DLG Research and Innovation supports knowledge exchange and development
Shaping the future through research and innovation – this is our aim. As well as sharing our knowledge on innovative technologies and new approaches in agriculture and biodiversity. Be part of the projects and join us in our upcoming events. In October our unit organizes an event in Maastricht (NL) on collaborative CAP mechanisms and another on irrigation in Peine (DE) both in relation to agricultural biodiversity.
The KOMBI event “Collective models in agriculture for nature conservation: The Dutch model - a solution for Germany?”
CAP-based collaboration mechanisms can be applied to nature preservation in agricultural landscapes – as implemented in the Netherlands in 2016. Can this approach be implemented in Germany, too?
This question will be elaborated in Maastricht on October 10th as we bring together Dutch authorities, farmers, advisors and other stakeholders as well as their German counterparts. The German stakeholders are integrated to learn how the Dutch Model works and what opportunities and challenges rose up during its implementation. At a follow-up workshop on October 11th in Aachen, organized by WWF Germany, the German stakeholders will explore and draft pathways, creating the ground for a successful transfer to Germany.
The joint project “KOMBI - collective models for the conservation of biodiversity”, funded in the Federal Biological Diversity Programme by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, aims to co-design, co-develop, and facilitate the implementation of CAP mechanisms allowing collaborative actions in agriculture to support the conservation and protection of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape. Thus, the most pressing questions at this project phase are:
- Can collaborative CAP-based mechanisms preserve biodiversity of agricultural landscapes?
- To what extent can such an approach reduce the bureaucratic burden?
KOMBI assures involvement of multiple stakeholder groups representing local authorities, farmers and conservationists of multiple regions in Germany.

For more information on the project KOMBI or the event, please visit https://kombi-agrar.de/ or contact Vanessa Immel: V.Immel@DLG.org.
Irrigation and agro-ecology – A Scoping workshop on digital tools
Can digitalization contribute to a more ecological and sustainable agriculture? This is the central question to be explored at the workshop on October 10th organized by the DLG as part of the Digitalisation for Agroecology (D4AgEcol) project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme.
Digitalization can play a key role in enabling sustainable agricultural and food systems across Europe. Utilizing the power of nature will support achieving these goals. The D4AgEcol combines agro-ecological principles with benefits digital tools can provide. One of the project’s showcases highlights the water cycle.
The workshop will highlight the solar-powered irrigation technology (Irri360°-AgriSystem) developed by the GWE Group. Farmers are increasingly facing challenges such as drought, evaporation, and declining availability of groundwater. Drip irrigation presents a smart and efficient solution to these problems by optimizing water usage while applying agro-ecological practices.
Major aim of the workshop will be to explore whether and how smart irrigation systems can support agroecological farming. Participants will get involved as they may know best key drivers, challenges, and obstacles being relevant in practice.
The workshop, conducted in German, will take place on October 10th in Peine, Germany. For further information and registration please contact Stephanie Timm (s.timm@dlg.org).