Executive Summary

Agroscope, the federal center of competence for agricultural research, must reduce its regular budget by approximately 10 million francs by the end of 2029. This creates a structural deficit to be managed through thematic refocusing and the elimination of 58 full-time positions (43 of which through terminations). From 2027 onwards, the institution will concentrate on its core tasks: primary production, environmental impacts, and policy advice. Several research areas such as healthy nutrition, alternative crops, and vertical farming will be discontinued or reduced.

Persons

  • Federal Council (decision-makers; collectively)

Topics

  • Federal budget and cost-cutting measures
  • Agricultural research
  • Organizational restructuring
  • Job cuts

Clarus Lead

Federal savings requirements are forcing Agroscope to fundamentally reorient its research agenda. For Swiss agriculture, this means a withdrawal from forward-looking fields such as vertical farming and new food production—precisely at a time when innovations for food security are becoming more urgent. The focus on primary production and environmental impacts signals a prioritization favoring conventional agriculture, while alternative production systems lose importance.

Detailed Summary

The cost-cutting package results from multi-year budget cuts by Parliament and the Federal Council. The regular annual budget will be gradually reduced by approximately 10 million francs from 2023 to the end of 2029. Previous relief measures proved insufficient, making structural changes unavoidable.

The thematic refocusing from 2027 onwards concentrates Agroscope on four core areas: research on primary production, environmental impacts of agriculture, statutory implementation tasks, and policy advice. In parallel, the preservation of genetic resources (plants, animals, microorganisms) will continue. Research areas such as healthy nutrition, new food products, alternative niche crops, spices and medicinal plants, and vertical farming will be eliminated entirely. In other areas, partial reductions will occur.

The elimination of 58 full-time positions is primarily intended to occur through natural attrition, vacancies, and fixed-term contracts. Nevertheless, 43 employees are affected by direct terminations, which will be implemented according to federal social plan provisions. Parallel to thematic refocusing, organizational and infrastructural optimizations as well as synergies with other research institutions are being examined. The site strategy with Campus Posieux (FR), research centers Changins (VD) and Reckenholz (ZH), and decentralized experimental stations will remain in place.

Key Statements

  • Agroscope must reduce annual budget by 10 million francs by 2029
  • 58 full-time positions will be eliminated, 43 through terminations
  • Research focus shifts toward primary production and environmental impacts
  • Forward-looking fields (vertical farming, new food products) will be discontinued

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence: What data demonstrates that the selected research priorities (primary production, environmental impacts) will remain competitive long-term, while areas such as vertical farming and alternative food products are discontinued?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent do the Federal Council's priorities for "location-appropriate agriculture" influence research orientation, and are innovative approaches systematically disadvantaged as a result?

  3. Causality: Are the budget cuts unavoidable, or were there alternatives such as reallocations from other federal funds or partnerships with private research institutions?

  4. Feasibility: How will it be ensured that the elimination of 43 positions occurs in a socially acceptable manner, and what skill losses result from the loss of these specialists?

  5. Side Effects: What research gaps emerge from the discontinuation of vertical farming and nutrition innovation research, and who will fill these gaps?

  6. External Validation: Were external experts consulted regarding the impacts of this refocusing on the competitiveness of Swiss agriculture?

Sources

Primary Source: Federal Council – Communication on Agroscope Cost-Cutting Strategy (16.06.2026) – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/z9I9uqPNLh8jkj_i9fwzk

Verification Status: ✓ 16.06.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 16.06.2026