Innovation Forum

Project description:

ADT Project Consulting is conducting the ‘German-Ukrainian Expert Dialogue on the Sustainable Development of the Fruit and Vegetable Sector in Vinnytsia’ (DUALOG) as part of the BMEL’s bilateral cooperation programme. The project supports the development of a sustainable fruit and vegetable sector in Ukraine as part of the transformation of the agricultural and food system and to strengthen food sovereignty in times of war. The focus is on advising key institutions on legal and institutional framework conditions, as well as modernising agricultural advisory services and vocational training in the fruit and vegetable sector in the Vinnytsia region. By promoting strategic agricultural investments (e.g. agricultural infrastructure, business start-ups), the project also makes a direct contribution to reconstruction in Ukraine. During project implementation, a particular focus is placed on the consideration of agroecological principles, including, specifically, the participation and involvement of marginalised groups and the promotion of gender equality.

Institutional description:
ADT Project Consulting GmbH (ADT) is a German consulting firm focusing on the planning and implementation of international projects in the agricultural sector. For almost 30 years, ADT has been active in over 70 countries in the context of development cooperation, economic cooperation and/or innovation promotion for various donors as well as for companies and associations in the agricultural and food sector. ADT's core technical competencies lie in its know-how on sustainable production systems and value chains in agriculture and animal husbandry, in excellent technical advice and training, as well as in the planning and development of specialised systems for animal health and food safety control, quality assurance in agricultural value chains, and traceability and origin assurance of agricultural products. Special experience exists in the implementation of nationwide or regional training projects in the agricultural sector for various target groups, in the establishment of agricultural centres, in developing agricultural markets, and in advising ministries of education and agriculture on the modernisation of vocational education and training. Furthermore, there is also a well-founded competence in the methodological-didactic field as well as in the implementation of high quality standards in the vocational training of specialists and managers in the sector.

Project description:

African Green Store Network (AGSN) plans to show posters, films, and materials from members’ work to reach a wider audience, inspire each other about training approaches and sustainable curriculum development, and enhance AGSN’s visibility in Berlin. We are presenting the Pan-African network, AGSN, which comprises practice-oriented vocational schools in the agricultural and horticultural sectors. AGSN is a network of 32 institutions from 12 African countries. We aim to share knowledge and know-how that has been tested and validated by vocational training centers within the Global South. The common target group of these institutions is the young generation of workers in the agricultural sector from production to extension. The members of the AGSN play a pivotal role in promoting climate-resilient, sustainable intensification through the dissemination of socio-ecological innovations. Their efforts are instrumental in ensuring a successful transition of graduates into the labor market, fostering future career prospects, self-employment opportunities, and driving innovation within the land-use system. The participating institutions bring extensive experience in South-South and North-South cooperation, combining practical, field-based expertise with virtual collaboration. This wealth of knowledge facilitates the effective transfer of local solutions, ensuring a strong focus on communication and practical implementation.
We would like to show case the various innovations and levels of collaborations which has helped these agricultural institutions ensure increase in food security, using diverse local innovations, community of practice and knowledge sharing.

Institutional description:
Our network which is multidisciplinary and bilingual comprises of over 33 Agricultural educational institutions from more than 12 African countries, is firmly founded on community of practice and dedicated to building the capacity of its members in different areas of agriculture, organizational development and management, providing practical innovations, and enhancing international visibility of its member institutions. Member institutions cut across the Central, Western, Northwest and Eastern African countries. Members exchange knowledge and collaborate on projects, empowering youth, combating unemployment, ensuring food sovereignty, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across Africa! Our vision is to leads agricultural education towards food sovereignty while driving the transformation of the agricultural sector across Africa. Our mission is to strengthens agricultural and vocational training institutions across Africa by building capacity, fostering knowledge exchange, driving collaboration to elevate education, supporting youth integration and championing sustainable agricultural practices across Africa.

Project description:

In “Agricultural Systems of the Future”, six inter- and transdisciplinary consortia are researching innovative approaches to pave the way for the transformation to resilient and sustainable agrifood systems. The development of our innovative solutions for a sustainable agricultural economy goes hand in hand with the use of new, smart technologies and the market launch of new types of food. Open and transparent communication with all stakeholders is important in order to create broad acceptance for this – a strategic task that the coordination office of this funding line is implementing. We want to create acceptance today for the innovative products and technologies of “Agricultural Systems of the Future” for consumers, but also for the decision-makers, experts and founders of tomorrow. This is why the “Agricultural Systems of the Future” coordination office actively promotes knowledge and technology transfer. Through our innovative communication formats, we enter into a genuine exchange with the public – from science and politics to business and society – at eye level. We inform, discuss and involve all stakeholders in an open discourse.
In addition to external communication, the coordination office also initiates and coordinates the internal transfer of technology and knowledge across consortia as well as the entire AdZ ideation process, which led to the development of specific transformation paths and our vision for a sustainable agricultural economy.
We want to use the Innovation Forum at the GFFA to discuss with experts and the audience on site how the conditions for this transformation can be shaped in a socially, ecologically and economically responsible way. At the same time, we would like to show how the work of the Coordination Office can strengthen innovation and how the technologies of our consortia can promote a sustainable bioeconomy. To this end, we would like to use our interactive multi-touch table and VR glasses at the GFFA 2025 Innovation Forum. With these exhibits, visitors can find out about the projects in the funding line in an easy-to-understand and low-threshold way in German and English and then enter into a more in-depth discussion with us on the topic.

Institutional description:
In “Agricultural Systems of the Future” (AdZ), six inter- and transdisciplinary research-consortia funded by the BMBF are researching and testing innovative approaches to find new paths in agriculture. To this end, modern key technologies and alternative production systems are being developed. The six AdZ-consortia are supported scientifically and communicatively by a central coordination-office. The coordination-office initiates and coordinates the internal and external exchange of research and carries out target group-specific knowledge- and technology transfer using a wide variety of communication formats. The entire AdZ-ideation process, from the definition of the vision and mission, to the development of specific transformation paths for innovative agricultural systems and our vision for the future, was implemented in joint dialogs. External communication is customized based on our target group analysis with a focus on current and future decision-makers (Generation Z, millennials and politicians). This is supplemented by comprehensive media work to convey fact- and data-based knowledge. Interactive and/or experiential media was developed for high-profile events and appearances in media channels (e.g. portrait films, VR glasses, multi-touch table). The coordination-office is based at the IGZ - Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops/Großbeeren and the ILS - Institute for Regional and Urban Development Research/Dortmund.

Project description:

BioökonomieREVIER is a structural change initiative that establishes the Rhineland Revier as a model region for sustainable bioeconomy. Since the decision to phase out lignite-fired power generation, an innovation ecosystem for biobased circular economy has emerged, which minimizes the use of fossil raw materials, strengthens the regional food economy, promotes new industrial business models, and biologically transforms regional value chains. The initiative provides impulses for systemic structural changes in the regional economic system by jointly developing solution concepts and driving implementation processes with companies, municipalities, and agricultural enterprises.
At the center are innovative projects for regional food production and circular economy, as well as the development of new value chains that efficiently utilize regional resources while enabling social participation. In the focus area “Innovative Agriculture,” projects are developed, tested, and implemented on topics such as digital agriculture/robotics, efficient food production, multifunctional land use, biobased raw materials, cultivation of medicinal and therapeutic plants, utilization of marginal sites, and biobased environmental technologies. This creates a resilient region that combines climate and environmental goals with economic competitiveness and develops practical approaches for rural development with bioeconomy in other regions of the world.

Institutional description:
Forschungszentrum Jülich as one of the largest European research institutions is the main regional employer in the Rhenish mining region. In the context of the lignite mining phase-out in 2030 in the Rhenish region, FZJ bears a high responsibility for a successful regional transition of the region. Bioeconomy is a strategic topic at FZJ covering research in plant sciences, innovative agriculture, biotechnology, biorefineries and systems analyses. FZJ builds upon a wide range of bioeconomy activities. In 2010, FZJ’s Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, Plant Sciences (IBG-2) has started to shape regional bioeconomy by setting up the Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC). As a research and education cooperation, BioSC clusters the activities of three regional universities and FZJ to develop systemic bioeconomy solutions. In 2018 and building on preliminary work of BioSC, BioökonomieREVIER (BÖR) was initiated to shape the regional green transition towards a circular and sustainable bioeconomy model region. BÖR develops and demonstrates circular value chains and bio-based business models by engaging with stakeholder groups. These activities include novel cooperations on usage of residues from other industries, as well as bio-based products in the construction sector, the chemical sector or in the combination with the energy sector like agri-photovoltaics.

Project description:

At the BMEL booth, projects funded by the BMEL under the Bilateral Cooperation Program, the Bilateral Trust Fund, and international research projects will be presented in thematic clusters. These clusters include the topics of the Right to Food, Agroecology, Organic Farming, Climate-Adapted Agriculture, EU Accession, Sustainable Forest Management, and Inter-Enterprise Cooperatives and Value Chains. In addition, information on the Innovation and Transformation Dialogue (ITD), the Twinning/TAIEX program and Bilateral Administrative Partnerships can also be provided in relation with these key topics.

Project description:

CAISLEY’s products are suitable for a unique lifetime identification of livestock, ideally from birth to slaughter. In this way, they help to manage livestock in a resource-efficient and sustainable way, strengthen their health and effectively combat animal diseases, prevent animal theft and avoid conflicts between livestock farmers and crop producers. Organic residues and available biomass that are not directly suitable for human consumption can therefore be better used by the extensive livestock systems e.g. prevalent in Africa.
CAISLEY works with Ministries in different countries to establish Livestock Identification & Traceability Systems (LITS). CAISLEY supports partners in the implementation of projects that build on a unique, lifelong animal identification that can be used for different applications – the so-called “multi-purpose LITS”. Currently, various pilot measures are being carried out in Africa, the Caucasus region and Central Asia. This includes use cases for the collection of data on milk yield, growth development and reproduction, the further breeding development of large and small livestock populations, the prevention of animal theft, animal disease control and the implementation of animal health programmes and thus ultimately a contribution to food and nutrition security as well as the control of stocking densities in individual regions.

Institutional description:
CAISLEY is the leading manufacturer of animal identification products in Germany with growing market shares in EU countries and abroad. The family-owned company, based in Bocholt in North Rhine-Westphalia, has been dedicated to the animal identification of farm animals for more than 30 years. CAISLEY's visual ear tags, electronic ear tags with transponder and tissue-sampling ear tags are currently used in more than 70 countries worldwide. CAISLEY products are known for their animal-friendly design, high quality standards and exceptionally low loss rates. As an associate member of ICAR, CAISLEY offers ear tags that are approved by the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) and are widely used in official national livestock identification and traceability systems.

Project description:

We intend to showcase during GFFA that a sustainable bio-economy thrives from data, which documents the sustainability of biomass production and subsequently increases trust in the sustainable value chains.

Institutional description:
constellr operates its own satellite constellation, measuring temperature and water on our planet. This data on temperature and water is used in agriculture to early on determine water stress - as well as other biotic and a-biotic stress - well before it can be determined with the human eye. Agronomic decisions can subsequently be taken using less ressources and operate more sustainably.

Project description:

With the slogan “Bio-Power for Healthy Soils”, the ETH Soil project aims to make small-scale agriculture in Ethiopia climate-friendly and more resilient, increase land productivity and enable more local added value by using previously unused residues for energy or material purposes. The project is funded as part of the BMZ core thematic strategy “Life without Hunger” in the BMZ priority area “Transformation of agricultural and food systems”. The capacities of project partners in research, training and agricultural advice are strengthened, as are the skills of artisans and small farmers. The cooperation of a wide range of partners is required for a sustainable production of biochar-based fertilizers and their use for the improvement of the fertility and water retention capacity of degraded agricultural land. Biochars are produced by pyrolysis from nutrient-poor residues (in accordance with the cascade principle) and are then mixed with (worm) compost, fermentation residues or manure. By introducing it into the soil, the build-up of humus is promoted, crop yields are sustainably increased and food insecurity is reduced. Biochar in the soil can be reliably detected even after decades. A planned certification of the relevant processes should make it possible to offer CO2 certificates (carbon credits) from 2025 onwards, thus also rewarding the additional effort of farmers and promoting the transformation approach with a long term perspective.
The DBFZ has also developed low-emission pyrolysis cook-stoves for solid residues, which, in addition to providing cooking energy at household level, produce small quantities of high-quality biochar. The production of cookers and complementary tools, as well as the development of value chains, creates new employment opportunities in rural areas. Generic business models will make it easier for investors to get involved in economic value creation from previously unused residues. The expansion of university-based degree programs ensures that new expertise reaches the labor market and ensures further independent technological development. The necessary capacities for quality assurance of biochar-based organic fertilizers are being developed in soil, plant and bioenergy research laboratories.

Institutional description:
The DBFZ develops various concepts for the economically viable, ecologically harmless and socially acceptable material and energetic use of biomass. The aim is to analyse potential areas of conflict between the various aspects of a transformation towards a bioeconomy at an early stage and to develop forward-looking design approaches and technological solutions. Issues to be addressed in this context include integration of material and energetic uses, improving energy efficiency, avoiding competing uses or avoiding emissions to soil, water and, in particular, the air. With the work of the DBFZ, the knowledge about the possibilities and limits of the use of biomass is to be expanded overall and the bioeconomy strategy of the German government is supported.

Project description:

DEULA-Nienburg is committed to strengthening innovation in the agricultural sector through targeted educational initiatives and expanding communication within the industry. At a time when digital and technological transformations are fundamentally reshaping agriculture, it is essential to combine practical education with modern communication strategies.
Our goal is to create a platform for exchange between agricultural enterprises, professionals, and educational institutions to effectively disseminate knowledge and innovations. This is achieved through the use of innovative technologies such as digital learning platforms, virtual training spaces, and interactive communication forums that promote knowledge transfer within the sector.
DEULA-Nienburg views enhanced communication as a key factor in accelerating innovation transfer and the successful implementation of new technologies in practice. Through workshops, online seminars, and virtual networking events, we contribute to fostering closer collaboration among agricultural stakeholders, thereby sustainably strengthening the sector’s capacity for innovation.
With this approach, DEULA-Nienburg makes a vital contribution to promoting innovation in agriculture and paving the way for a future-ready, interconnected industry.

Institutional description:
The DEULA-Nienburg is a German educational institution specializing in vocational training and continuing education in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, forestry, trades, and industry. We offer practical training, seminars, and courses tailored to meet the current demands of these sectors.

Project description:

AGROECOLOGY THROUGH PARTICIPATORY GUARANTEE SYSTEMS:

AN INSTRUMENT FOR BIOECONOMY, MARKET ACCESS AND HEALTHY DIETS

Agroecology plays a crucial role in driving a sustainable transi5on toward increased reliance on renewable resources, which form the founda5on of a bio-based economy. It aligns with the key themes of this year’s GFFA: 1) Sustainable biomass production while resolving conflicts of interest; 2) Responsible biomass u5liza5on to ensure global food security; 3) Strengthening innova5on through improved communica5on; and 4) Establishing equitable framework condi5ons to facilitate transforma5on. These priories emphasize agroecology’s strategic importance in addressing environmental, economic, and social challenges.

Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) have been developed in Peru for the last 20 years, with the aim of guaranteeing consumers that the products they buy come from an agroecological production system; likewise, for farmers, this system strengthens agricultural diversification which should be the basis of a sustainable bioeconomy.

This PGS model developed in Peru involves the participation of a collective of 150 public institutions (local, provincial or regional governments, vocational training centres, iniversities or technical institutes, health centres, among other public institutions) as well as private organisations (local enterprises, small-scale microenterprises), non-profit organisations (NGOs, producer associations, cooperatives, among others) and the participation of local consumers. All are articulated in a participatory manner, where visits to production units and evaluation of farmers’ compliance are carried out, to verify that the products are agroecological; developing the interaction between the countryside and the city.

In order to lay an even more solid basis for bioeconomy through the sustainable management of local forests, the Development and Environment Institute (IDMA) is using a PGS+ system valuing the agroforestry systems that family producers develop in their farms, quantifying the environmental services generated by the carbon capture of family and community forests. Revaluing the importance of forest species (mainly native), through the development of associated management practices between trees and crops or trees and pastures, allows producers to have not only crop production, but also to conserve forest species.

These association practices, also called Agro-Forestry Systems or Silvopastoral Systems, seek to encourage farmers to conserve forest species, while at the same time developing the management of their crops. In this sense, it is possible for producers to enhance their capacity to articulate themselves to organic production markets, as well as to access benefits for ecosystemic retribution with the capture of carbon from associated forest species, avoiding deforestation in Peru, which reaches 150,000 hectares per year and thereby creating a sustainable bioeconomy for the country.

This measurement is proposed as a complementary model to the GSP process, where the organised producers must have a certificate of organic production through the GSP, as well as register the data of the forest species. This process would correspond to internal control, similar to that of the GSP, and then undergo an external control process with the members of the regional council of the GSP in their region. Finally, the processes are validated and a ‘SGP Plus’ certification is generated.

Institutional description:
IDMA is a partner of the Ecological Agriculture Network RAE PERU, a member organization of IFOAM – Organics International.

Project description:

The FAO Stand will showcase concrete examples of bioeconomy innovations that harness sustainable use of biological resources to empower developing countries to tackle urgent environmental and socio-economic challenges, including innovations to measure and reduce food loss and waste. These initiatives reflect FAO’s holistic bioeconomy approach, focusing on reducing and repurposing food loss and waste, revitalizing traditional knowledge, and transforming agrifood residues into sustainable value chains that enhance environmental resilience, foster socio-economic growth, and strengthen food security.
Visitors will have the opportunity to explore tangible products from several FAO innovative projects. These include black soldier fly (BSF) larvae and nutrient-rich fertilizer from Côte d’Ivoire’s BioDAF initiative, where urban organic waste is transformed into valuable agricultural inputs. Additionally, they’ll encounter fish-skin leather from Cape Verde’s Fish to Fashion project, an initiative empowering women’s cooperatives to convert fish waste into market-ready goods and build new commercial connections. Sustainable banana fiber textiles from Pakistan will showcase how banana stems can be turned into eco-friendly fabrics, providing a bio-based alternative to resource-intensive cotton.
The FAO Food Loss App (FLAPP), a tool developed to accelerate the pace of actions to measure, report, and reduce food losses, through the crowdsourcing of data and the provision of advice to reduce FL in real time will be showcased as well as 3D models of equipment – silos, hot water treatment tanks, solar coolers and dryers, evaporative coolers – designed by FAO and fabricated by artisans in developing economies in Asia and Africa, and their field level application in measurably reducing food losses will also be showcased.

Institutional description:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized United Nations agency leading international efforts to end hunger and improve food security. FAO’s mission is to ensure that all people have regular access to enough high-quality food for active, healthy lives. FAO’s Bioeconomy Team, located within the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity, and Environment, manages FAO’s corporate priority area on bioeconomy, a cross-cutting programme brining together different technical division. The programme envisions a bioeconomy that balances economic value and social welfare with environmental sustainability for a world free of hunger. Its mission is to scale up the global bioeconomy transition through integrated, evidence-based policies, practical innovations, and strong international partnerships, with a particular focus on supporting SDG 12. FAO helps countries create tailored bioeconomy strategies that optimize biomass use—by making better use of existing resources, tapping into unexploited biomass, and sustainably increasing production where appropriate, including through reducing food loss and waste, valorize agricultural residues, and promote circularity within food systems. By implementing bio-innovations that harness renewable resources for energy, materials, and food, FAO drives sustainable economic growth, fosters rural development, and positions bioeconomy as a critical pathway toward resilience and sustainability.

Project description:

The agricultural sector is not only a producer of food and animal feed, but also plays an important role as a producer of a variety of bio-based raw materials for industrial processes. As a promotional bank for the German agricultural sector and rural areas, Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank aims to promote the material and energy use of agricultural products or by-products and to help shape the transition to a bio-based, low-emission circular economy. To achieve this goal, Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank provides funding to support strategic initiatives and other promotional activities to strengthen the start-up ecosystem in the fields of agriculture, food and the bioeconomy.
The funded partners who are also applying include
1. the Future Forest Initiative, which supports the further development of forestry into an enabler of the bioeconomy so that the forestry sector can provide the industry with the necessary raw materials for a future bioeconomy in a transparent, reliable and high-quality manner.
2. the RootCamps, which carry out in-depth value chain analyses in areas relevant to the bioeconomy and identify innovation potential in the “Bioeconomy DeepDives” project. The topic of industrial hemp has already been dealt with in a first DeepDive.

Institutional description:
The Future Forest Initiative is a think tank for committed people and organizations who have recognized that nature and human needs must be brought into harmony. Together, we support visionaries and pioneers with know-how and capital to test innovations in a real environment and drive them forward with determination. An intact forest is at the heart of what we do. It is a symbol of a healthy planet. By 2030, we will shape the forest transition as the key to transforming our economy into a circular bio-economy. We support the development of forestry into an enabler of the bioeconomy, which provides our industry with the necessary materials for a future bioeconomy in a transparent, reliable and high-quality manner and which is based on regenerative and climate-resilient production systems. In this way, we complement the efforts of agriculture and cooperate with it at the interface of agroforestry systems.

Project description:

Projects will be presented by the companies GRIMME, Peterson/Control Union, BASF, AgSet

„Making measurable impact in your agri-food supply chain”
Peterson Solutions helps to enhance sustainable sourcing in global supply chains. We do this by aligning targets of retailers and brands, with practical measures that we adopt whilst engaging with farmers and their preferences, adapted to their local conditions. We execute our projects around various commodities, for example in the grains and oilseed sector, as well as in vegetables and herbs production. We help supply chains to reduce their footprint, enhance biodiversity and reduce their chemical inputs. In our service portfolio we also support in measuring their impact and calculation of their footprint. Our services can help supply chains to comply to EUDR, CSRD, CSDDD and other regulations.

Brazil: The “Farming for a Nature Positive Future” Project

The project is a collaborative initiative involving a network of small and medium-sized soybean producers in Brazil. The partnership between BASF, Solidaridad, Wheatley Young Partners and GeoApis aims to assess how sustainable agricultural practices can promote biodiversity, environmental conservation, and the coexistence of agriculture with pollinators. Farmers are well-positioned to lead these efforts, and it is important that they are compensated for their contributions to tackling environmental challenges. Based on the field results, the partners plan to develop and assess the feasibility of a nature-based market in Brazil. The long-term goal is to create an ecosystem that encourages farmers to implement nature-positive projects alongside their existing agricultural practices.

Mexico: The Kajve Project

The project unlocks climate resilient coffee production through innovation and Nature-based Solutions in Chiapas, southern Mexico. Coffee cultivation is vital in Mexico, which ranks as one of the largest coffee producers in the Americas and ninth globally in terms of annual harvest balance.  Approximately 500,000 families depend on coffee cultivation for their livelihoods, many of whom are small producers from around 30 indigenous groups. Chiapas leads all Mexican states in coffee production, yet 65% of its population lives below the poverty line, with limited access to basic needs. The Kajve initiative was launched in 2019 by BASF in partnership with UNESCO first and more recently with the International Center for Tropical Agriculture and Solidaridad.

India: The Healthy Soils, Prosperous Farmers program

This initiative is a multi stakeholder program, demonstrating climate resilient and regenerative horticulture to raise household income, promote climate resilience, regenerate soil health, and reduce pest and disease pressure. By building knowledge through participatory approaches like co-development of crop system design guidelines, Packages of Practices, training materials, Farmer Field Schools (FFS), train-the-trainer sessions with lead farmers, in-season agricultural extension services, to create measurable, meaningful impact together.

Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe: “Enhancing horticulture production through mechanization and capacity building”

Projects involve practical application of modern and locally adapted agricultural machinery solutions and initiatives on capacity building for farmers and locals businesses, aiming to supporting diversification of agricultural production with focus on crops like potato, onion, carrots.

“AgSet.com”

Implemented as a global smart marketplace for agribusiness: farmers and traders can post the adverts, use the CRM system, manage the stock and work with a lot of other useful modules which save the time and makes the trading process smart and efficient.

“Sell My Tractor (SMT)”

Implemented globally to support access of farmers to agricultural machinery: service which provides farmers with the opportunity to sell used machinery directly to other farmers.

“ProFermer Tools”

Implemented in Central Asia: boost agricultural machinery performance with software optimization (up to 20% fuel savings and increased power up to 30%); local machinery and service dealers in Central Asian countries can become part of the ProFermer-Network.

Institutional description:
The German Agribusiness Alliance (GAA) is a joint initiative of leading associations and companies in the German agricultural and food industry focusing on plant breeding, plant protection and plant nutrition, animal husbandry (genetics, health and nutrition), agricultural technology, food production, certification, agricultural trade, qualification and training, as well as agri-related consulting and advisory. It serves as a platform for international cooperation of the German business in the agricultural and food sector – with partner countries worldwide.

Project description:

GFA Consulting Group implements projects worldwide in the field of agroecology, promoting sustainable biomass production and resolving conflicting goals. In Africa, Asia, and Latin America, our projects contribute significantly to the transformation of sustainable agriculture and food systems. We aim to showcase these practical examples at the GFFA and the Innovation Forum.
In Ethiopia, we integrate climate-smart practices into landscape restoration with local farmers’ associations to promote sustainable land use and productivity. Through precision farming, improved irrigation techniques, and the efficient use of inputs, we optimize yields and minimize environmental impacts. Soil health, nutrient cycles, water retention, and carbon sequestration through conservation tillage and organic amendments play a central role in this effort.
The “ProSoil” project in Kenya focuses on direct advisory services for smallholder farmers to establish agroecological practices. GFA experts trained six community-based organizations, enabling smallholder farmers to successfully apply methods such as minimal tillage, crop rotation, biological fertilizers (e.g., vermicomposting), planting Mucuna, and agroforestry. A cascading training model strengthened local ownership and facilitated the widespread adoption of sustainable farming practices. To incentivize the implementation of agroecological practices, the marketing of Mucuna as a dietary supplement and vermi-juice as a byproduct of vermicomposting was promoted.
We are convinced that our project experiences offer valuable insights that enrich the political framework of the GFFA and the Innovation Forum, highlighting opportunities for scalability towards a sustainable global bioeconomy.

Institutional description:
Based in Hamburg, GFA Consulting Group is a global player with a solid track record of providing effective solutions to the challenges of the fast changing global consulting market. The steadily growing company relies on an international network of experts, partners and subsidiaries that helped in the implementation of complex studies and projects worldwide since 1982. Clients and financial institutions hold our competence and expertise in high esteem as we balance innovation and reliability to meet local needs, improve people’s lives and contribute to a boost in employment opportunities and economic growth. GFA's recognition as a dependable partner is incorporated in a set of values, which focuses on performance, innovation, credibility and quality. To this end, we have 250 highly qualified experts and about 1,100 talented and motivated project staff at our disposal on whom we can rely during project preparation, implementation and evaluation. Based on a decentralized organizational structure across all disciplines and regions, our corporate success is deeply rooted in the excellence of services in strategic business areas that results from adapting to market developments. Hence, change management and new themes are continuously integrated into the existing GFA portfolio.

Project description:

Bioeconomy is considered a sustainable economic activity based on biogenic raw materials (plants, animals, microorganisms) and the associated knowledge. Therefore it has enormous potential for a sustainable transformation of the global economic system.

The German development cooperation and GIZ, as the implementing organization for technical cooperation, are working to ensure that this transformation is sustainable, inclusive and fair. This applies to the production and use of biogenic raw materials in Europe and in partner countries, as well as the creation of fair framework conditions and fair compensation for bioeconomic value chains. The agricultural and food sector plays a central role in German development cooperation‘s partner countries in providing the resource base for the bioeconomy. German development cooperation and GIZ are committed to observe the “Food First” principle. It gives food security priority over other uses of biogenic raw materials. German development cooperation also pays attention to the protection of human rights and the sustainable use of natural resources and ecosystems within planetary boundaries. Only then, the change towards a sustainable bioeconomy can contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda and thus the SDGs.

The GIZ Sector Project Resilient Rural Areas (SP RLR) and predecessor projects supported the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) for years in its development policy regarding bioeconomy. The core issue is to enable Germany’s partner countries to use the potential of the bioeconomy, e.g. for employment and income in rural areas, or for the transition to sustainable land use practices and a fair sharing of benefits for the local population. Furthermore, increasing advice to partner countries of German development cooperation on the development of bioeconomy strategies and their implementation can be expected. To this end, the SP is increasing exchange with technical cooperation projects in BMZ´s partner countries and involvement in international discussions as well as agenda setting on the topic.

Institutional description:
The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is a global service provider in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development and international education work, with 25.422 employees. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security. Our business volume is around 4 billion euros. As a public-benefit federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government – in particular the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) – and many public and private sector clients in around 120 countries in achieving their objectives in international cooperation. With this aim, GIZ works together with its partners to develop effective solutions that offer people better prospects and sustainably improve their living conditions.

Project description:

The ‘Zambian-German Agricultural Knowledge and Training Centre’ (AKTC), a BMEL BKP project, began its work in 2014 and has been continuously developing ever since. Through field trials, demonstrations and training, the AKTC covers a large proportion of Zambia’s agricultural sector and its challenges, thus contributing to the transformation of the agricultural and food systems in the region. Today, the AKTC is a state-recognised educational institution that has taught more than 20,000 Zambian participants (44% women) in various modular and practical courses. In addition, the AKTC supports local training centres in developing curricula and practical training and supports the Zambian Ministry of Agriculture in developing national strategies (diversification, mechanisation)
Climate change-related challenges such as increasing heat and irregular rainfall have prompted the AKTC to focus intensively on climate-adapted farming methods. In cooperation with the University of Hohenheim, internationally acclaimed experiments in the field of mechanised conservation agriculture have been carried out. The results are immediately incorporated into the training programme.
Site-specific irrigation using satellite technology, the introduction of weather drones, soil sensors and participation in the European Space Agency’s ARIES // EO Africa Explorer Project are expanding the range of innovations at AKTC.
Since the beginning of 2024, AKTC has been preparing cultivation trials for regenerative agriculture and agroecological approaches. Agroforestry systems, crop rotation and cultivation methods without chemical inputs are being tested here. Small farmers benefit from studies on biofertilizers and composts, as well as from concepts for crop diversification and improving smallholder nutrition. These measures contribute to sustainable development and climate change adaptation and offer scalable solutions for farms of different sizes.

Institutional description:
GOPA AFC, founded in 1973 as an independent consultancy, has implemented technical cooperation projects in the field of agriculture and financial sector development in more than 120 countries worldwide. GOPA AFC has been a member of the GOPA Group since the beginning of 2007. As a result, GOPA AFC benefits from the worldwide network of GOPA Group representatives and has access to a common database of more than 40,000 experts, which enables us to engage highly specialized experts for our assignments. GOPA AFC employs more than 865 experts in 94 projects carried out in 66 countries. They are supported by 62 experts in the head office, who perform all administrative and support tasks under the supervision of the management. GOPA AFC has successfully implemented projects with donors such as the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the European Union (EU), KfW Development Bank, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank. The Dutch consultancy MetaMeta Research B.V. has been part of GOPA AFC since January 2024. MetaMeta, based in the Netherlands is a thought leader in the fields of water, agriculture, environment and green infrastructure.

Project description:

In the German-Uruguayan Dialogue on Agriculture (DAUA) implemented by IAK, Component 1 (Micro2Health) is researching the positive potential of the soil microbiome for healthy soils and plants to contribute to long-term sustainable land use. Moreover, the dialogue is supraregional and involves experts and leaders from governmental and scientific institutions in Germany and Uruguay, as well as other Latin American research networks and projects of the BMEL’s Bilateral Cooperation Programme.
Micro2Health investigates and evaluates the performance of bioinocula in different soils, plants, and agricultural practices. In close research cooperation between the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) and the Uruguayan National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIA), bacterial strains are being identified that can improve soil structure, promote plant growth, and alleviate drought stress. With the help of isolates from long-term trials in Uruguay, in vitro and greenhouse experiments are being conducted to test the potential of the bioinocula. These are being studied both individually and in synthetic communities (Syncom), in which different bacterial strains are combined to improve plant and soil health. The best candidates will then be evaluated under field conditions for their effects on biodiversity, soil health, and plant performance. The research not only contributes to the development of resilient inocula, but also supports the use of agroecological practices such as regenerative agriculture and sustainable water management.
In line with the priority topic “Strengthening innovation – promoting communication”, DAUA supports the regional dissemination of research results through innovative dialogue formats. For example, panels have been organized at conferences in Argentina and Chile and studies have been conducted that promote a broader scientific and political discussion on best practice approaches and the use of new technologies in agriculture. Joint study tours to Germany with participants from Argentina and Uruguay have intensified the knowledge exchange.
Micro2Health promotes soil health through its biotechnological approaches and innovation in agriculture through the targeted use of bioinocula. These contribute to the bioeconomy and sustainable use of renewable resources in line with the UN sustainability goals by increasing the resilience of agricultural production and thus helping to maintain efficiency in the long term. The transregional exchange strengthens the communication and dissemination of project results.

Institutional description:
IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH (IAK), headquartered in Leipzig, is an independent agricultural consultancy that has been active in international cooperation and private sector consultancy in Germany and abroad for over 40 years. Its clients in international cooperation include, e.g., BMEL, GIZ, EU and World Bank. Also, IAK works for private clients and for organisations, associations, municipalities and administrations. International cooperation focuses on creating better livelihoods for all through sustainable agricultural and food systems. Other focal points of the IAK's wide-ranging projects include agricultural policy, food security, biodiversity, bioeconomy, organic farming, agriculture and climate change, digitalisation, rural development, agricultural trade, agricultural skills development and gender equality in the agricultural and food sector. We support small and medium-sized farms and enterprises, service providers and cooperatives in agricultural and food systems along the entire value chain in their sustainable development and transformation. We follow a holistic approach to sustainability, which focuses on three areas: •Economics: to maintain an economically viable business model •Ecology: in particular to adapt to climate change and achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets •Social: to create attractive and fair working conditions. This also includes advising various institutions from politics and administration as well as organising knowledge transfer platforms.

Project description:

Kauswagan’s shift to organic agriculture and the ‘From Arms to Farms’ program, transforming former conflict zones into thriving farming communities, resonates with the theme, “Food Systems for Our Future: Joining Forces for a Zero Hunger World” because this model emphasizes sustainable practices and showcases increased food production and poverty reduction, aligning with the conference’s goal of building resilient food systems for a hunger-free world. Such efforts, spanning more than a decade, made significant contribution to peacebuilding efforts in southern Philippines while healing the soil, conserving our natural resources and uplifting the lives of citizens. Overcoming challenges for a number of years, this is an innovative approach to conflict resolution through localized food sufficiency efforts to end hunger.

Institutional description:
Founded in 1972, IFOAM – Organics International is a membership-based organisation working to bring true sustainability to agriculture across the globe.

Project description:

By harnessing the natural efficiency of mycelium fermentation, we employ advanced biotechnology to create singular foods with minimal environmental impact. This innovation offers natural alternatives for meat and other animal products, enhancing taste and nutritional value while reducing the number of ingredients and ecological footprint. Infinite Roots is setting new benchmarks in the food industry, aiming for a future where food production is both health-conscious and
sustainable, ensuring food security for future generations to come.

Institutional description:
Infinite Roots, a pioneering biotech company based in Hamburg, has been at the forefront of developing innovative food products derived from mycelium, the root-like structures of edible fungi, since 2018. Our mission is to deliver delicious, nutritious, and sustainable food solutions that benefit both people and the planet.

Project description:

In the German-Uruguayan Dialogue on Agriculture (DAUA) implemented by IAK, Component 1 (Micro2Health) is researching the positive potential of the soil microbiome for healthy soils and plants to contribute to long-term sustainable land use. Moreover, the dialogue is supraregional and involves experts and leaders from governmental and scientific institutions in Germany and Uruguay, as well as other Latin American research networks and projects of the BMEL’s Bilateral Cooperation Programme.
Micro2Health investigates and evaluates the performance of bioinocula in different soils, plants, and agricultural practices. In close research cooperation between the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) and the Uruguayan National Institute for Agricultural Research (INIA), bacterial strains are being identified that can improve soil structure, promote plant growth, and alleviate drought stress. With the help of isolates from long-term trials in Uruguay, in vitro and greenhouse experiments are being conducted to test the potential of the bioinocula. These are being studied both individually and in synthetic communities (Syncom), in which different bacterial strains are combined to improve plant and soil health. The best candidates will then be evaluated under field conditions for their effects on biodiversity, soil health, and plant performance. The research not only contributes to the development of resilient inocula, but also supports the use of agroecological practices such as regenerative agriculture and sustainable water management.
In line with the priority topic “Strengthening innovation – promoting communication”, DAUA supports the regional dissemination of research results through innovative dialogue formats. For example, panels have been organized at conferences in Argentina and Chile and studies have been conducted that promote a broader scientific and political discussion on best practice approaches and the use of new technologies in agriculture. Joint study tours to Germany with participants from Argentina and Uruguay have intensified the knowledge exchange.
Micro2Health promotes soil health through its biotechnological approaches and innovation in agriculture through the targeted use of bioinocula. These contribute to the bioeconomy and sustainable use of renewable resources in line with the UN sustainability goals by increasing the resilience of agricultural production and thus helping to maintain efficiency in the long term. The transregional exchange strengthens the communication and dissemination of project results.

Institutional description:
JKI is the German Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, an autonomous federal authority affiliated to the German Ministry of Food and Agriculture. Our work revolves around plant genetics and breeding research as well as cultivation, nutrition and protection of cultivated plants. The effects of climate change, globalization, and urbanization of society, as well as declining natural resources and biological diversity pose major challenges to agriculture. JKI’s research ensures that future generations continue to benefit from the production of healthy and robust cultivated plants, hence our motto „securing tomorrow's resources“ Our research in these areas is conducted in 18 spezialized subinstitutes at 9 locations. The individual institutes are assigned to three thematic pillars: • Plant genetic diversity, breeding research • Protection of crops • Agroecosystems It enables us to provide comprehensive scientific advice to the Federal Government. Our aim is to ensure the production of healthy and highly productive robust cultivated plants whether they are grown in fields, orchards, vineyards, forests or urban environments. We promote the sustainable production and use of our crops as basic nutrients, renewable resources and essential elements in cultural landscapes while aiming to maintain plant diversity.

Project description:

Agriculture is not only a producer of food and feed but also plays a significant role as a producer of a variety of bio-based raw materials for industrial processes. As a development bank for the German agricultural sector and rural areas, Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank aims to promote the material and energetic use of agricultural products or by-products and to help shape the transition to a bio-based, low-emission circular economy. To achieve this goal, Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank provides financial resources to support strategic initiatives and other funding activities to strengthen the start-up ecosystem in the areas of agriculture, food, and bioeconomy.

The supported partners who are also applying include:
The Future Forest Initiative, which supports the further development of forestry towards becoming an enabler of the bioeconomy, so that the forestry sector can provide the industry with the necessary raw materials for a future bio-economy in a transparent, reliable, and high-quality manner.
RootCamps, which, in the project “Bioeconomy DeepDives,” conduct in-depth value chain analyses in areas relevant to the bioeconomy and identify innovation potentials. The first DeepDive has already addressed the topic of industrial hemp.

Institutional description:
The Rentenbank is a German development bank that was founded in 1949 and is headquartered in Frankfurt am Main. The funding programs of Rentenbank are aimed at farmers, vintners, gardeners, as well as companies and municipalities in rural areas. They cover a wide range of areas, including investments in renewable energies, the agricultural and food industry, rural infrastructure, and environmental protection. Rentenbank supports both established companies and start-ups, providing various financing instruments for this purpose. A special feature of Rentenbank is its focus on the common good. It operates not for profit but solely in the interest of promoting rural areas. In summary, Rentenbank plays a central role in financing and promoting sustainable projects in rural areas of Germany, thereby contributing to the stability and development of the agricultural economy and rural regions.

Project description:

Since 2023, LI-BIRD is an implementing organisation of the Himalayan Agroecology Initiative(see also here), a strategic endeavour that develops, builds capacities and facilitates the implementation of roadmaps for agroecological food systems. Agroecology is of critical importance for securing a sustainable transition towards an increased use of renewable resources, the basis for a sustainable bio-based economy and the four key topics of this year’s GFFA: 1. Sustainably producing biomass – Solving conflicts of interests; 2. Sustainably using biomass – Ensuring global food security; 3. Strengthening innovation – Promoting communication; as well as 4. Providing fair framework conditions – Harnessing change are reflected in the strategic objectives of the forthcoming National Agroecology Roadmap of Nepal. At the GFFA 2025 we can provide major insights into the challenges and opportunities.

Since its inception, LI-BIRD has successfully completed over 200 projects. Currently, LI-BIRD operates with an annual portfolio of USD 2.4 million with 111 full-time staff (42% women) managing 18 projects across 48 municipalities in 18 districts of five provinces of Nepal. LI-BIRD’s work is widely recognized at local, national, and international levels. To date, it has received several national and international awards such as CARE Nepal’s Partner’s Choice Award for Natural Resource Management and Climate Justice – 2023; ICIMOD’s Resilient Mountain Solutions People’s Choice Award 2023; Outstanding NGO of the Year Award 2016 (Kaski District), International Swiss ReSource Award 2014, and Science and Technology Promotion Award 2007 received from the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).

Institutional description:
LI-BIRD, a Nepali expert NGO active in the agroecology pathway towards achieving a sustainable, circular bioeconomy in Nepal Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) is a not-for-profit non-governmental organisation established in 1995 in Pokhara, Nepal. LI-BIRD’s mission is to diversify choices and secure livelihoods of farming communities specially smallholders, through innovative approaches to research and development in agriculture, biodiversity and natural resources ensuring environmental, gender and social safeguards. LI-BIRD’s goal is to contribute to reducing poverty by strengthening resilient livelihood systems, improving ecosystem health and services, and ensuring food, nutrition and income security of marginal and vulnerable farmers specially women. LI-BIRD is a value-based organization and is committed to capitalizing on local resources, innovations, and institutions for improving livelihoods of rural smallholders and marginalized farmers. LI-BIRD works through its three strategic programmes which are: (i) Resilient Agri-food Systems for Food and Nutrition Security; (ii) Biodiversity and ecosystem Health for Resilience Landscape and Communities; and (iii) Climate Action for Community Resilience. It has been a pioneer organization in developing and strengthening participatory research and development approaches in agriculture, climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management, many of which has been mainstreamed at national policies and plans. LI-BIRD's past 30 years of work in Nepal has positively impacted the environment, including restoration and conservation of biodiversity, natural habitats and ecosystems, and enhanced the livelihoods of the rural poor and marginalised farmers through appropriate technological, social and policy changes.

Project description:

The project aims to implement strategies to develop and expand bio-inputs associated with biological nitrogen fixation and phosphorus and potassium solubilization in grassland agriculture. This will reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and contribute to the development of low-carbon agriculture.
Studies have demonstrated bio-inputs’ potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health and increase crop productivity.
The focus is on biological nitrogen fixation in grasses—both cereals and pastures—which cover millions of hectares in Brazil and globally. This approach holds significant potential to reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions, with the capacity to mitigate up to 18 million tons of CO₂ equivalent annually on a global scale, making a substantial impact on the fight against climate change.
The already underway project includes identifying products (many already patented and available), promoting research and development for new products and uses, and eliminating bottlenecks to the increased use of bio-inputs, such as lack of knowledge, technical assistance, regulatory issues, and others.

Institutional description:
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) manages public policies to stimulate agriculture, promote agribusiness, and regulate services related to the sector. Thus, the Ministry of Agriculture seeks to integrate under its management the marketing, technological, scientific, environmental and organizational aspects of the production sector, in addition to managing the economic and financial policies for agribusiness. By integrating sustainable development and competitiveness, MAPA aims to guarantee food security for the Brazilian population and the production of surpluses for export, strengthening the national production sector and favoring Brazil's insertion in the international market. To achieve its objectives, MAPA has a permanent structure in Brasília and direct representation in the states through 27 Superintendencies and their respective units. There is also a network of laboratories and six collegiate bodies. The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) is a public corporation that operates under the supervision of MAPA. In addition, the Ministry coordinates 31 sectoral committees and seven thematic committees related to the different productive sectors of Brazilian agribusiness to organize discussions with the private sector and propose public policies.

Project description:

To ensure food security, the first priority is to avoid the enormous post-harvest losses. Without sensible and technically optimised processing of the harvested crop, losses cannot be avoided or reduced. RIELA manufactures technical solutions such as shellers, cleaners, dryers, grain storage silos and grinding and mixing systems. By minimising post-harvest losses, farmers and cooperatives can generate better income. This has a direct impact on improving the economic situation. By utilising biomass and waste in the grain industry, energy can be produced that can be used in a variety of ways.

Institutional description:
Riela Karl-Heinz Knoop e. K. is a family business founded in 1972 that manufactures machines and systems for grain processing for export worldwide. These include silo conveying and drying systems, as well as grinding and mixing systems for animal feed production. The product range also includes belt drying systems and pusher-turn dryers for drying biomass or foodstuffs. RIELA has set itself the goal of offering energy-efficient products to its customers and also to produce in an energy-efficient and sustainable manner.

Project description:

The agricultural sector is not only a producer of food and feed, but also plays a significant role as a producer of a wide variety of bio-based raw materials for industrial processes. As a development bank for German agriculture and rural areas, the Landwirtschaftliche Rentenbank aims to promote the material and energy use of agricultural products or by-products and to help shape the transition to a bio-based, low-emission circular economy. To achieve this goal, the Rentenbank provides financial resources to support strategic initiatives and other funding activities aimed at strengthening the start-up ecosystem in the fields of agriculture, nutrition, and the bioeconomy.

The partners are:

1. RootCamp with the “Bioeconomy Deep Dives”. On behalf of the BMEL and funded by the Rentenbank, RootCamp conducts the Bioeconomy Deep Dives. This series aims to identify innovation gaps in selected value chains. Through joint efforts, we identify opportunities, overcome inefficiencies, and pave the way for the transformation toward a bioeconomy.
2. The Future Forest Initiative, which supports the development of forest management into an enabler of the bioeconomy. This ensures that the forestry sector can provide the necessary raw materials for a future bioeconomy to the industry in a transparent, reliable, and high-quality manner.

Institutional description:
RootCamp is an innovation hub focused on AgriFood Tech and Bioeconomy innovations based in Hannover, Lower Saxony, the biggest AgriFood Center in Germany. Driving the transformation towards sustainable agrifood systems RootCamp's mission is to bridge the innovation gaps between impact driven startups and corporates by providing financing, expertise and a powerful network. Together with the Agricultural Bank Rentenbank and the Future Forest Initiative we are applying for a shared booth.

Project description:

What is the SWG?
The “SWG” stands for Regional Rural Development Standing Working Group in South Eastern Europe. It is an International Intergovernmental Organization consisted of governmental institutions responsible for agriculture and rural development in respective countries and territories. It is a platform for networking and regional co – operation among the SEE countries and territories in the field of agriculture and rural development. It was founded on the basis of a common wish to establish an organization for sustainable rural development in SEE.

Vision
Innovative and sustainable agriculture and rural development through cohesive regional co-operation for improvement of rural livelihoods in the SEE countries

Mission
To increase horizontal collaboration among respective countries and territories of SEE, coordinating regional initiatives related to agriculture and rural development and support the process of economic development in rural areas of Southeastern Europe

General Objective
To facilitate close cooperation among the Ministries of Agriculture and other stakeholders in the field of agriculture and rural development and to support the EU integration

Project description:

We look for innovative farmers to test an innovative nitrate biosensor in winter wheat! | Farmers face the challenge of providing crops with the right nutrients, balancing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K) to optimize both yield quantity and quality. The EIC-funded LiveSen-MAP project envisions providing farmers with precise nutrient forecasts for their fields. To achieve this, the project is creating a high-resolution dataset of crop nutrient status over multiple seasons. Our team has developed an easy-to-use biosensor that measures nutrient concentrations in plant sap, delivering real-time results directly in the field.

In our first campaign, 35 farmers in Bavaria participated, covering 60 fields and over 600 hectares. The second campaign will expand to all of Germany and neighboring countries, involving 180 farmers.

Benefits in a nutshell:

• Precise fertilizer recommendations: Exact nitrate values through a biosensor analysis that determines the actual nutrient status of the plants.
• Up to 20% fertilizer savings: Optimized nitrate supply for stable yields at lower costs.
• Variety performance analysis: A simple comparison of the nitrate uptake of different varieties directly in the field.
• Speed and cost savings: 300 times faster and 5 times cheaper than conventional laboratory analysis.
• Well-founded evaluations: sustainable recommendations for fertilization and variety selection.

We partner with various organizations to ensure comprehensive nutrient management and aim to have market-ready technology by 2026. A key benefit of the project is its potential to significantly reduce environmental impact while maintaining high crop yields. Our sensors will also measure phosphate and other nutrients, empowering farmers to contribute to climate-neutral agriculture.

Institutional description:
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) ranks first in the industry, innovation, and infrastructure category in the THE University Impact Ranking. It is a leading German university in natural and engineering sciences, known as the ‘Entrepreneurial University’ with 85 spin-offs in 2023. Eight years ago, TUM opened its youngest campus, Campus Straubing, where various disciplines collaborate to develop and implement sustainable technologies. TUM Campus Straubing, an ‘Integrative Research Institute’ in cooperation with Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences, systematically expands its research and teaching capacities. Academic programs include Biogenic Materials, Bioeconomy, Biomass Technology, Chemical Biotechnology, Sustainable Management and Technology, and Technology of Biogenic Resources, along with bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses.

Project description:

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) assists countries to join and benefit in the transition towards a regenerative circular bioeconomy through targeted technical cooperation services in both food and non-food sectors. UNIDO applies food-energy-water nexus solutions to challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation, reduction of food loss, and the objective of ending hunger.

UNIDO’s initiatives focus on maximizing the use of sustainably sourced biomass, including agricultural residues, industrial by-products, and food waste. By transforming these materials into value-added products such as bio-based chemicals, organic fertilizers and bioenergy, UNIDO helps countries reduce waste, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance resource efficiency through cascading use of biomass. This not only supports environmental sustainability but also boosts economic competitiveness and job creation.

UNIDO promotes the adoption of innovative technologies and practices that improve agricultural productivity and resilience. This includes for example optimizing water use and integrating renewable energy sources to power agriculture. Food loss and waste is reduced through introducing improved dry- and cold- storage facilities and better processing and preservation techniques, including sustainable packaging. In the non-food sector, UNIDO supports the development of bio-based industries that utilize biogenic by-products, thereby creating new market opportunities and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. UNIDO’s technical cooperation services help countries build sustainable and resilient economies. These efforts contribute to climate change mitigation, reduce land degradation, enhance biodiversity conservation, and the overall well-being of local communities.

Institutional description:
UNIDO is a specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote, dynamize and accelerate industrial development. Our mandate is reflected in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9: “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”, however UNIDO’s activities contribute to all the SDGs. UNIDO’s vision is a world without poverty and hunger, where industry drives low-emission economies, improves living standards, and preserves the livable environment for present and future generations, leaving no one behind. Our work is concentrated on three focus areas: ending hunger by helping businesses from farm to fork; stopping climate breakdown by using renewable energy and energy efficiency to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions; and supporting sustainable supply chains so that developing country producers get a fair deal and scarce resources are preserved.

Project description:

Rebug2Debug (Rwanda) – Turning organic food waste into bio fertilizer and proteinaceous animal feed

Around 30 percent of global food is wasted annually, including in countries with limited access to post-harvest facilities, such as Rwanda. Apart from food waste, widespread food insecurity affects hundreds of millions due to issues like low productivity and affordability. Rebug2Debug’s innovation utilizes the Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) to process organic waste, providing protein-rich feed and organic fertilizer. This circular solution aims to enhance smallholder farmers’ productivity in Rwanda by offering affordable organic fertilizer and reducing the cost of protein production through the use of BSFL in high-quality, cost-effective animal feed. Utilizing insect technology, Rebug2Debug’s process of transforming coffee pulp and organic waste into fertilizer is five times faster than conventional composting methods. The production process of this fertilizer prevents the emission of two tons of CO2 equivalent per ton of fertilizer produced, contributing to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Institutional description:
As part of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), the world's largest humanitarian organization, the WFP Innovation Accelerator was founded in 2015 to identify, support and scale high-impact innovations to achieve Zero Hunger and the wider Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It provides innovators from external startups, non-profit innovations and internal WFP solutions with access to funding, mentorship and hands-on assistance and connects them to WFP’s global network in over 120 countries and territories. The WFP Innovation Accelerator’s use of innovation to deliver its mandate ranges from high-technology solutions, like blockchain, digital cash, and artificial intelligence, to impactful low-technology solutions, like hermetic bags, hydroponics and innovative business models. The topics span resilience-focused fields such as sustainable food systems, nutrition, and climate-smart agriculture, as well as humanitarian-focused areas such as emergency response, supply chain operations, and cash-based transfers. To date, the WFP Innovation Accelerator has supported more than 168 innovation ventures, with 22 innovations scaling up globally. These innovations reached 60.7 million people across 70 countries in 2023 alone.

Project description:

The Weihenstephan-Triesdorf University of Applied Sciences (HSWT) is introducing an innovative approach to international education and training with its project “HSWT goes international: Internationalizing Best Practices.” This project aims to enhance global collaboration and advance sustainable development topics, which are particularly relevant to the 2025 GFFA focus, namely the promotion of sustainable innovations, applied research, and knowledge transfer, as well as fostering the resilient transformation of agricultural and food systems.
A key component of the “HSWT goes international” strategy is developing training programs and educational offerings tailored to international educators and professionals in the agricultural sector, particularly from Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and Africa. These programs focus on agricultural production, processing, and rural development, along with “Innovation and Start-ups in Food Value Chains.” The latter targets entrepreneurs who aim to develop sustainable start-up ideas along the food supply chain, with a strong emphasis on ecologically and socially sustainable production and marketing approaches.
Additionally, HSWT is planning to introduce an international Master’s program in “Sustainable Regional Development,” a further education Master’s in “Sustainable Agricultural and Farm Management,” and a “WB-Moodle Learning Management Portal,” offering practical teaching units and learning experiences in multiple languages to cater to a diverse audience.
These initiatives underscore HSWT’s commitment to providing international education with tangible value and, through partnerships with universities in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, to strengthening the global competencies of educators and professionals in the agricultural sector.

Institutional description:
Applied Sciences for Life - Applied Life Sciences We are one of the leading national and international universities of applied sciences and green engineering. Excellent teaching with a strong practical orientation and applied research form the core of our self-image. We stand for anchoring the principles of sustainability in society and the economy. The sustainable use and protection of all natural resources are our motivation. At the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, our focus lies on the people: we promote their talent development in an open working and learning environment. We derive our strategies from the potential of their diversity and offer equal opportunities in all aspects. We reflect the living environment of the social groups at our university locations and network intensively with the citizens in the region. Thanks to our broad international network, we work with over 80 international agricultural partner universities in more than 40 countries.

Project description:

WIWEX GmbH, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Universidad de La Habana and its foundation are co-founders of InCuba, Cuba’s first academic incubator for innovation and business ideas. Founded in 2015, the InCuba incubator has since achieved impressive results, and incubators and innovation labs are now in place at all of Cuba’s leading universities. Since 2019, a particular focus has been on agricultural start-ups, agricultural innovations and the transfer of these innovations into products that can meet the diverse requirements of a sustainable transformation of agricultural and food systems in Germany and Cuba, but also worldwide. In 2024, WIWEX had the opportunity to further develop and test two Cuban innovations in collaboration with the experimental station of the Institute for Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects (IASP) at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. One, Biobras, is a natural biostimulant that increases stress resistance and protects plants against pests and extreme weather conditions. The other, Nerea Plus, is a micro NPK fertilizer that uses natural zeolite as a substrate to significantly reduce the amount of conventional NPK. The two technologies offer solutions for resource-conserving, climate-resilient and organic food cultivation, which makes it possible to increase yields with ecologically sustainable production. The experimental results of this South-North technology transfer are very promising, with significant yield and efficiency increases, and registration of both products is being initiated. During the GFFA, we want to a) promote the obtained products and find partners for further testing and production, b) present a blueprint of South-North technology transfer and cooperation involving joint public and private initiative. The project is funded by WIWEX with support from the BMBF.

Institutional description:
WIWEX GmbH was founded in 2007 by the Association of Students and Alumni of the Humboldt University's School of Business and Economics. Its aim is to support the university in its activities and fundraising. It does this by organizing workshops and fairs and by participating in transfer projects such as the cooperation of the Humboldt University with the Universidad de La Habana and its foundation. In this regard, WIWEX has participated in various transfer projects, especially in the creation of business incubators and the support of these projects up to the financing of international patent applications. WIWEX cooperates with the Institute for Agricultural and Urban Ecological Projects (IASP) of the Humboldt University in Berlin in the development and testing of biostimulants and optimized fertilizer release substrates.