agri:change – Future through change: Sustainability transformation in the agricultural and food industry in Lower Saxony
The transformation of agriculture is a task for society as a whole. As part of the five-year joint project agri:change, science, practice, politics and society are working together to develop ways to achieve a resilient, sustainable agricultural and food system. The state of Lower Saxony is funding the project with around 25 million euros from the zukunft.niedersachsen programme together with the Volkswagen Foundation.
The project aims to shape transformation processes, use resources efficiently, improve animal welfare, open up new business areas and promote acceptance and participation. Through transdisciplinary cooperation, practical real-world laboratories and dialogue with stakeholders, the project contributes to ecologically, economically and socially sustainable agriculture in Lower Saxony.
Under the coordination of the University of Göttingen and in close cooperation with the trafo:agrar network, practice-oriented solutions are being developed and tested in four agri:labs. Here, new approaches are emerging for sustainable value creation systems, forward-looking animal husbandry, strengthening the circular economy through the use of by-products, and integrated agricultural landscape development.
agrilab X1: Sustainable value creation systems & transparency
agrilab X2: Sustainable livestock farming
agrilab X3: Upcycling of plant and animal by-products
agrilab X4: Integrated agricultural landscape development
Three cross-cutting themes address issues of market and environmental connections, social acceptance and the legal framework.
The Chair of Marketing for Food and Agricultural Products at the University of Göttingen is responsible for processing individual work packages and coordinating the two agrilabs X1 „Nachhaltige Wertschöpfungssysteme und Nachhaltigkeitstransparenz“ und X3 „Upcycling von pflanzlichen und tierischen Nebenströmen“ as well as the cross-cutting topic „gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz“.
agri:lab X1
agri:lab X1 focuses specifically on assessing sustainability in value chains, analysing transformation potential and developing new cooperation and diversification models for agricultural and food companies. This provides key impetus for the design of sustainable, resource-efficient production systems, the promotion of transformation skills and the development of new sources of income in Lower Saxony. AP X1.2 focuses in particular on identifying social trends/consumer developments as starting points for the sustainability transformation of agricultural value chains. The aim is to investigate how the identified trends can be implemented in a practical manner for sustainable (regional) value creation.Coordination and contact persons X1
- Prof. Dr. Achim Spiller
- Dr. Sarah Iweala
- Co-Koordination: Dr. Julia Gickel (TiHo Hannover), Prof. Dr. Christian Visscher (TiHo Hannover)
Other lab partners:
Prof. Dr. Oliver Mußhoff (HU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Silke Hüttel (Uni Göttingen), Prof. Dr. Doris Läpple (Uni Göttingen), Prof. Dr. Antje Risius (Uni Göttingen/HS Fulda), Prof. Dr. Nana Zubek (HS Osnabrück)
agri:lab X3
agri:lab X3 focuses on the efficient use of plant and animal by-products. The aim is to develop new business areas that are economically viable and socially acceptable. The research investigates applications for by-products in plant, animal and human nutrition, optimises their economic use and analyses their social acceptance. In this way, X3 makes a key contribution to resource conservation, sustainability and innovation in the agricultural and food sector. AP X3.8 is specifically dedicated to recording social perceptions and expectations regarding by-product use, upcycled products and food waste. In addition, a suitable label for upcycled products that is accepted by consumers is to be developed.Coordination and contact persons X3
- Prof. Dr. Achim Spiller
- Dr. Elisa Bayer
- Dr. Aurelia Schütz
- Co-Koordination: Prof. Dr. Guido Recke (HS Osnabrück)
Other lab partners:
Prof. Dr. Susanne Neugart (Uni Göttingen), Prof. Dr. Diemo Daum (HS Osnabrück), Dr. Volker Heinz (DILL), Dr. Cornelia Schwennen (TiHo Hannover), Dr. Julia Gickel (TiHo Hannover), Prof. Dr. Christian Visscher (TiHo Hannover), Dr. Lisa Siekmann (TiHo Hannover), PD Dr. Nadja Jeßberger (TiHo Hannover), Prof. Tuba Esatbeyoglu (Uni Hannover), Prof. Dr, Madleine Plötz (TiHo Hannover), Prof. Dr. John-Oliver Engler (Uni Vechta), Prof. Dr. Henrik von Wehrden (Uni Lüneburg)
Project overview
Detailed Project overview
Running time:
Start: July 2025 | End: July 2030
Funding:
Funded by zukunft.niedersachsen, the joint science funding programme of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation.