INSTITUTIONS CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND SUPPORTING INNOVATION ADOLPHE MERKLE INSTITUTE
AGROPÔLE (MOLONDIN)
This institute, attached to the University of Fribourg, is an independent research centre for nanoscience and materials science. Some of its work relates to agriculture, such as the development of nano-fertilisers, which are designed to do away with pesticides. www.ami.swiss
With farmland for field trials and 35,000 m2 of industrial development land, the Agropôle campus is home to industry players, service providers and innovators working to bring forward tomorrow’s sustainable solutions. www.agropole.ch
BLUEARK ENTREMONT AGRICO (SAINT-AUBIN) This campus, owned by the Canton of Fribourg, is dedicated to creating value in the fields of agriculture, nutrition and biomass. The site’s unique remit covers every stage of the development process from research to food production. AgriCo has use of around 100 hectares of farmland, plus space to expand to accommodate future innovative projects. www.agrico.swiss
AGROSCOPE The activities of Agroscope, Switzerland’s national centre of excellence for agricultural and food production research, are applicable to the food production industry’s entire value creation chain. Its role is to develop a competitive, multifunctional farming industry that produces high-quality foods and ensures healthy eating without harming the environment. The work carried out at Agroscope is a combination of research, advising political bodies and implementation tasks, along with knowledge exchange and technology transfer. The institute also conducts fundamental research focused on practical applications while working directly with industry players. It has 12 research sites in Switzerland (including the Swiss Future Farm). Through its research programmes, Agroscope focuses on identifying future challenges in Swiss agriculture and food production and coming up with appropriate smart farming solutions that have the potential to improve Swiss competitiveness without compromising the role of people in agriculture. www.agroscope.ch
An innovation hub developed jointly by The Ark Foundation, ALTIS and the municipalities of Bagnes, Bovernier, Sembrancher and Vollèges, BlueArk Entremont specialises in the sustainable and smart management of water, and more broadly the environment. BlueArk is also the originator of the BlueArk Challenge, a call for open-innovation projects aimed at solving the challenges facing water management, such as irrigation, flooding, drought and the management of the bisse irrigation channels. It is also behind the Smart Water event, a forum for discussion and innovative smart water management solutions. www.blueark.ch
CUBIC INNOVATION CAMPUS (ST GALLEN) The research carried out on the Bühler group’s innovation campus focuses on the more efficient and sustainable use of technology in the food production industry. www.buhlergroup.com
THE PLAYERS IN AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION AND RESEARCH IN SWITZERLAND 53
