In response to political and economic changes, a new concept of growth is emerging. The DLG Winter Conference 2025, held on 18 and 19 February at Halle Münsterland in Münster, Germany, explored this topic under the banner "Productivity reloaded - are yields in demand again? With the Green Deal stalled by global political realities, the agricultural sector has the opportunity to define a new path to sustainable growth, which is both, economically and ecologically sustainable.
The current diverse global crises not only mark a turning point but also cause tectonic political and cultural shifts worldwide. The agricultural sector in Germany, Europe, and internationally is challenged to respond to this development with well-founded concepts for sustainable growth. Hubertus Paetow, president of the DLG (German Agricultural Society), initiated the development of a new definition of sustainable productivity progress. Keynote speaker Prof. Andreas Rödder, head of the think tank Republik21 and professor of modern history at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, examined the ongoing replacement of the "green hegemony" in many Western societies by a rightward shift in discourse and politics – and provided food for thought on the implications of this development for the agricultural and food industries. He outlined a positive scenario of political and societal course correction in three key areas: "reducing emissions," "mobilizing resources," and "thinking globally" after the federal election on February 23. Applied to agriculture, this triad translates to: food security and nutritional quality, affordability, and environmental compatibility. A pig farmer, a dairy producer, and an agricultural consultant discussed these topics with the historian and expressed confidence that the current shifts in the political and cultural landscape will create diverse growth opportunities.
"The discourse on the significance of productivity growth for progress is changing."
This was emphasized by DLG President Hubertus Paetow in his address at the opening plenary session of the DLG Winter Conference 2025 on Wednesday, February 19, in Münster. Paetow justified this by pointing to the failure of the idealistic vision behind the Green Deal in the current global political environment, which had aimed for the EU to achieve a global leadership role in developing and exporting sustainable technologies. This failure coincides with Germany's currently weak economic development.
The pressure to act remains
Even though financial flexibility has decreased under the current economic and political conditions, the pressure to act remains. In light of accelerating climate change, ongoing biodiversity loss, and geopolitical crises, the weaknesses of the previous understanding of sustainable development in Germany and Europe have become apparent. “Neither maximum yield nor input restrictions alone are the solution,” explained the DLG President.
A broader concept of productivity is needed—one that, in addition to the traditional factors of land, labor, and capital, also considers the consumption of natural resources, animal welfare, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions: sustainable productivity progress. This approach is not just about maximizing yields per hectare, daily weight gains, or milk production, nor is it solely about minimizing pesticide use or nitrogen fertilizer. The equation must also include the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and negative impacts on animal welfare.
A major challenge – but achievable
Paetow expressed confidence that, despite the scale of the challenge, it is achievable with the full use of available innovations and technical expertise. The agricultural and food sectors must embrace effective and forward-looking innovations to advance sustainability in all three of its dimensions. Sustainable productivity progress is not only a prerequisite for the economic viability of individual farms but also essential for agriculture’s contribution to maintaining a high level of overall societal prosperity.
The new paradigm of sustainable productivity progress must therefore be supported by technological and procedural innovations. “The opportunities of digital progress for sustainable productivity growth exist, but they are far from being fully utilized,” said Paetow.
Prof. Andreas Rödder, head of the think tank Republik21 and professor of modern history at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, addressed the cultural, political, and discursive dimensions of this paradigm shift in his keynote speech at the DLG Winter Conference 2025. “We are currently witnessing tectonic shifts on a political and cultural level. The speech by the U.S. Vice President at the Munich Security Conference last week made it clear that cultural conflicts are not secondary battlefields but central struggles of our time,” emphasized Rödder. “With the end of green hegemony, the pendulum is swinging to the right in many Western societies. The big question is: Can the moderate right-of-center absorb the swing, or will it move further toward the far right?” he asked.
Deindustrialization and loss of prosperity vs. resource mobilization and global thinking
Looking ahead to the upcoming federal election on Sunday, Rödder outlined two potential scenarios for future political and cultural developments. “The worst-case scenario would be deindustrialization and a loss of prosperity in Germany, leading to ungovernability within the established political boundaries.” A more positive scenario would involve a shift toward reducing emissions, mobilizing resources, and thinking globally. Translated to agricultural production, this would mean a balance of food security, affordability, and environmental sustainability. The desire for change and a positive paradigm shift in politics presents real opportunities for agriculture. “Farmers should confidently stand by their views and the concept of sustainable productivity growth in public,” Rödder emphasized.
Andreas Lieke, deputy chairman of the DLG Committee for Business Consulting and Accounting at LBB Göttingen – Rural Business Establishment and Consulting GmbH, highlighted the agricultural sector’s long-standing openness to progress during the discussion with the keynote speaker. Farmers are often among the “early adopters” of digital innovations. He advises his clients “not to impose mental restrictions on themselves and to approach the future with an open mind.” Given the current shift in societal and political discourse, he considers this development “a welcome change.”
Greater willingness to pay requires greater prosperity
Gesa Langenberg, a member of the DLG Pig Committee and a farmer from Lower Saxony, emphasized her strong commitment to her family’s pig farming operation. As she transitions her barn to husbandry level 4, her primary concern is the revival of the economy: “We need economic stability in Germany. Higher animal welfare standards require stable incomes so that consumers can afford to buy welfare-friendly meat.”
Agriculture competes for funding in the federal budget, alongside investments in education and infrastructure. As a mother of three, Langenberg understands the need for public debate on how much money should be allocated to different public goods. She has observed a declining willingness among consumers to pay for premium pork from higher welfare systems. However, she attributes this in part to the lack of a clear and understandable labeling system for pig farming, similar to the well-established system for eggs.
For dairy farmer Lutz Decker from Lower Saxony, sustainable and economically viable production is the top priority. Unlike arable farmers, he cannot assess his farm’s profitability within a single year. “We first have to produce the feed, which means a longer feedback cycle in milk production. Unlike grain producers, dairy farmers don’t have the option of hedging on the stock market.”
When asked how he envisions his farm in 15 years, Decker responded pragmatically: “People will always eat.” He believes farmers must focus on their tasks with expertise and respond to consumer demand with entrepreneurial spirit. His approach is to manage his farm with flexibility and openness. “The Renewable Energy Act (EEG) was a comfortable safety net – now we have to listen to the market and do our job well,” said Decker, who also operates a biogas plant, expressing his confidence in the future.
