Tropentag 2026 - Multifunctional agroecosystems promoting climate-resilient futures 

Given the multiple current global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and armed conflicts, agricultural and food systems are facing unprecedented pressures. Through developing innovative and practical solutions, international agricultural research can make an important contribution to strengthening their resilience and sustainability.

The Tropentag facilitated interdisciplinary exchange and highlighted ways to collaboratively shape diverse landscapes in order to generate sustainable incomes, promote a healthy environment, and give equal consideration to cultural values. During the International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP), particular emphasis was placed on the importance of extensive transhumance for the sustainable use of ecosystems and for securing the livelihoods of local communities.

The international conference also provided an excellent opportunity for international research projects funded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Regional Identity (BMLEH) to present their work. The projects are implemented by German research institutions in collaboration with institutions in sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia together with relevant stakeholders. In addition, the BMLEH doctoral program specifically funds projects on global food security at departmental research institutions and the Leibniz Institutes of the BMLEH. The BLE serves as the project management agency. 

BMLEH session highlights research on healthy, safe and sustainable food and nutrition 

During the BMLEH session, three projects presented innovative approaches to improve the safety of food and animal feed. In the panel discussion that followed, participants shared experiences regarding existing obstacles and potential solutions.

Ethiopia: Handling and safety of camel milk 

Milking of camels in Adama, Ethiopia Source: Regina Roessler

Bekele Megersa from the University of Addis Ababa presented the “SUSCAMI” project in Ethiopia. The project examines how the handling and food safety of camel milk can be improved along the entire value chain. By combining local, indigenous knowledge with scientific analyses, strategies for better camel feeding and health care are being developed. The limited availability of refrigeration infrastructure and water poses a major challenge for hygienic production and marketing of camel milk.

Ghana: Dietary habits and mycotoxin levels in the body

Mycotoxin contamination in food poses a major threat to human health. Yet, there is often a lack of reliable data on the foods through which these fungal toxins enter the human body and how high the actual level of contamination in the body really is. This is the focus of the “Mycotoxins_Ghana” project. Michael Oppong from the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) presented initial approaches to investigate the linkages between dietary habits and the presence of toxins in the bodies of Ghanaian adults. Based on these findings, appropriate measures will be developed to minimize risks and raise broad public awareness. 

Kenya: Reducing fungal infection and aflatoxins in maize  

Maize contaminated with mold in a field in Kenya. Source: SoLFOOD

Maize, an important staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, is regularly and heavily contaminated with carcinogenic fungal mycotoxins such as aflatoxins. Katharina Neumeier from the Max Rubner-Institute reported on the project “SoLFOOD”. The project is developing innovative methods to detoxicate contaminated maize and thus, making it suitable for human consumption using aerobic fermentation by specialized fungal species. In the developed process, mycotoxins are broken down and mycoproteins are synthesized. As a result, maize that was previously harmful to the health of consumers is transformed into a valuable food source with an extended shelf life. 

The exchange during the session highlighted how closely interlinked the health of people, animals, and the environment is, and how the development of effective strategies to improve food safety makes an important contribution to the well-being of all.

Further information 

Tropentag: https://www.tropentag.de/
Social media/ Tropentag blog: https://blog.tropentag.de/
International research cooperation on global food security: https://www.ble.de/EN/Project-Funding/Funding-Contracts/International-Research-Cooperation/Research-Cooperation-Global-Food-Security/research-cooperation-global-food-security_node.html