What an inspiring and energizing week it has been at Tropentag 2025!

Our team was proud to be part of this vibrant gathering of minds focused on shaping the future of sustainable agriculture and food systems.

It all began on Wednesday morning, with our team kicking off Workshop 12: “Roots to Regions: Tracking Agroforestry for Scaling Up”, led by Philip Schierning, MD Sofiullah, Dr Jannike van Bruggen, Dr Kathrin Meinhold, and Lilian Beck, the session sparked engaging dialogue on the potential of agroforestry to transform landscapes and livelihoods.

Later that evening, MD Sofiullah took the stage with an oral presentation on whether agroforestry can sustain farm profitability under climate risks in Uzbekistan – an eye-opening case for resilience in the face of change.

Thursday was packed with insight and exchange

We started bright and early as Leidy Johanna Bedoya Giraldo shared her poster on agroforestry typologies and farmers’ perceptions in the Peruvian Amazon – bringing voices from San Martín into the spotlight.

Prof. Natalie Laibach followed with a compelling oral presentation exploring sorghum root metabolism and BR signaling to improve stress tolerance – vital for sustainable farming in a changing climate.

In the afternoon, Emil Begimkulov dived into consumer behavior with a cross-country analysis of credence attributes in dried fruit and nut markets. And in the evening poster sessions, Emil returned with another study on consumption patterns—alongside MD Sofiullah, who unpacked the socio-economic dimensions of agroforestry in Uzbekistan.

Friday wrapped up the week with a strong finish

Emil presented yet another poster, this time exploring whether certified SME food processors in Kyrgyzstan outperform uncertified ones—an important angle on quality and competitiveness in food systems. Meanwhile, Prof. Matthias Kleinke showcased his work on baobab rootstock selection—looking at the roots of resilience, quite literally.

💡 From Amazonian forests to Central Asian farms, from consumer markets to crop roots, our team was thrilled to contribute to the big conversations shaping agriculture’s future.

A heartfelt thank you to the organizers, fellow researchers, and everyone who joined us at Tropentag 2025. We are leaving inspired, connected, and ready to take the next steps in our research journeys.