There are various reasons why farmers in Switzerland have increasingly combined fruit trees with crops in recent years. One important motivation is to reduce soil erosion, and other benefits include the reduction of nitrate leaching, and increased carbon sequestration and biodiversity.

Through intercropping, farmers are benefitting from increased productivity and product diversification since, in addition to arable crops, they gain the profits of a fruit harvest. Farmers also receive direct payments for their ecosystem service. The Swiss agricultural policy, which is independent from the EU Common Agricultural Policy, promotes the planting of standard fruit trees on agricultural land. Tree contributions are paid irrespective of whether they are traditionally combined with grassland, pasture or in combination with crops.