The project for regional development (PRE) BioGemüse Seeland can now be implemented, after more than six years of preparation. Vegetable producers and actors in local tourism have initiated the project in order to secure the regional added value or to increase it significantly in the coming years. Fritz Burkhalter, president of the PRE BioGemüse Seeland association, wants to thank to all those who have actively supported the project.
With an investment of Fr. 66 million by the organic vegetable producers, the organic farmers and Murten Tourism and a significant support of Fr. 7 million by the federal government and Fr. 5.6 million from the canton of Fribourg, the stakeholders want to create added value for organic vegetable production and develop sustainability and tourism. The joint creation of regional added value is in the foreground. In the project, which has been approved by the cantonal and federal authorities, various sub-projects are planned.
Left to right: Fritz Burkhalter, President of the PRE BioGemüse Seeland, Didier Castella, State Councillor, Director of Institutions and Agriculture and Forestry (ILFD), Christian Hofer, Director of the
Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG)
Complete, regional organic range
Two new producer-owned buildings will provide the capacity that is so urgently needed to efficiently package organic vegetables, as there has been an increasing demand in the Swiss market. The significant investments also benefit local and regional businesses. With B2B PRE Bio Gemüse Seeland Ltd, a newly founded company, a hybrid marketing platform is being created for the entire range of Fribourg organic produce, with a focus on the catering trade, local retailers and farm stores. Customers will be offered a complete, regional organic assortment with the help of an attractive, digitalized and personalized business process.
The support of the organic vegetable producers and the exchanges between producers as well as research and consultation will be taken up by the newly created InnoPlattform Bio Ltd, which is being set up now. The goal is to make vegetable production accessible to consumers beyond the region and to strengthen consumer trust in products from the Seeland.
Project sponsors and participants with State Councillor, Director of Institutions and Agriculture and Forestry (ILFD), Christian Hofer, Director of the Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG) and Fritz Burkhalter, President of the supporting association PRE BioGemüse Seeland
Decisive internal strengthening
The further development of the sectors involved, the overarching cooperation and the intensive exchange between the various participants in the sub-projects are coming together to create decisive internal strengthening. Externally, all measures are supported by a joint marketing concept, strengthening the region. The association with its 30 members is responsible for the project management and coordination of the subprojects.
Burkhalter, who heads the association, also emphasizes the good cooperation with the authorities, to whom the association has to report during the years of implementation. He emphasizes that everyone involved is now looking forward to the implementation of the planned work and will go to work with great enthusiasm and passion.
For more information:
Präsident, Fritz Burkhalter
Trägerverein PRE BioGemüse Seeland
c/o BNPO Schweiz
Löwenplatz 3
3303 Jegenstorf
Tel: 079 300 28 91