ResilientArableCrops supports the cultivation of niche arable crops in Switzerland to improve agricultural resilience, sustainability, and economic viability. By diversifying crop rotations, it reduces pest, weed, and disease pressure while enhancing biodiversity, soil fertility, and climate adaptation. Focus crops include niche cereals (e.g. paddy rice, oats, rye, sorghum) and legumes (e.g. chickpeas, lentils, lupins, beans).
The project aims to:

1. define cultivation criteria,
2. assess crop suitability across regions,
3. optimise mixed cropping and harvesting,
4. evaluate economic viability and market potential,
5. analyse environmental impacts.

Field and on-farm trials will test performance, and economic analyses will assess profitability. It collaborates with EU initiatives like Horizon Europe’s LEGENDARY.

Expected outcomes include strategic crop selection, cultivation recommendations, foundations to develop new value chains, and tools for knowledge sharing. The project advances Swiss food security and sustainability by reducing imports and supporting local, plant-based production.