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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
In the panel discussion “Water, Food & Climate: Lessons from Sino-German Cooperation” on January 16, 2026, at the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin, German and Chinese experts discussed water scarcity, its impact on agriculture, and leading solutions which can be used as effective countermeasures in both countries.
Dr. Michaela Böhme, Managing Director of the Sino-German Agricultural Center (DCZ), opened the panel discussion by identifying water scarcity as the central theme of this year's GFFA expert panel. While German agriculture has been habitually characterized by sufficient rainfall, issues of water availability are increasingly shifting into focus. In China, on the other hand, the issue of unevenly distributed water resources has long been a key challenge, with the gap between water supply and demand continuing to grow. Given this background, the exchange of experiences between Germany and China is particularly important in order to identify effective strategies for both countries.
In a comparative analysis, IAMO scientist Dr. Zhanli Sun presented the climatic differences and regional agricultural requirements in Germany and China. Despite different initial conditions, both countries are equally affected by climate change. Drought is gradually becoming the new normal, accompanied by more frequent extreme weather events with noticeable effects on agricultural production. The expansion of digital agriculture and the increased use of drones and efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation were highlighted as key solutions to meet rising water demand.
Dr. Frank Wechsung from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) explained water-related risks resulting from climate-induced extreme changes, including rising temperatures, increasing CO₂ emissions, and uneven precipitation distribution. One particularly influential variable is the decline in wind speeds. This leads to changes in precipitation patterns, with lower rainfall in summer and higher rainfall in winter. In conjunction with high-pressure systems in summer, this increases the likelihood of prolonged droughts in both Germany and China.
Dr. Zhandong Liu from the Irrigation Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) illustrated the situation in the northwestern region of China, which is characterized by grain and cotton cultivation. Key challenges arise from the imbalance between water supply and demand, in particular from the low per capita water availability, which requires comprehensive water conservation measures. Agriculture remains the largest water consumer, with groundwater having been overused for years. At the same time, ecological conflicts are intensifying, for example, due to the decline in shoreline vegetation and windbreaks. Climate change is a key driving force behind these developments.
Dr. Liu presented highly efficient water-saving technologies as possible solutions, including drip irrigation, real-time sensor technology, and precision-controlled valves. The aim is to secure yields and establish smart agricultural irrigation systems in a strategic manner.
In view of rising food production, Prof. Dr. Martin Wagner from the Technical University of Darmstadt and the German Water Partnership (GWP) analyzed solutions for the agricultural use of treated wastewater. The key requirement is to ensure high water quality in order to enable its use, particularly in food production. It is important to protect groundwater for farmers and consumers in rural areas. With suitable filtration and disinfection processes, treated wastewater can be safely reused, for example, in drip irrigation.
About the GFFA
The 18th Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) took place from January 14 to 17, 2026, under the title "Water. Harvests. Our Future." The GFFA is an international conference on agricultural and food policy issues. It was organized by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMLEH) in cooperation with Messe Berlin GmbH.
About IAMO
The Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) analyses economic, social and political processes of change in the agricultural and food sector, and in rural areas. The geographic focus covers the enlarging EU, transition regions of Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe, as well as Central and Eastern Asia. IAMO works to enhance the understanding of institutional, structural and technological changes. Moreover, IAMO studies the resulting impacts on the agricultural and food sector as well as the living conditions of rural populations. The outcomes of our work are used to derive and analyse strategies and options for enterprises, agricultural markets and politics. Since its founding in 1994, IAMO has been part of the Leibniz Association, a German community of independent research institutes.
Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO)
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www.iamo.de/en
https://www.iamo.de/en/press/press-releases/article/gffa-fachpodium-praesentiert...
Panelists Martin Wagner, Zhandong Liu, Frank Wechsung, Zhanli Sun und Michaela Böhme at the GFFA in ...
Quelle: Daniela Schiming
Copyright: © IAMO
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