Joining forces for the agricultural technology of the future: eight partners from Germany, the Netherlands and France have sealed their strategic cooperation. By signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), they are laying the foundation for positioning Europe as a global innovation hub for agricultural robotics. The alliance, which also includes the Agrotech Valley Forum and the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), will expand its cooperation in research, innovation and transfer in the long term.
Global challenges such as water scarcity, climate change, pest infestation and high sustainability requirements threaten the production of fresh food. The labour shortage is having a massive impact on the production and processing of all types of crops in agriculture.
"We in Germany face these challenges just as much as our European neighbours. At the same time, we have globally recognised expertise in the areas of agriculture and food production as well as technology development, particularly in Germany, France and the Netherlands, with a special focus on agricultural robotics and artificial intelligence. By moving even closer together in Europe and pooling our expertise, we can not only confidently meet the challenges of our time, but also strengthen Europe's economic position. It is an absolute highlight for us to set scientific milestones side by side with our outstanding partners INRAE and Wageningen. In this way, we are bringing together the best minds and creating groundbreaking solutions at an international level," explains Prof. Dr. Barbara Sturm, Scientific Director at ATB.
The planned joint work of the MoU partners will focus on:
- autonomous technologies for the cultivation and harvesting of high-quality crops and for pruning fruit trees,
- contributions to standardisation and applied research for safe and AI-enabled autonomous agricultural machinery that can be quickly put into practice
- resilient and sustainable agriculture through a reduction in pesticides, optimisation of water consumption and the use of autonomous machines, tractors and intelligent systems.
European cooperation should primarily involve farmers, manufacturers, certification bodies and policy makers, whether through consultations, public events or communication campaigns.
The two German players, Agrotech Valley Forum and ATB, are already working closely together to bring research, the agricultural industry and agricultural robotics closer together. "In the “KI-Reallabor Agrar” (RLA), which began its work last year, and with our joint project for a major strategic expansion of ATB with a second location in Lower Saxony, we are already specifically strengthening the networking of practice and research. Our goal – now also across national borders – is to jointly develop and use technologies that will strengthen agriculture and at the same time contribute to a sustainable food supply," says Dr Henning Müller, Chairman of Agrotech Valley Forum.
The signing took place on 16 January 2026 at the French Embassy in Berlin in the presence of French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard and Dutch Agriculture Minister Jean Rummenie. "We are delighted to have received this exclusive invitation to co-found this high-calibre working group. Not only are we intensifying our cooperation, but we are also granting each other access to important areas in the agricultural industry and agricultural technology research. In doing so, we want to accelerate innovations in key technologies for a sustainable agricultural and food sector, strengthen European sovereignty and increase international visibility," summarises Prof. Sturm.
About ATB:
The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy is a pioneer and driver of systemic-technical bioeconomy research.
We create the scientific basis 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 system approach, and we manage these in a knowledge-based, adaptive and largely automated manner using converging technologies.
We conduct research in dialogue with society, political decision-makers, industry and other stakeholders – motivated by knowledge and inspired by application.
Contact:
Prof Dr Barbara Sturm
Scientific Director
Email: director@atb-potsdam.de
Dr Ulrike Glaubitz
Press and Public Relations Officer
Email: presse@atb-potsdam.de
Tel: 0331-5699 820