DAKIS at the Industry Transfer Workshop of the Agricultural Systems of the Future

At the two-day industry transfer workshop at the Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics Potsdam (AIP), around 150 participants from research, industry, politics and civil society came together to discuss the practical implementation of research results and the next steps on the path to sustainable agricultural systems. The Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Claudia Müller, emphasized the importance of comprehensive trans- and interdisciplinary approaches for a sustainable and at the same time competitive agriculture. Technological developments, digital applications and obstacles to the market launch of sustainable agricultural solutions were discussed in expert dialogues and interactive workshop sessions. The exhibition showcased the wide range of project innovations: From a digital tool for the optimal placement of insect mounds for erosion and diversity protection (DAKIS) to a reaction collar for grazing animals(GreenGrass) and modular lightweight compartments for indoor cultivation(food4future) to drones equipped with special sensor technology for AI-supported plant population analysis(NOcsPS). A food tasting offered samples of new foods such as algae ice cream, jellyfish salad and sustainably produced smoked fish.

Exhibition of DAKIS exhibits

State Secretary Claudia Müller’s visible interest in the exhibits presented by DAKIS was particularly pleasing. The project coordination team headed by Prof. Dr. Sonoko Bellingrath-Kimura presented the exhibits. Marvin Melzer presented a surface runoff model that illustrates the water retention capacity of insect walls(beetle banks). The EROSPOT web app was then presented, in which suitable locations for beetle banks are provided in digital form. Finally, Hannes Dettmann explained how the DAKIS prototype works on the touchscreen.

Second funding phase with more practical relevance

A central concern of the second funding phase is to strengthen the transfer of knowledge and cooperation with practitioners. “Research into the agricultural systems of the future should not remain in the laboratory, it must be put into practice in order to make agriculture more sustainable, more resource-efficient, more resilient and fairer – an agriculture that focuses on people and the environment,” emphasizes Prof. Monika Schreiner, Co-Head of the AdZ Coordination Office at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ). Prof. Thomas Weith, Co-Head of the Coordination Office at the Institute for Regional and Urban Development Research (ILS), adds: “The transformation of the agricultural sector can only succeed if science, business and society work together. With the second funding phase, we have the opportunity to intensify the dialog between science and practice. Our aim is to test innovations together with all stakeholders and pave the way for their implementation.”

The “Agricultural Systems of the Future” coordination office at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) and the Institute of Regional and Urban Development Research (ILS) supports the projects in their implementation by promoting cross-consortia cooperation and exchange with all relevant stakeholders.