German Agri-Food Systems Think & Do Tank (GAST) Launches and Calls for Collaboration
Four core institutions, as well as at least 20 organizations and 45 experts from the fields of research and practice, support the Think & Do Tank
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Bringing together research and practice to create a resilient, competitive, and safe agri-food system in Germany
The German Agri-Food Systems Think & Do Tank (GAST) was launched on November 11, 2026, as a leading, independent, and cross-institutional initiative that brings together existing activities and expertise from research, politics, business, the field, and civil society. It welcomes new partners and contributions to the planned 2027 demonstration program.
GAST is supported by four core partners: the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), the Hans Eisenmann Forum for Agricultural Sciences at the Technical University of Munich (HEF@TUM), the University of Hohenheim, and the Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute.
ATB and HEF@TUM are jointly overseeing the administrative preparations for the 2027 program. They are supported in this effort by at least 20 key organizations and at least 45 leading experts from the fields of research, innovation, and knowledge transfer in Germany’s agriculture and food sector.
“Germany’s agricultural and food systems need stronger coordination between research, innovation, and practice. GAST brings key partners together to set common priorities and put knowledge into practice through joint action,” says Barbara Sturm, spokesperson for GAST.
A position paper and a brief published by the ATB explain GAST’s vision, mission, and approach.
GAST aims to more closely link scientific findings, decision-making, and implementation across sectors and regions. The goal is to strengthen resilience, competitiveness, and food security and supply. This includes access to affordable, safe, and healthy food for everyone.
GAST is a “Think & Do” tank. “Think” combines research, data, foresight, and practical knowledge to evaluate findings and future courses of action. “Do” links this work to testing, demonstration, and implementation within existing organizations.
Three proposed priority topics are up for discussion: foresight and crisis prevention, an assessment of the German agricultural and food system involving relevant stakeholder groups, and the implementation of research findings and innovations. Following consultation with relevant stakeholder groups, the partners will jointly agree on the selection and scope of the topics.
GAST will be presented on November 18, 2026, in Bonn at the status seminar on EU partnerships, organized by BMLEH, BMFTR, BLE, and PtJ. “We have the ingredients, a shared recipe, great chefs, and now, with GAST, an open kitchen for Germany’s agricultural and food systems. Join us!” says Naser Reyhani, GAST coordinator, calling for participation.
Interested partners and contributors can contact the central GAST coordinators, Barbara Sturm and Naser Reyhani (nreyhani@atb-potsdam.de). Please provide your name and organization and briefly describe your interest, question, or potential contribution.
Scientific Contacts:
Spokesperson: Barbara Sturm director@atb-potsdam.de Co-spokesperson: Iris Lewandowski irislewandowski@uni-hohenheim.de Co-spokesperson: Martin Banse martin.banse@thuenen.de Coordinator: Naser Reyhani nreyhani@atb-potsdam.de
Original publication:
Position paper: https://www.atb-potsdam.de/de/position-paper-gast Short paper: https://www.atb-potsdam.de/de/brief-paper-gast
Note: This article has been translated using a computer system without human intervention. LUMITOS offers these automatic translations to present a wider range of current news. Since this article has been translated with automatic translation, it is possible that it contains errors in vocabulary, syntax or grammar. The original article in German can be found here.
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Food safety is at the heart of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that the food we eat every day is not only nutritious, but also free of harmful contaminants. From field to plate, the industry monitors and regulates every step of the process with strict quality controls, advanced testing methods and continuous research.
Topic world Food safety
Food safety is at the heart of the food and beverage industry. It ensures that the food we eat every day is not only nutritious, but also free of harmful contaminants. From field to plate, the industry monitors and regulates every step of the process with strict quality controls, advanced testing methods and continuous research.