International perspectives in agriculture
Germany promotes international cooperation in agriculture in a variety of ways. A look at three partnerships.
Ukraine: Cooperation in wartime
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has highlighted the importance of supporting agriculture in Ukraine, a key grain exporter. Even long before the attack on 24 February 2022, Germany and Ukraine had engaged in close agricultural exchange, for example in the area of organic farming. Germany is currently providing funding for a number of areas in Ukraine, including projects focusing on specialist agricultural training and subsistence farming with fruit, vegetables and organic produce – and is paying for generators to supply power to farms in areas particularly hard hit by the war.
Colombia: Ecology and biodiversity
The peace process is continuing after decades of civil war in Colombia. Against this backdrop, German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir made the following statement in 2023: “It is clear in Colombia that peace policy is always a question of food and agriculture policy too. Peace is needed so that farmers can work their fields without fear and secure the food supply for their fellow citizens.” Özdemir’s statement was prompted by an agreement with the South American country to initiate new and wide-ranging cooperation in agriculture. It aims to promote an approach to agriculture that places the emphasis on ecology and biodiversity and that empowers women and young farmers in particular.
New Zealand: Climate change mitigation and food security
Agriculture in harmony with nature also means keeping an eye on climate change mitigation. This is a central element of the German-New Zealand agricultural partnership, which is based on the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) initiated by New Zealand. German Agriculture Minister Özdemir stresses: “Farmers in both our countries are going to benefit from this cooperation and from the mutual exchange of knowledge and experience. In addition, we would like to make solutions available on how climate change mitigation and food security can work, in particular for countries of the global south.”
