Regardless of the continent, agricultural producers face the same challenges. Climate change is reducing the reliability of the necessary precipitation and requires adjustments to cultivation, crop rotations, variety selection and much more. The Argentinian scientific organisation INTA (Instituto Nacional De Tecnología Agropecuaria) and the German Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy e.V. (ATB) in Potsdam have laid the foundation for future cooperation in this field.
The Argentinian INTA experimental station Manfredi in the province of Córdoba with around 1,500 hectares and the Leibniz Innovation Farm for Sustainable Bioeconomy (InnoHof) in the district of Potsdam-Mittelmark, coordinated by the ATB, as well as other practical farms in Brandenburg, operate under the same climate change challenges and thus offer an excellent testing ground. During the visit by researchers from the INTA research station at the ATB, which was funded by the BMLEH in the German-Argentinean agricultural dialogue - it became clear how diverse the approaches can be under the changed conditions.
During this visit, the partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This marks the start of joint work and mutual learning in order to jointly tackle challenges such as adapting to climate change with the help of new, innovative solutions. Following a systemic approach, the partners want to reflect on the best-practice experiences of one region in the other and examine their transferability. The focus is on optimising operational measures as well as tapping into the potential of automation and digitalisation. The first step is to determine the current sustainability status of the two regions. The work and research programme is based on the many years of preparatory work and resources of the two partners: on the ATB side, these are the research topics of the collaboration: precision crop production, sustainability assessment, digitalisation and automation. INTA is contributing its many years of expertise in arid regions, experts from numerous fields, and its pilot site with its comprehensive database.
Together, the partners will develop practical solutions, strengthen the exchange of employees and facilitate further training activities. A return visit to Argentina is already planned for late summer.
The background
Agricultural technology and bioeconomy can have a direct impact on current food security challenges, especially in times of climate change, biodiversity and other crises. They have an impact on the core issues of society's future livelihoods and economic foundations. Overcoming key challenges of the future, such as adapting to climate change, requires new innovative methods of crop cultivation, animal husbandry, sustainability and environmental protection in agriculture as well as in the downstream areas of food and material utilisation of biogenic raw materials. In addition to land management adapted to the natural environment, rising population figures and the current exorbitant consumption require efficient use of resources. The ATB as a research institution and INTA as a scientific organisation pursue the same approach in dealing with these issues.
About ATB
The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy is a pioneer and driver of systemic-technical bioeconomy research.
We create scientific foundations for the transformation of agricultural, food, other industrial and energy systems into a sustainable bio-based circular economy. We develop, implement and integrate technologies, techniques, processes and management strategies, we strategically integrate a variety of bioeconomic production systems within a comprehensive systems approach and we manage these in a knowledge-based, adaptive and largely automated manner using converging technologies. With the Leibniz Innovation Farm for Sustainable Bioeconomy, we coordinate a unique network of infrastructures and partners to bring a sustainable, bio-based circular economy into practice.
We conduct research in dialogue with society, political decision-makers, industry and other interest groups - motivated by knowledge and inspired by application.
About INTA
The Instituto Nacional De Tecnología Agropecuaria is a decentralised public agency with operational and financial autonomy under the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock of the Ministry of Economy of Argentina.
Founded in 1956, its objectives and endeavours are focused on innovation as a driver of national development. As a member of the National System of Science, Technology and Innovation, INTA develops capacities for the agro-industrial sector and participates in networks that promote inter-institutional co-operation. The Institute generates knowledge and technologies that are made available to different sectors of society through advisory, information and communication systems.
Contact
Aquiles Salinas, INTA Manfredi/Córdoba
E-Mail: salinas.aquiles@inta.gob.ar
Dr. Anja Hansen, Leibniz-Institut für Agrartechnik und Bioökonomie e.V. (ATB)
E-Mail: innohof@atb-potsdam.de