The “Internationale Grüne Woche” in Berlin opened its doors again in January and in 20025 once again sent out a strong signal in terms of sustainability. The Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB) presented itself with three research projects in the hall of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) on the topics of "Biodiversity & Climate Protection" and "Future-proof Animal Husbandry". Many visitors took the opportunity to find out more at our stands and showed great interest in the interactive presentations on our JaetRobi, ET4D and WetNetBB research projects.
Numerous discussions provided the opportunity to exchange ideas with representatives from politics, business and science. A particular highlight for us were the visits by State Secretary Dünow (MWFK) and State Secretary Bender (BMEL), who informed themselves in detail about our research work. Tobias Dünow specifically visited the Brandenburg Leibniz Institutes - IGZ, ZALF and ATB - and took a lot of time for an intensive and exciting exchange on each of the projects.
The JaetRobi project used a new, interactive exhibit at its boost to inform visitors about research into innovative approaches to herbicide-free weed control in vegetable crops using carrots as an example. With the help of small weed replicas, our colleagues demonstrated the image recognition process and the automated removal of weeds in the young two-leaf stage using a laser or a mechanical hoeing module. Both techniques met with great interest on site.
At the ET4D project boost, our guests were able to interactively find out about climate and emissions in animal husbandry. We presented various sensors, as well as an online tool for providing and processing the data obtained. VR glasses allowed interested guests to take a virtual visit to the barn. Here, sensor data could be visualized to visually understand the climate and conditions in the barn.
The WetNetBB project presented current approaches to the utilisation of paludibiomass, i.e. plants that grow on rewetted peat soils. Numerous visitors took the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the various raw materials, processed materials and products at our interactive exhibit. Experiencing and touching the materials directly on site was particularly popular.
The project presentation was rounded off by a panel discussion on the stage of the BMEL hall on Wednesday, 22 January 2025. Moderator Susanne Engels (HNEE) discussed with her guests Steffen Pingen (Bauernverband), Marc de la Barré (farmer) and Ralf Pecenka (ATB) about the benefit of rewetted peatlands and the associated challenges, goals and wishes.
On the same day, interested visitors were also invited to take part in the workshop "Digitalisation for agroecology" at Hub 27. The aim of the workshop, which was organised by the ATB as part of the EU project D4AgEcol, was to identify the opportunities and risks of digitalisation for agroecology and to define the need for action for the various target groups, such as politics, agriculture, industry, society and science. Inspiring pitches from various stakeholders kicked off the event and formed a constructive basis for numerous valuable discussions between scientists, entrepreneurs, consultants and other practitioners. An all-round successful networking event.
"The Green Week was a complete success and once again provided an excellent platform for establishing a dialogue between our researchers and interested people from various interest groups. I would like to thank everyone involved at the ATB as well as the respective project partners. Together, we are taking the transformation of agricultural, food and nutrition systems towards a bio-based circular economy a step further," summarises Prof. Barbara Sturm, Scientific Director at the ATB.
The numerous and exciting discussions with visitors and experts from agriculture, politics and research provided us with valuable inspiration. We are already looking forward to the next Green Week, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026!