Switzerland
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| AGRICULTURE |
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Switzerland is a montainous country, that is why, the agriculture is essentially focused on breeding. The Swiss government always intervenes to direct the production, to maintain farmers' incomes and to protect the environment.
Today, the farming sector employs 3.9 % of the working population and represents with the forest sector, 2.7 % of the gross added value of the Swiss economy.
The grain productions are little developed in the country. They have benefited from State aids and yield growth due to mineral fertilizers and the development of phytosanitary products. As regards to fruits and vegetables, the production is limited but they are high-quality products.
Moreover, half of the Swiss cheese production is intended for the exportation, especially to European Union.
Agricultural population (in thousands)
Total population
7 164
Agricultural population
422
Non agricultural population
6 742
Source : 2004, FAOSTAT
Land use
Cultivated surface area
1 525 000
Irrigated surface area
25 000
Number of farms
n.c.
Number of tractors
107 827
Source : 2003, FAOSTAT
Production indicators
Main crops
| Product | Production (in thousands) | Harvested surface (1000 ha) | Yield by hectare (kg/ha) |
| Sugar beet | 1409 | 18 | 77234 |
| Wheat | 531 | 93 | 5732 |
| Potatoes | 505 | 13 | 40364 |
| Barley | 231 | 38 | 6134 |
| Apples | 217 | 4 | 50234 |
Source : 2005, FAOSTAT
Livestock
| Specie | Headcount (in thousands) |
| Chickens | 8117 |
| Pigs | 1609 |
| Cattle | 1545 |
| Sheep | 446 |
| Beehives | 208 |
Source : 2005, FAOSTAT
Fishing (in metric tons)
| Shellfish, mollusks and cephalopods | Saltwater fish | Freshwater fish |
| 0 | 0 | 616 |
Source : 2005, FAOSTAT