Uruguay presents land use plans on study tour to Germany focusing on soil carbon

Together with representatives from the Uruguayan Ministry of Agriculture (MGAP) and the Uruguayan National Agricultural Research Institute (INIA), the Uruguayan-German Dialogue on Agriculture undertook its second study tour from Sep 10-17, 2025. The expert dialogue is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture, and Regional Identity (BMLEH) and carried out by IAK Agrar Consulting GmbH.

At the start of the trip, the BMLEH, the Uruguayan Embassy, and the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) welcomed the delegation in Berlin. This was followed by the three-day international conference SoilCarbon4Climate: Pathways and Solutions for Soil Carbon in Temperate Regions (Sep 11-13, 2025) in Berlin. Following the opening remarks by Federal Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer and Stéphane Le Foll, President of the 4 per 1000 Initiative, there were high-level keynotes on international cooperation in carbon storage in soils and a discussion on the role of the private sector in sustainable soil management.

The Uruguayan delegation actively contributed its expertise to the breakout sessions on the second day of the conference:

• Agustín de Prado and Daniel Silveira (MGAP) presented the national soil conservation policy, which is implemented through mandatory soil use and management plans (Planes de Uso y Manejo Responsable de Suelos, PUMRS).
• Virginia Pravia (INIA) presented her research on carbon storage in South American grasslands and its central importance for climate protection.

At the end of the conference, field trips provided tangible examples of best practices. Regardless of the type of farm – whether an organic family farm, a pioneering syntropic farm, or a conventional agricultural cooperative – all impressed with their innovative approaches to soil health and circular economy, as well as their commitment and spirit of innovation.

In the following days, the delegation visited leading research institutions: At the Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) e.V., the focus was on projects relating to soil health, carbon farming, wind erosion, and autonomous agricultural technology. At the Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) in Kleinmachnow, the delegation discussed humus projects, agroforestry systems, and the potential of new crops such as quinoa and lupine with researchers. The program was rounded off with a visit to a regenerative farm in Niederen Fläming, which impressively demonstrated that direct sowing can also be a successful cultivation system in Germany.

At the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), the delegation gained insights into current research on digital agricultural technology, biochar, greenhouse gas balances, and agroecosystem services. This also provided an opportunity to further expand international research cooperation between Germany and Uruguay.

A contribution by IAK Consulting Agriculture Germany also provided an opportunity for a lively exchange on knowledge transfer between politics, science, and practice, as well as for a deeper understanding of the concerns of agricultural businesses.

The study trip concluded with a field tour and tasting at Germany's largest sea buckthorn producer – an impressive insight into the diversity of German agriculture.

Overall, the trip showed how science, politics, and practice can work together across national borders to keep soils healthy, store carbon, and make agriculture more resilient to climate change.