Sachsen-Anhalt with a high potential for a plant-based economy

The effects of climate change, the demographic change and the decreasing agricultural land mean agriculture is facing major challenges. Plant cultivation, more productive farming methods and more effective use of all vegetable components offer the basis for a plant-based economy, which satisfies both the needs of the food industry and the raw materials supply for industry.

With more than a hundred years of experience in plant cultivation and state-of-the-art research facilities of bioeconomy and biotechnology, Sachsen-Anhalt is making a significant contribution in this regard.

The food industry is the industry with the highest turnover in Sachsen-Anhalt. Leading producers of frozen bakery products and ready-made bakery goods are among Sachsen-Anhalt’s innovative companies in the food industry. Both product development, manufacturing and Germany and European logistics have contributed to creating more than 1,000 jobs.

In addition, plant cultivation and seed production, efficient food processing technology and modern production procedures form important components of a plant-based value added chain. University and non-university research facilities are developing new possible uses for plants and plant components for the food sector, the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and in order to supply raw materials to the industry.

The ScienceCampus – Plant-based Bioeconomy (WCH) in Halle includes the scientific disciplines of plant-based agricultural sciences, biology, biochemistry and biotechnology. Interdisciplinary research projects are implemented here and their practice use is supporting within the region.

The Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben houses one of the largest gene banks for crops in the world. Around 150,000 seed stocks from over 3,000 crop species and almost 800 plant genres are preserved here and are available for research projects.