Quedlinburg, March 24, 2025 – The Julius Kühn Institute (JKI) in Quedlinburg welcomed the Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to Germany, H.E. Yadir Salazar Mejía, her attaché Joan Guerrero, and additional guests from the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), GFA Consulting Group, and GOPA AFC. The visit highlighted the close scientific cooperation between Germany and Colombia in the field of sustainable agriculture and agroecology.

At the center of discussions was the German-Colombian Training and Demonstration Project for Agroecology (PACA), which is funded under BMEL’s Bilateral Cooperation Program (BKP). In this project, JKI collaborates with the Colombian agricultural research organization AGROSAVIA and other partners to scientifically validate and implement agroecological farming methods. The goal is to promote climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural systems that contribute to food security, biodiversity conservation, and the empowerment of marginalized communities.

A current field trial at the Tibaitatá Research Center is already examining the benefits of agroforestry systems for soil fertility and ecological sustainability. In addition, participatory research projects are being conducted with farmers in five regions of Colombia to test and scientifically assess agroecological practices. The project results are also intended to be integrated into agricultural education and advisory services.