, the federal competence center for agronomic research, experiments with alternative crops

Operational details

Economic and strategic implications for the sector

The announced federal interventions are divided into two levels: immediate trade measures (duty suspension, tariff reduction) and direct financial support. The CHF 54 million in interest-free loans is an essential tool for farmers facing cash flow problems resulting from rising feed and food costs. Without sufficient liquidity, many companies risk bankruptcy at the very moment when they should face the investment in expensive fodder available abroad.

The suspension of duties on hay represents a direct intervention on the final price: lower customs tariffs mean cheaper foreign hay, making it more sustainable for Swiss farmers to source across borders during the crisis. The temporary reduction of tariffs on maize for animal feed pursues the same goal: to increase access to feed at lower costs. These measures recognize that, in the short term, import is the only solution to fill the production deficit caused by drought.

Structural adaptation strategies

Beyond emergency measures, the experiment conducted at the company in Carrouge represents a structural response to climate volatility. Forage sorghum, although with nutritional limitations compared to maize, offers an alternative less dependent on frequent rainfall. This is

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Key points

How to Access Federal Support

Swiss farmers experiencing liquidity difficulties due to drought can contact their respective cantonal authorities to inquire about the local management of applications for interest-free federal loans. Although the source does not specify the exact administrative channel or deadlines, federal regulations on support for the agricultural sector typically provide that applications be submitted through cantonal agricultural services.

Reduced tariffs on hay and maize are automatically applied at Swiss border crossings and do not require specific actions by farmers; the benefit is reflected in the prices offered by suppliers and importers of animal feed. This means that procurement costs should naturally decrease in the coming months, alleviating some of the financial pressure.

Regarding direct federal payments, the Swiss Confederation has clarified that the full amount will be disbursed even if certain formal conditions are not fully met. This temporary relaxation of the rules recognizes the exceptional nature of the situation and relieves farmers from complicated bureaucratic requirements.

Next Steps: Research, Innovation, and Planning

With a view to structural adaptation, farmers interested in experimenting with alternative crops such as sorghum or tree species can contact Agroscope to access research data and technical consulting provided by the federal center. The Carrouge facility serves as a reference point for observing these crops under real field conditions in Vaud, but climate challenges affect all of Switzerland.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What drought-resistant crops are Swiss farmers experimenting with?: According to Parmelin's visit to Carrouge, the pilot company in collaboration with Agroscope experiments with fodder sorghum, a cereal native to Africa that requires little water after sowing and grows even without precipitation. Sorghum is less nutrient-dense for livestock than corn and is toxic when the plant is young. The company is also testing tree species (ash, willow, linden, mulberry, alder) as hedges to verify their resistance to drought and use as fodder.
What aid has the Confederation allocated to farmers affected by drought?: The Confederation announced 54 million francs in interest-free loans to support cash-strapped farms. In addition, it suspended customs duties on imports of hay and temporarily reduced customs tariffs on maize intended for animal feed. At the beginning of August, it promised to disburse the full amount of direct payments even if some conditions for the concession were not met, thus alleviating the administrative burden.
Why is forage shortage such a serious problem for farmers?: Forage shortages are one of the main consequences of summer drought. Some farmers had to resort to winter feed stocks and, in some cases, even had to prematurely send their animals to the slaughterhouse for lack of food. This situation creates significant liquidity crises that threaten business continuity and agricultural household income.
What is Agroscope's role in this situation?: Agroscope is the Confederation's centre of competence for agronomic research. Collaborate with private farms to experiment with potentially more drought-resistant crops, such as forage sorghum and tree essences. The goal is to develop lasting solutions to adapt the Swiss agricultural sector to climate change and periods of recurrent water stress.
How can farmers access CHF 54 million in interest-free loans?: The source does not specify the exact administrative channel or deadlines for the request. Farmers should contact the agriculture services of their canton to receive detailed information on how to apply for interest-free loans allocated by the Confederation and managed at cantonal-local level.