Challenges and Options in Pesticide-Free Farming, A Guide for Farmers

Three years ago, Switzerland system of direct democracy provided citizens with the opportunity to vote on a complete ban on pesticide usage, aiming to transform the Alpine nation into a 100% organic farming oasis. However, when the votes were counted in June 2021, the pesticide initiative failed to secure a majority, receiving only 40% support.

Since 2019, the Swiss Association of Farmers Practicing Integrated Agriculture (IP-Suisse), boasting a membership of approximately 18,500, has been promoting pesticide-free farming practices. This sustainable farming movement offers a 30% premium to member farmers who cultivate wheat without resorting to pesticides, albeit not fully adopting organic methods. Remarkably, this initiative, one of the first of its kind in Europe, is chiefly supported by Switzerland’s largest supermarket chain, Migros, which sells the pesticide-free wheat under its TerraSuisse label.

Organic and Pesticide-Free:

organic farming, chemical pesticides and fertilizers are eschewed. However, certain non-biological substances like copper and liquid paraffin are permitted in limited quantities. Pesticide-free farming primarily entails refraining from using chemical synthetic pesticides. There are no limitations on fertilizer application. Farmers also have the flexibility to allocate only a portion of their land to pesticide-free cultivation and can revert after a growing season.
The Swiss government is also encouraging non-organic yet pesticide-free agriculture. From 2023 to 2027, endeavors are underway to cut the adverse environmental impacts of pesticides by half. In line with this, the government has prohibited hazardous chemical compounds and introduced direct payments to farmers embracing pesticide-reduced, pesticide-free, and organic farming methods voluntarily. These payments vary from CHF650 ($712) per hectare for wheat to CHF1,400 per hectare for rapeseed.

Challenges and Considerations:

In pesticide-free farming, the absence of fertilizer usage does not inherently pose risks to production. Studies conducted mostly in moderate regions estimate an approximate 6% reduction in average production. If proven effective for both farmers and consumers in a specific area, it is highly advantageous. However, the scenario differs in tropical regions where pests proliferate rapidly, leading to potential overnight crop destruction. Virginia Lee, a counsel at CropLife International, stresses the importance of maximizing food production on available land. She advocates for maintaining a proper balance between productivity, climate, and biodiversity tailored to each agricultural climate zone.

Inadequate Environmental Protection: 

Manufacturers of agricultural chemicals and farmers are not entirely aligned with the pesticide-free trend. Issues associated with fertilizers differ from those posed by pesticides and impact the environment in various ways. According to Rafael Charles of the Swiss-based FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture), fertilizer usage releases nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, disrupting the life cycle of organisms. This alteration affects flora and various organisms, contributing to malnutrition in non-agricultural areas. Charles suggests alternatives to synthetic fertilizers, such as nitrogen-fixing plants or composting organic waste into compost or digestate, as preferable options over other synthetic fertilizer alternatives.