German-Brazilian exchange: Mechanization in smallholder agriculture

From May 5-9, 2025, a Brazilian delegation of representatives from politics, science and civil society traveled to Germany to deepen the exchange on innovations and sustainable agricultural practices in Germany. The trip took place as part of the German-Brazilian Agricultural Policy Dialogue (APD), which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and implemented by IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH.

The focus was on the mechanization of smallholder agriculture – which is crucial for increasing the productivity and efficiency of small-scale farms, facilitating work processes and strengthening the competitiveness of family farms. The participants visited political institutions, academic institutions, farms and companies active in sustainable production and digitalization.

Highlights:

• In Berlin and Brandenburg, the delegation spoke with the BMEL and the German Farmers' Association (DBV) about the challenges and opportunities of mechanization in agriculture as well as innovative approaches to sustainable production. They also got to know Maschinenring Deutschland, an organization that supports farms in the shared use of machinery and resources. The Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ), which specializes in the development of sustainable cultivation systems for vegetables and ornamental plants, presented innovative technologies and research approaches for sustainable agriculture. Visits to the Potsdam Institute of Inland Fisheries (IfB) in Potsdam-Sacrow, an organic supermarket in Berlin and Potager Farm, an urban vertical farming facility in Berlin that combines modern cultivation techniques with minimal resource consumption, rounded off the program.
• They then traveled to Saxony-Anhalt to the Rackith agricultural cooperative. The company focuses on innovative cultivation techniques, renewable energies and community projects in rural areas. The delegation also got to know Obsthof Zwicker in Jessen, a traditional family business focusing on sustainable fruit cultivation and direct marketing.
• The last stop on the trip was Leipzig in Saxony. At Leipzig University's Smart Farming Lab, the delegation learned about the latest research projects in the digitalization of agriculture, e.g., innovative solutions for smart farming and resource-conserving agriculture with virtual reality, drones and robotics. This was followed by a visit to Ölmühle Leipzig, which specializes in the sustainable production of cold-pressed, certified organic oils. The tour concluded with a presentation by Dieter Künstling, former Managing Director of IAK, on the development of agriculture in East Germany and the changes following reunification. Mr. Künstling provided impressive insights into the adaptability and innovative strength of East German agriculture.

During the week, the delegation gained valuable insights into modern agricultural technologies, sustainable production systems and cooperative approaches, which are of great interest for the mechanization of smallholder agriculture in Brazil. The exchange promotes international cooperation and strengthens the development of sustainable agricultural models on both sides.