Alternative proteins could play an important role in building sustainable and future-ready food systems. Particularly in the Global South, they have the potential to conserve resources, strengthen food security and increase resilience to climate change. We spoke with researchers from TU Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin about the opportunities and challenges of alternative proteins, and what it will take to realise their potential.
Dr. Harry Hoffmann is a postdoctoral researcher in Agricultural and Food Policy at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. As part of the RI-ProT and “Future Ferments” projects, his research focuses on the governance of alternative proteins. Previously, he worked at TMG Research, the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), and Welthungerhilfe. He holds a PhD in Agricultural Sciences from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Luise Lallinger is a research associate at the Department of Food Biotechnology and Process Engineering at TU Berlin. She is pursuing a PhD on alternative protein sources for meat substitute products.
Sonja Segowski holds a Master’s degree in Food Technology. As part of her Master’s thesis at Technische Universität Berlin, she researched the use of sesame press cake as an alternative raw material for meat substitute products.
The global food system in its current configuration is fundamentally unsustainable (Horton, 2017). The production and consumption of animal protein stand out in particular, as approximately 30% of the Earth’s surface is used directly or indirectly for its production (Rauw et al., 2023).
In addition, 10% of global freshwater resources, around 12,000 km3, are used for animal protein production (FAO, 2019). Its climate impact is also significant: depending on the source, livestock farming accounts for an estimated 11–20% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions (FAO, 2014; Kabange et al., 2023; Verkuijl et al., 2024). Despite these considerable environmental impacts, animal protein makes up a comparatively small share of the human diet: only 28% comes from animal sources, compared with 57% from plant-based sources.
MEAT CONSUMPTION
High per capita meat consumption and the associated lifestyle-related diseases remain a challenge primarily in countries of the Global North.
In countries such as Germany, the United States, France and the Netherlands, for example, the ratio of animal to plant protein consumption is well above 60:40 (Drewnowski & Hooker, 2025), while many experts consider the reverse ratio of 40:60 to be significantly more beneficial.
This applies not only in terms of land use and environmental impacts (Simon et al., 2024), but also to human health (Glenn et al., 2024). Several countries, particularly in Northern Europe, such as the Netherlands (Bulah et al., 2024) and Germany, are promoting the expansion of the plant-based and fermented food sector. In Germany, for example, this includes the establishment of the “Competence Centre for Proteins of the Future”[2] and its affiliated “Forum for Proteins of the Future”. However, parts of the population remain sceptical of meat substitute products (Pronk et al., 2025).
ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS – WHAT ARE THEY?
To address the negative impacts of meat consumption in the Global North, so-called alternative proteins[2] have gained increasing attention, particularly over the past decade. In general, alternative proteins are often understood as technologically processed and prepared protein products or substitutes designed to replicate the taste, texture and nutritional value of conventional meat.
Alternative proteins are commonly divided into three main categories: plant-based meat (PBM), proteins derived from plant-based ingredients that are extruded or otherwise textured to imitate conventional meat; proteins produced through so-called precision fermentation, which have so far focused primarily on dairy and egg alternatives; and cultivated meat, which is still largely at the experimental stage.
PBM in particular, which is de facto the only viable option for the Global South, at least in the medium term, has already captured a significant share of the European market. In Germany alone, total sales of plant-based foods reached €1.7 billion in 2025, while plant-based milk alternatives, for example, accounted for an impressive 9.2% of the German milk market (Breewood, 2026).
ALTERNATIVE PROTEINS IN THE GLOBAL SOUTH
In the "Global South", however, alternative proteins do not yet play a significant role in people’s diets, even though many countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, are affected by the so-called double burden of malnutrition (Kapur, 2024). This means that high levels of undernutrition coexist with a growing number of people who are overweight or obese.
This double burden can also affect mothers and their children within the same household. In Ethiopia, for example, studies have found that at least 8% of mother-child pairs are affected: children may suffer from stunting, wasting or underweight, while their mothers are overweight or obese (Belay et al., 2024; Yigezu et al., 2024). At the same time, population growth in these regions is expected to continue:
By 2100, 8 out of 10 people will live in Africa or Asia, increasingly concentrated in major urban centres. In Africa alone, the urban population is expected to double from 700 million to 1.4 billion by 2050 (OECD, 2025).
At the same time, climate change is expected to have a major impact on these regions. Depending on the severity of climate shocks, food availability in sub-Saharan Africa is projected to decline by 15–30% (Omokpariola et al., 2025).
Against this backdrop of population growth, the increasing double burden of malnutrition and likely climate-related losses in food production, the production and consumption of alternative proteins could offer a way to address all three challenges simultaneously. Of their many potential benefits, the following section focuses particularly on resource efficiency and climate-related advantages.
RESOURCE EFFICIENCY
A practical example tailored to the realities of sub-Saharan Africa is the use of by-products from sesame production for human consumption. Sudan[3] is both a major producer and consumer of sesame on the African continent, while also ranking among the countries most severely affected by hunger according to Welthungerhilfe’s Global Hunger Index. Currently, only a limited share of sesame oil is extracted domestically, with processing largely taking place in major importing countries, particularly China. The resulting press cake, which accounts for approximately 50% of the original weight, is generally used as animal feed or discarded (Zhou et al., 2026).
Recent research by Segowski (2026), however, shows that this press cake could also be used locally for human consumption. The study found that “ground sesame press cake has a valuable nutritional profile, with a high protein content of 39.3% and a high fibre content of 32%”. Through hot extrusion, a widely used process also employed in the production of breakfast cereals, sesame press cake and water can be transformed into a protein-rich minced meat substitute that can be stored without refrigeration. While its flavour may still require further optimisation, researchers already report “acceptable sensory properties”. Although this concept may still seem far removed from current realities in Africa, successful start-ups[4][5] in countries such as Nigeria and South Africa are already incorporating alternative proteins into African cuisine, taking on a pioneering role in this field.
More broadly, the ability to use a variety of raw material streams is a major advantage of alternative protein production. This also applies to biomass fermentation, where by-products from agricultural production can be utilised productively, for example to grow mycelium for protein production. One of many examples is the German start-up Kynda[6], which offers specially developed bioreactors that can transform food industry by-products into nutritious meat alternatives in just two days.[7]
CLIMATE CHANGE: ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION IN THE FOOD SECTOR
As outlined above, the production and consumption of animal protein place considerable pressure on the planet’s natural resources. By comparison, alternative proteins that can be used directly as substitutes for meat and dairy offer significant advantages in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, land use and water consumption (see Table 1). For more advanced technologies such as precision fermentation, the potential reductions are even greater: greenhouse gas emissions can be reduced by 97%, land use by 99% and water use by 99.7% (Ali et al., 2026).
Protein source
GHG emissions (kg CO₂)
Land use (m²/year)
Water use (litres)
Beef
300-500
150-250
15.000-20.000
Pork
50-100
10-15
5000-7000
Chicken
30-50
5-10
3000-5000
Soy / tofu
10-20
2-4
1000-2000
Pea protein
8-15
1-3
500-1500
Table 1: Resource use by protein source for the production of 1 kg of protein (Almutairi, 2026).
CONCLUSION
Alternative proteins have become established in countries of the Global North, although they still represent a relatively small market segment. Nevertheless, the sector is growing in many countries, particularly in Europe[8]. The benefits are clear: increased consumption can benefit both planetary and human health, diversification can reduce dependence on specific raw materials, and animal welfare concerns can be addressed. While alternative proteins are not yet mainstream in Europe and North America, they could offer a wide range of benefits in the Global South, from reducing malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies to lowering overall resource use. A report by Manufacturing Africa (2025), for example, projects that the alternative protein market in Southern Africa could reach US$1–2 billion by 2035, with plant-based meat (PBM) expected to play a leading role.
One thing is clear: in its current form, the food system in the "Global South" is unlikely to meet the demands it will face in the future.
Alternative proteins should by no means be seen as competition to established food systems. Rather, they can help distribute future pressures across a broader and more diverse set of solutions, thereby strengthening the resilience of food systems.
However, technological and financial barriers to scaling remain, alongside challenges related to cultural acceptance. These could be addressed, for example, by using PBM as standalone ingredients in traditional dishes rather than simply as substitutes for conventional meat. At the same time, technological leapfrogging has already helped parts of Africa make significant advances beyond traditional banking systems and electricity infrastructure (Fetter, 2022). A similar development could help reshape, at least to some extent, the nearly 100-year-old Bennett’s Law. Given the scale and diversity of the challenges ahead, the potential is considerable, although significant gaps in research and, above all, financing still need to be addressed.
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Diversifying our protein supply to include plant-based foods and cultivated meat can be a game-changer for climate mitigation and climate adaptation, especially in the countries of the Global South. However, a great deal of research is still required to capitalise on this potential. And political support, as Ivo Rzegotta, Good Food Institute, demonstrates.
From January 9 to 11, 2025, heads of state and government of the African Union met in Kampala, Uganda. With a clear vision and concrete measures, the Kampala Agenda aims to make the continent's agricultural and food systems climate-resilient, fair and future-proof by 2035.
The Federal Ministry ofor Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) presented a revised version of the 10-Point Plan for a sustainable cocoa sector. The plan takes into account new supply chain legislations and current developments. A particular focus is paid to a living incomes, responsible purchasing practices and ecological and climate-friendly cocoa cultivation.
At the Nutrition for Growth 2025 Summit in Paris, Team Europe, comprising the European Commission and Member States, put nutrition at the centre of international politics as a driver for resilience, equality and human rights. There is a consensus on the results of the summit: to turn commitments into concrete progress through strong partnerships and innovative approaches.
The global fight against malnutrition needs more than just words - as demonstrated by the Nutrition for Growth summit in Paris. With comprehensive commitments and clear receivables, a signal has been sent: Healthy nutrition must become a global priority. But what do participants from countries such as Yemen and Timor Leste think?
With a simple but effective idea to combat malnutrition: in Nairobi, Fabio Rappenecker and his start-up TenX Nutrition produce mandazi, which become a real power biscuit thanks to added micronutrients. The aim is to strengthen food security through local, affordable and healthy food.
Amid rising global hunger, urbanization, and shrinking international funding, informal food systems are crucial for food access and livelihoods in low-income African urban areas. The TMG Think Tank’s paper, “Working with Informality for Food Systems Transformation and Resilient Communities,” highlights the importance of recognizing and working with informality to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 2.
Two new podcast formats from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) bring stories from on-the-ground project work to life: "Over to you!" from Malawi and "Voices of Change – Beneficiary Story Book" from Zambia. At the heart of these podcasts are the people behind the changes toward sustainable food security.
Food systems vary widely between communities. While global agendas offer general guidance, effective change requires context-specific interventions at the local level. Placing the needs of local communities at the center of these efforts is essential. The visioning process can help achieve this, says Fyness Lydia Ching’oma from GIZ Malawi.
A Contribution by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
Against the backdrop of the current conflict in Iran and the associated closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic significance of maritime infrastructure has acquired renewed urgency. A 2024 study by the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) examines this relevance and discusses appropriate protective measures for different forms of critical infrastructure within the maritime space.
A focus on fragile contexts highlights development policy’s unique contribution to security policy and shows how the special initiative “Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems“ itself needs to develop further. An article by Jes Weigelt, Head of Programmes at the TMG Think Tank for Sustainability.
AnInterview with Rashid Sumaila and Andreas Schaumayer
Against the backdrop of the eleventh Our Ocean Conference in Mombasa, Kenia, leading fisheries economist Rashid Sumaila and Andreas Schaumayer, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), reflect on the state of global fisheries in 2026: from the hidden economic power of small-scale fishing communities to the data gaps that leave millions of fishers uncounted.
Risk Reduction is his job. As Head of Disaster Risk Management at the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Ahmed Amdihun works at the intersection of climate resilience, early warning systems and humanitarian preparedness across the Greater Horn of Africa. In this interview, he explains what is needed to strengthen resilience in one of the world's most fragile regions.
An Interview with Shamika Mone (INOFO) and Elizabeth Nsimadala (EAFF)
At the UN Food Systems Summit, farmers organizations have been represented on the international stage for the first time ever. Two representatives talk about bridging personal aspirations with the representation of regional needs and international negotiations.
The potential the African food sector holds is still far too strongly associated with the continent’s natural resources, Ben Leyka maintains. He seeks to change this with the African Agri Council.
After a two-year break due to Corona, the doors of the International Green Week (IGW) in Berlin are opening again. From 20th to 29th January, visitors from all over the world can discover, marvel and taste the produce. But the event is not only feasting and fun. The BMZ stand asks questions about where food comes from & where it goes – and in the process becomes a crash test for many habits.
The transformation of food systems is regarded as the new magic code, but effective strategies are lacking. A new group of experts discussed the prerequisites for efficiently managing this process. The experts representing politics, youth, civil society, farmers' organizations, private sector, and academia unanimously concluded: transformation is possible, but it needs a strong drive from within.
Russia's war against Ukraine and its impact on food, energy and fertiliser prices is worrying farmers all over the world. Young farmers, farmer organisations and politicians from Kenya, Chad and Ukraine tell their stories and what keeps them in agriculture.
During the trade Grüne Woche, school classes visited the BMZ (German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development), Brot für die Welt and Misereor. Each class spends one hour at their stand to learn about the global challenges posed by food systems. A review by Jan Rübel.
An Artikel by the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA)
A study published by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) examines the differences between globally traded agricultural commodities and domestic niche products in terms of economic, environmental and social impact on the region of origin. The results provide new evidence to make supply chains more sustainable.
The Import Promotion Desk (IPD) accompanied organic producers from developing and emerging countries to Biofach. In an interview, Dr Julia Bellinghausen, head of the IPD, explains the importance of organic certification in export promotion.
Taking a look at the data (as of February 11th 2022) what the current price hike means for world hunger and what can be done to prevent from another food crisis.
Until Easter 2022, GIZ publishes a new episode every fortnight introducing people who are committed to fair and sustainable cocoa in Côte d'Ivoire and Germany.
Stephanie Heiland, Project Manager at Sector Project Agriculture and part of this year’s Observer Delegation of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) at COP27, shares her insights on the role of agriculture and food systems at the climate conference. Among other things, she reports from GIZ’s COP27 side event ‘Climate resilient agriculture and food systems in times of multiple crises and fragility’.
Experts from Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Ethiopia, India, Kenya and Malawi came together to discuss inclusive governance in a workshop entitled "Inclusive Governance of Food Systems Transformation". Daniel Montas, TMG Research, on the findings.
A Contribution by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
At the network meeting "Partners for change - Transformation to a food secure, resilient and sustainable future", almost 250 participants from over 20 countries came together to exchange experiences and ideas on the transformation of agricultural and food systems. The final product, joint recommendations to transform agricultural and food systems, can now be read online.
Halfway through the 2030 Agenda, the BMZ invited participants to a network meeting entitled "Partners for change - Transformation to a food secure, resilient and sustainable future". Experts from around the world developed recommendations in a consultation process and then consolidated them in Berlin. A site visit.
The complex interrelationships of the sustainable transformation of agricultural and food systems are not always easy to understand - the Agri-Food Map, an interactive online app, makes the comprehensive relations accessible by providing a wide range of comprehensibly prepared information.
A Contribution by Harry Hoffmann (TMG) & Nathalie Demel (WHH)
At the halfway mark of the 2030 Agenda and two years after the UN Food System Summit 2021, a stocktaking moment was held in Rome to analyze the progress of countries on the commitments to action in transforming food systems. Dr Harry Hoffmann, TMG Think Tank, and Nathalie Demel, Welthungerhilfe, were on site and take stock as well.
The production of animal-source foods is becoming increasingly difficult due to the impact of climate change on the livestock sector in Africa. Though, Livestock make a crucial contribution to food security in Africa. Three papers by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), GIZ, ILRI and World Bank analyze, how Africas future livestock sector can look like.
How can rural economies become viable and modern? William Madudike, youth representative of the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU) and a potato farmer himself, examines this question. He argues that the whole rural economy and actors from producers to consumers need to be considered. An interview on the initiative role of youth.
In the midst of global climate discussions, a resounding call emerges: Women's land rights must be the cornerstone of our climate actions. They're not just pieces of the puzzle; they form the foundation for true climate resilience. TMG Think Tank for Sustainability reports from the first African Climate Summit.
Partnerships are needed to face the multiple shocks for food systems. This is what Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi, president of the Agriculture Council Tanzania (ACT) and CEO of the Tanzanian Horticulture Association (TAHA) states.
It takes the joint efforts of diverse actors to achieve a transformative impact on the global food system. Barbara Rehbinder, Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN), discusses four people-centred principles to get closer to this goal.
Shu Wen Ng is a health economist. She knows what is best suited to go on a plate. But how can this be achieved on a mass scale in countries with lower incomes? "The solutions to gett there already exist," she says, "but what is often missing is courageous leadership to implement them."
Global food systems are confronted with multiple stresses. It is more urgent than ever to make them more resilient, healthier and more sustainable. A key tool in such a transformation is reforming agricultural policies and repurposing agricultural support, as discussed in an online seminar co-organised by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
This year's network meeting of the Partners for Change (P4C), a network of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), took place in Nairobi, Kenya, on 26 and 27 June 2024. Kah Walla, moderator of the event and CEO of Strategies!, gives an insight into the key findings and learnings.
The bioeconomy movement is fundamentally changing agriculture and food production: through innovative ideas, environmentally friendly approaches and the realization that we need to work together globally to ensure that change truly benefits everyone. At this years’ German Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) focused on this topic.
In 2025, GIZ and the Import Promotion Desk (IPD) celebrate ten years of successful cooperation. With their joint stand at BIOFACH trade fair in Nuremberg, they were able to introduce over 300 organic companies of partner countries to the European market. And the journey continues – despite challenges on the global market.
In March, delegations from nine partner countries met in Berlin at the Partner Conference Scaling Access to Finance for Agripreneurs. Alongside AUDA-NEPAD, IFAD, BMZ, GIZ, and others, around 100 participants worked on practical solutions to support financial inclusion in agricultural transformation and hand over their conclusions to the AU's Kampala CAADP process.
The international soil conference ‘Partners for Change - SOILutions for a Food Secure, Resilient, and Sustainable Future’ brought together almost 150 different stakeholders in Berlin from 20 to 22 May. Its aim: to take stock of existing conservation programmes and pave the way for the future.
A Conversation with Shakuntala Thilsted & Andreas Schaumayer
On the sidelines of the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC 2025), Andreas Schaumayer, Head of Division at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and Shakuntala Thilsted, Senior Nutrition Expert at CGIAR, discussed the crucial role of aquatic foods in nutrition, livelihoods, and climate resilience.
In May, this year's "Partners for Change – SOILutions for a Food Secure, Resilient, and Sustainable Future" conference took place. Kah Walla, Moderator of the Conference and Director of Strategies!, summarises the discussions and declares that healthy soils are not just the foundation of agriculture, but the cornerstone of a resilient, equitable, and climate-smart future.
As part of the “Let Me Tell You” series, children across Zambia are discovering fun stories that teach the importance of good food and healthy habits such as fish. Let’s dive into one of these tales together…
A Contribution by Global Donor Platform for Rural Development
The Global Donor Platform for Rural Development has recently published a new White Paper titled “Financing Agrifood Systems for People, Planet and Prosperity.” It outlines a practical agenda to unlock the capital, partnerships, and innovation required to drive change at scale.
Climate adaptation, youth empowerment, and food systems intersect with challenging social and political conditions. Lucky Andrianirina illustrates how young people in Madagascar navigate structural barriers, translate global agendas into local action, and understand agriculture as a space of agency and hope.
At this year’s Partners for Change (P4C) Network Meeting in Berlin in June, participants from more than 40 countries came together to consolidate the outcomes of 18 months of collaboration across the network and develop a shared advocacy agenda for the transformation of agri-food systems. Discussions focused on messages around inclusion, governance, financing, evidence, and country-led implementation – and on how these can translate into concrete policy impact.
Nutrition rarely fails for lack of knowledge, but for lack of structure. In conversation with Dr. Sachin Gupte from PATH, attention turns to the often unseen foundations of food systems – where climate pressures, political frameworks, and economic realities shape what can endure, and what cannot.
Food systems shape social realities. Whether legal claims can be enforced also depends on access to legal institutions. Camara Castro from the Amka Africa Justice Initiative shows how legal work in Kenya helps reduce the gap between law and lived reality and contributes to making agri-food systems more just.
A Conversation with Dr. Huyam Salih, Monica Yator and Jacob Lekaitogo
Rangelands cover up to 54% of the global land surface – and pastoralism is one of the eldest forms of land use – yet it is rarely discussed . Now the UN has declared 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists. What prompted the organization to do that and what do pastoralists really need? Three experts share their insights.
An Interview with Carolina Jaramillo Ferrer and Felix Strauss
How can sustainable solutions grow without losing sight of local realities? Carolina Jaramillo Ferrer (Uniban) and Felix Strauss (ALDI SOUTH Group) discuss what it takes to bring successful solutions to scale.
A contribution by Dr. May Hokan and Dr. Arnulf Köhncke (WWF)
Due to the coronavirus crisis, the connection between human and animal health has gained new attention. Politicians and scientists are joining forces to propagate the solution: One Health. But what is behind the concept? And can it also guarantee food security for all people worldwide?
The Federal Government is fine-tuning a law that would require companies to ensure human rights – a supply chain law. What are the consequences for the agricultural sector? Dr Bettina Rudloff from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) discusses linking policy fields with added value.
The soybean is a natural crop that can be used to make a lot of food. So, Tata Bi started a small processing business first on her own, then with a few other women, which provides the women with an additional source of income year-round besides selling the soybeans.
Besides the well known impacts of Covid19 lockdowns for the adult population, the associated school closures led to 90 percent of the world’s children with no access to schools. However, school meals are in often the only daily meal for children. Without access to this safety net, issues like hunger, poverty and malnutrition are exacerbated for hundreds of millions of children.
‘Fair’ and ‘sustainable’ are key words in Germany’s EU Council Presidency. At the same time, Germany pursues ‘modernization’ of the WTO and ‘rapid progress’ on free trade agreements. Are these goals really compatible? Can we be concerned about fairness and sustainability while continuing with ‘business as usual’?
A conversation with aquatic researcher Shakuntala Thilsted on the long-neglected nutrition benefits of aquatic diets and the empowering qualities of a sustainable aqua-food systems transformation.
A Contribution by Adrian Muller, Catherine Pfeifer and Jürn Sanders (FiBL)
Taking Biodiversity Focus Areas under production or abandoning lower yielding, more extensive production systems is the wrong approach to mastering the looming global food crisis, say the authors of the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL).
Protectionist policies like tariffs supposedly protect domestic producers if they cannot compete with cheaper imported products. Some African countries have therefore opted to impose such import restrictions for a number of products. For the case of chicken imports in Ghana, this study analyses whether restrictions would lead to overall positive or negative welfare effects among households.
Stunting as a sign of chronic undernutrition, alongside overweight and obesity: Astrid Prange de Oliveira explains why poorer countries in particular are facing the double burden of malnutrition and why this is a development policy challenge.
Countries across Africa coordinate their efforts in the fight against corona by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) of the African Union in Addis Abeba. Until now, the curve of new infections has been successfully flattened – why? Dr. Ahmed Ouma, Deputy Director, explains the work of CDC in an interview with Tilman Wörtz.
This is a benchmark for everybody: More rights for women are a very influencing solution in the struggle against extreme poverty and hunger worldwide, says Stephan Exo-Kreischer, Director of ONE Germany. The organisation specialises in political campaigning as a lever for sustainable change.
In August, Germany’s development ministry set up a division concentrating on One Health topics. Parliamentary State Secretary Maria Flachsbarth on knowledge gaps at the human-animal-environmental interface, the link between One Health and food security, and lessons learnt from previous pandemics.
What happens when young people leave the rural areas? How can the region achieve what is referred to as the demographic bonus – and how can it reap the benefits of the demographic dividend? A look at demography shows the following: What is most important is promoting women’s rights and education.
After four years of Donald Trump in the White House, it is time to take stock: What policies did the Republican government pursue in African regions? And what will change in favor of Joe Biden after the election decision? Here is an evaluation.
While Africa is the least affected region by Covid-19 so far, the number of confirmed cases and deaths on the continent is quickly rising. Despite the challenges many African countries continue to face, the African response to the coronavirus pandemic displays innovation and ingenuity.
Corona makes it even more difficult to achieve a world without hunger by 2030. So that this perspective does not get out of sight, Germany must play a stronger role internationally - a summary of the Strategic Advisory Group of SEWOH.
A contribution by Dr. Kathleen Mar and Dr. Nicole de Paula
Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, health is receiving unprecedented public and political attention. Yet the fact that climate change is also affecting the environmental and social determinants of health in a profound and far-reaching way deserves further recognition.
A menstrual health pilot in Rural Malawi empowers rural women in Agribusiness through hygiene products and helps to improve working conditions in rural areas.
Small holders around the world are often forced to sell their harvests below market value due to a lack of market and pricing information. A new app by the UN World Food Programme (WFP) is going to change this.
The project “Scaling digital agriculture innovations through start-ups” (SAIS) supports Africans going into business in the agricultural and food sector in scaling their digital innovations and thus reaching out to a larger number of users.
From a circular food system in Rwanda to functioning cooled transports in Kenya: The lab of tomorrow addresses development challenges such as preventing food loss and waste
Innovate2030 is looking for creative people from around the world to develop smart and innovative solutions against climate change in cities. Initiated by the Make IT-Alliance.
In March 2022, the virtual conference ICTforAg summons leading actors in the agrartechnology and food sector from low- and middle-income countries to exchange ideas advancing resilience, nutrition and agriculture-led growth.
At the ICTforAg conference in March 2022, the digital agriculture community exchanged on the challenges and opportunities associated with the next green revolution.
The finals of the Innovation Challenge “Advisory for Agroecology” took place on 17 May - 2022 featuring six innovations in advisory that provided the basis for a discussion on how to bridge the gap between science and practice.
Data security, financing, the automation of loans and the use of alternative data - the digitalisation of financial services in the agricultural sector has many facets, which an international conference with representatives of the agricultural finance sector in Zambia addressed. But how does the digitalisation of financial services contribute to rural development and the inclusion of women?
A new study on the digitalisation of agriculture puts farmers back at the centre of their own sector, identifies market gaps and gives recommendations on how to support relevant actors.
Small farmers often have a hard time getting financing. An app in Nigeria wants to change that: Founder Blessing Mene about what his app offers - and about the opportunities and limitations of agricultural financing.
Journalists Angeline Ochieng and Victor Raballa visited Ms Bilha Munyole, a Kenyan farmer in Kimilili, Bungoma County, on her maize plantation. About the important role of mechanisation in climate-smart agriculture and in building resilience to the impacts of climate change.
A Campaign of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
In light of World Food Day, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development launched a campaign: Three women from Kenya, Benin and Ecuador share how their ideas and local solutions are fighting hunger and poverty.
A Contribution by Initiative für nachhaltige Agrarlieferketten (INA)
The demand for sustainable products and supply chains is constantly increasing. DIASCA is an alliance that works on interoperability of digital solutions in agricultural supply chains through the development of open standards for forest monitoring, farm income and traceability.
Recycling organic waste into soil amendments and animal feed through a transdisciplinary approach – this is what the RUNRES project, launched in four sub-Saharan African countries four years ago, seeks to achieve. Three of the project's scientists report.
VR glasses are hardly a conventional tool in agriculture: for the past three years, they have been used in rural areas of Burkina Faso and Cameroon as a training tool for sustainable cotton cultivation.
As a passionate social scientist and entrepreneur from Malawi, Ngabaghila Chatata knows that she can overcome any challenge. Her story stands out in a country faced with high unemployment, particularly in its rural areas. As the managing director of Thanthwe Farms, she has set out to inspire the next generation of young agripreneurs – proving that successful business starts with the right mindset, not only capital.
Maura Oerding has a mission: With the specialty coffee Angelique's Finest, she not only wants to enter new markets but also revolutionize the coffee industry. Her recipe for success? Empowering women from Rwanda and Uganda from cultivation to marketing. Oerding’s goal: quality, fairness, and self-determination in every bean.
The results of twelve years of cooperation: a compendium by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) takes stock of the work of green innovation centres in 16 countries. It brings together experiences, documents successes and challenges, and collects key findings for practical application and policy-making.
In Eastern El Salvador, campesinos are cultivating a self-image to encourage rural youth to remain in rural areas. With help from Caritas, they have adjusted the cultivation methods to their soils and traditions - Marvin Antonio Garcia Otero,the deputy director of Caritas of the Diocese of San Miguel believes this is the best way to prevent rural exodus and criminality.
Africa's cotton production plays a key role in the fight against poverty. The "Cotton Made in Africa" initiative promotes sustainable cultivation - one element of which is the use of organic pesticides. Entomologist Ben Sekamatte and cotton company manager Boaz Ogola talked with Jan Rübel about soil and yields.
Small farmers in developing countries must modernise their farming methods, but poorly understood reforms could exacerbate poverty instead of alleviating it.
For years, place-based approaches to development have been considered important features in development cooperation, at the BMZ and in FAO. Both organisations are aiming at advancing these approaches: an interview with Adriano Campolina from the FAO on territorial and landscape perspectives.
Companies in Africa that need financing between $20,000 and $200,000 find relatively few investors, as this sector is too large for microcredit and too small for institutional investors. This creates a "gap in the middle" where companies have limited options. A project of the World Resource Institute provides a remedy with the Landaccelerator 2020.
Environmental change is having a particularly strong impact on the African continent. Its landscapes see both negative and positive processes. What is science's view of this? A conversation with Cyrus Samimi about mobility for livelihoods, urban gardening and dealing with nature.
With the help of sustainable farming methods, soils can be preserved and made fertile again. The investment required is also worthwhile from a financial perspective.
Financial innovations can prevent a crisis turning into a catastrophe. The livelihoods of people in affected areas may well depend on intervention before a crisis – and on risk funds.
What are the consequences of using synthetic pesticides in agriculture? Where do they help, where do they harm? Lena Luig, expert for the development policy organization INKOTA, and science journalist Ludger Weß discuss this controversial topic of international scope.
Stig Tanzmann is a farmer and adviser on agricultural issues at ‘Bread for the World’. Jan Rübel interviewed him about his reservations about AGRA's strategy.
The Cashew Council is the first international organisation for a raw material stemming from Africa. The industry promises to make progress in processing and refining cashew nuts - and answers to climate change
A contribution by Michael Windfuhr (German Institute for Human Rights)
Land rights are no longer governed by the law of the strongest. That is what the international community has agreed to. Governments and private companies have a duty to respect human rights and avoid corruption.
A contribution by Roselyn Korleh and M. Sahr Nouwah (WHH)
The Liberian town of Kinjor is a picture-book example for what happens, if land rights aren’t protected, and it illustrates how to move forward from there. The keyword: Multi-Actor Partnership
It began with clicks at a trade fair and ends with concrete reforestation: a campaign at the Green Week in Berlin is now enriching the forests of the Yen Bai Province in Vietnam. A chronicle of an education about climatic relevance to concrete action - and about the short distances on our planet.
In the tropics rainforests are still being felled for the production of palm oil, meat and furniture. It is high time to act. Proposals are on the table.
In this article, the author describes what we know about interlinkages, what role agriculture has to play in the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity, and what the necessary changes in agricultural systems might look like, both on small and large-scale farms.
"One World no Hunger" (SEWOH) becomes one of the five core themes of the BMZ. Dirk Schattschneider, SEWOH Commissioner about previous approaches, future areas of action, and the political will to end hunger.
Every one degree Celsius rise in temperature increases the risk of conflict by two to ten percent. The climate crisis is a humanitarian crisis, as the photos by Christoph Püschner and Frank Schultze illustrate.
Regarding deforestation free supply chains, there are challenges and opportunities for smallholder farmers as well as for international forest governance. Also, responsibilities for companies and potential incentives for manufacturers to use materials from fair trade and sustainable sources need to be explored. But what does “deforestation-free” actually mean?
The oceans are important for our food supply, but they are overfished. To halt this trend the global community is now taking action against illegal fishing. Journalist Jan Rübel spoke with Francesco Marí, a specialist for world food, agricultural trade and maritime policy at "Brot für die Welt," and others.
Interview with Caroline Milow and Ramon Brentführer
Groundwater resources remain dormant in the soil of African regions. Where does it make sense to use them – and where does overexploitation of nature begin? Caroline Milow (GIZ) and Ramon Brentführer (BGR) talk about potentials in the future and lessons from the past.
Roughly 800 million people suffer from hunger worldwide. Change is needed - for people and for the environment. Brot für die Welt reports on the starting points offered by everyone's ecological footprint and handprint.
The textile industry contributes significantly to environmental pollution as it produces over 100 billion garments every year, resulting in huge CO2 emissions and water consumption. Fashion designer Paul Kadjo uses banana silk as an environmentally friendly alternative to make textile production more environmentally conscious and socially just.
The Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation is committed to the preservation of forests in Kenya: The establishment of so-called buffer zones counteracts deforestation by planting trees and tea. In addition to the production of environmentally friendly tea, the project benefits the resources of the forests and the livelihoods of the communities living near the forests, says project manager Wallace Gichunge.
Climate change, shrinking grazing lands and a lack of investment are putting increasing pressure on pastoralist communities in Kenya. Jacinta Sajila Pamita, herself Maasai and working for IMPACT Kenya, calls for greater participation of Indigenous communities, more investment in locally led solutions and greater recognition of traditional knowledge. As she says, sustainable development begins when the people on the ground have a say in shaping it.
Happy youngsters in rural areas, green development and the connection to the digital age – professor Joachim von Braun believes in this future sceneraio for Africa. For three decades the agricultural scienties has been researching how politics can create prosperty on the continent.
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2020 shows that the world is not on track to meet the international goal of “zero hunger by 2030”. If we continue at our current speed, around 37 countries will not even have reached a low hunger level by 2030.
Startups are booming in African agriculture. What are the current trend and challenges – and can other regions benefit from innovative approaches? A Video-Interview with Claudia Makadristo, Regional Manager of Seedstars
At the UNCCD COP15, the Töpfer Müller Gaßner Think Tank (TMG) hosted four side events. The agenda of the kick-off event included discussions for the Human Rights and Land Navigator.
Agriculture is coming under pressure worldwide: bacteria, viruses and insects are causing problems for crops. In Palestine, Dr. Rana Samara from the Palestinian Academy of Science and Technology is researching solutions to the problem. And she finds them in nature itself.
Insurance companies could provide protection during droughts in Africa. How exactly this could be done is what the industry is currently trying to figure out. First experiences are available. An interview with the Managing Director of the Munich Re Foundation, Thomas Loster
Interview with Bernadette Arakwiye und Salima Mahamoudou (World Resources Institute)
Deforestation is leading to a shortage of ressources. What are the options for counteracting? A conversation with Bernadette Arakwiye and Salima Mahamoudou about renaturation and the possibilities of artificial intelligence.
Adaptation to climate change can be achieved by making agriculture more environmentally sustainable – if the rich countries also reduce their emissions
The WWF has published a sensational study on food waste. The focus: farm-stage food waste. Peter McFeely, Global head of communications and strategic planning at WWF, explains what needs to be done.
At the climate conference in Glasgow, activists from various groups protested again – Leonie Bremer from ‘Fridays for Future’ was there too. How can climate protection and development cooperation work hand in hand?
The climate crisis fuels world hunger. What needs to change in the global fight against hunger, and which role plays humanitarian aid in international development cooperation?
How investing in healthy soils provides incentives for more sustainable agriculture even as it demonstrates the need for far reaching changes in the agrisector.
Indian farmers restore precious soil material combining traditional with innovative approaches. A case example how governance, agriculture and development cooperation can work together to combat climate change.
This year's United Nations World Drug Report highlights for the first time the nexus between illicit drugs and the environment. In view of climate change, it is time to feed the debate with facts and make drug policy greener
Agroecological methods target diversity and resilience and can thus promote the protection of forests, water and soil. Julia Tomalka and Christoph Gornott, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), on the potential of agroecology to safeguard against climate change and build resilient agri-food system.
Martin Frick has been director of the WFP office in Berlin for a year – since then one hunger crisis has followed another. What are the diplomat's answers? A conversation about opportunities in agriculture, the interplay of multiple crises, the importance of resilience and tighter budgets.
Nations adopted four goals and 23 targets for 2030 to foster biodiversity conservation and counter acceleration in the global rate of species extinction at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15).
Future generations need more sustainable and stable agri-food systems. But how can this comprehensive transformation succeed and what responsibility does the private sector bear? These questions were the focus of the G7 Sustainable Supply Chains Initiative (G7 SSCI) side event as part of the ‘Champion Youth Action’ day at the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27).
The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development sees sustainable agri-food systems as an opportunity to protect the climate, preserve biodiversity and ensure food security in the future. Dirk Meyer, Head of Directorate-General 1 at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, looks ahead to the upcoming COP27.
The world is facing major challenges that need to be solved. We need to feed an ever-growing population, bring climate change under control and stop the loss of biodiversity. Martina Fleckenstein, Director of Global Policy at WWF, on what is expected from the climate conference in terms of biodiversity and biodiversity conservation.
Women can play a vital role in the change process both when it comes to climate protection and adapting to climate change. But the reality is often still not quite like this: women and girls are particularly badly affected by the climate crisis. Is the topic of gender getting enough attention at the upcoming climate conference? Questions for Bettina Jahn from UN Women Germany.
At LCOY Germany, the local youth climate conference, views on climate protection from all political spectrums are discussed. The Fairactivists, a programme of Fairtrade Germany, participated with a panel discussion on the link between social justice and climate justice.
The CompensACTION Initiative for food security and a healthy planet, launched by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in 2022, is gaining momentum. It aims to financially compensate smallholder farmers for their contribution to preserving ecosystems. Initial successes have been achieved in Ethiopia, Lesotho and Brazil.
Given the urgency of transforming agricultural and food systems, GIZ India's Food Systems and Agroecology Working Group is exploring the potential of agroecology in collaboration with Think20 partners. A policy brief has now been published.
In the West Bank, political tensions and increasingly poor weather conditions are making farming more difficult. What needs to be done? Questions for Abbas Milhem, Executive Director of the Palestinian Farmers Union (PFU).
With the annual topic "Earth’s well, all’s well!", Fairtrade Germany is focusing on the concept of agroecology at all levels - and is thus taking the next step towards achieving greater global sustainability. At the Green Week trade fair, Fairtrade Germany will show how this can be achieved taking the cocoa supply chain as an example.
In Mali, women farmers are facing multiple challenges at once. Climate change is degrading land and making natural resources increasingly scarce, while conflict is forcing communities to leave behind their livelihoods. At the same time, women continue to produce food, feed their families and contribute to peace and community development. An interview with Fatoumata Goundou Sissoko, President of the Network of Women for Environmental Rights (REFEDE Mali).
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