Gerald Dohme started off by reporting on the political work of the association and the organisational structure of the DBV, as well as on the challenges of lobbying. Achieving complete satisfaction among all members is not possible, but, as experts in the field of agriculture, the DBV provides important impetus for political decisions in the agricultural sector and is a strong force in representing the combined interests of its members on the national stage. Communicate, send key messages and stay tuned – that’s how to make yourself heard in politics. Even though not all farmers are members, they benefit from such efforts, further highlighting the importance of such a national association. Other topics included mobilising skilled labour and taking steps to increase interest in agriculture among young people, as well as empowering women. These measures feature image-building to make the profession more attractive again and focusing on agriculture as a profitable business, especially in the Global South (under the heading: “Farming as a business”).
Thorben Persch then presented the Andreas Hermes Akademie and its work nationally and internationally. The area of “strengthening farmers’ organisations” with existing projects in Ethiopia and Uganda particularly aroused delegates’ interest. Jana Knofe, with the Schorlemer Foundation, presented opportunities for further training on an international level via specialised internships. The importance of international partners meeting on equal terms and global alliances pursuing common goals (education, financial stability, building sustainable structures etc.) could not have been made any clearer by this visit.
Guest article by Jana Knofe, Schorlemer Foundation
