'Slow Water': Swiss Farmers Prepare For Climate Crisis

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Prolonged droughts and heavy rainfall are putting ever greater strain on Swiss agriculture. In canton Lucerne, a farmer is trying out various ways to retain more water in the soil, protect the ground and ensure fodder for his livestock. His farm is one of over 110 taking part in the "Slow Water" project. Select your language

Generated with artificial intelligence. Listening: 'Slow Water': Swiss farmers prepare for climate crisis This content was published on September 7, 2026 - 09:00 10 minutes

I tell the story of Switzerland through the people I meet, leaving my desk behind to seek out life stories that reveal a different side of the country. As a freelance journalist for Swissinfo, I focus mainly on traditions, customs and unique aspects that can surprise our readers – both in Switzerland and abroad – and give them food for thought. Having grown up in Valposchiavo, I've travelled the world and spent a year in New Zealand. I love running through the woods of the Seeland and carving Swiss stone pine, whose scent takes me back to Val di Campo.

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Deutsch de ((Slow Water)): Die Schweizer Landwirtschaft bereitet sich auf die Klimakrise vor Read more: ((Slow Water)): Die Schweizer Landwirtschaft bereitet sich auf die Klimakris Français fr ((Slow Water)) ou comment l'agriculture suisse s'adapte à la crise climatique Read more: ((Slow Water)) ou comment l'agriculture suisse s'adapte à la crise clima Italiano it “Slow Water”, l'agricoltura svizzera si prepara alla crisi climatica Original Read more:“Slow Water”, l'agricoltura svizzera si prepara alla crisi clim Português pt Agricultor suíço retém água para enfrentar secas extremas Read more: Agricultor suíço retém água para enfrentar secas ext العربية ar “المياه البطيئة”: هكذا تتكيف الزراعة السويسرية مع أزمة المناخ Read more:“المياه البطيئة”: هكذا تتكيف الزراعة السويسرية مع أزمة ا

From a hilltop on Urs Burri's farm in Ellbach, a fine view unfolds over the rolling countryside in the Napf region of canton Lucerne, central Switzerland.

“It's an oasis,” says Burri.“Isn't it amazing?”.

On this day in late July, however, many meadows and pastures are yellow-brown, the grass stubby and withered. Amid this arid landscape lies a pond created by the farmer last spring.“Water is life,” he says.“There are dragonflies. Wild ducks sometimes come and swim here.”

Thanks to this pool and two smaller retention basins, which slowly release water through drainage pipes, the grass nearby is lush and green. Burri introduced these two measures to counter the increasingly frequent weather extremes, including the current drought.

“Nowadays rainfall is unevenly distributed,” he laments.“Sometimes it pours with rain, then not a drop falls for weeks on end.”

The climate crisis is threatening his livelihood.“As a farmer, the land is my capital. If it produces little or nothing, how can I feed my cows, which much of my income depends on?” he asks.

On the family-run biodynamic farm, Burri, who is in his 40s, keeps suckler cows, pigs, hens, turkeys, bees and dogs. There is also an orchard with some 80 fruit trees. The hilly landscape is made up of pastureland, hay meadows and a few fields for cereal crops.

>>Switzerland is not running out of water. But water resources are unevenly distributed, as we explain in this article:

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