Agenda
June 9th Day 1- Agroecology of underutilised and indigenous crops
09:30–09:45 Welcome by the Vice President for International Affairs at the University of Hohenheim | Prof. Dr. Andreas Pyka
09:45–09:50 Welcome by the German Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space | Marina Schuster
09:50–09:55 Welcome by the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity | Maja Clausen
09:55–10:15 Welcome | Prof. Dr. Christine Wieck & Prof. Dr. Ingo Grass, University of Hohenheim
10:15–11:00 Keynote Underutilised crops for the 21th century
- Using underutilised crops for food system resilience: from agroecology to human nutrition | Prof. Ndiko Ludidi, University of Mpumalanga
11:00–11:30 Coffee break
11:30–12:45 Session 1: Agroecology of underutilised and indigenous crops
12:45–14:15 Lunch (Mensa)
14:15–15:45 Keynotes Crop diversity
- From underutilised crop to arising agronomic importance: the examples of hemp and chickpea | Prof. Dr. Simone Graeff-Hoenninger, University of Hohenheim
- From marginal to strategic: Climate-resilient production systems for indigenous and underutilised crops | Dr. Ethel Phiri, Stellenbosch University
15:45–17:00 Poster session 1 + Coffee Break: Agroecology of underutilised and indigenous crops
17:00–18:00 Tour of the Botanical Garden of the University of Hohenheim | Dr. Helmut Dalitz & Dr. Robert Gliniars
18:00 Dinner at Garbe Biergarten (self-paying)
June 10th Day 2 - Underutilised crops and climate change adaptation
09:00–10:30 Keynote: Plant breeding and climate resilience
- Improving the potential of underutilised crops by plant breeding using quinoa and amaranth as examples | Prof. Dr. Karl Schmid, University of Hohenheim
- The double role of underutilised crops for climate resilience and protein supply | Dr. Lembe S. Magwaza, Cranfield University
10:30–11:00 Session 2: Breeding, agronomy, and crop diversity conservation
11:00–11:30 Coffee break
11:30–12:30 Keynote 4: International organisations
- Global initiatives for crop diversity | Nico Wilms-Posen, Crop Trust
Nourishing Diversity: Unlocking the Nutritional Power of Opportunity Crops | Simone Welte, Welthungerhilfe
12:30–14:00 Lunch (Mensa)
14:00–15:30 Sessions 3: Climate resilience and adaptation strategies & Workshop Network and Information System Session
15:30–15:45 Coffee break
15:45–17:00 Poster Session 2 + Coffee Break: Underutilised and indigenous crops and climate change
17:00–18:45 Visit of field experiments at the University of Hohenheim
19:00–22:00 Conference dinner, Grand Foyer, Castle
June 11th Day 3 - Creating value chains for underutilised crops
09:00–10:30 Keynote 3: Market challenges and innovations
- Market challenges for niche products | Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hess, University of Hohenheim
- Food innovations and consumer acceptance of underutilised crops | Prof. Unathi Kolanisi, University of Zululand
10:30–11:00 Session 4A: Creating value chains for underutilised crops & Session 4B: Food security and nutrition
11:00–11:30 Coffee break
11:30–12:45 Poster Session 3 + Coffee Break: Focus on value chains
12:45-13:00 Wrap up and poster prizes
13:00–13:30 Lunch box to go, departure
13:30–19:00 Excursion to Beuren Open Air Museum
We will visit the Beuren Open-Air Museum, a living showcase of rural Swabian heritage featuring historic farmhouses, gardens, and traditional crafts. During our visit, the Genbänkle initiative will share insights into their work on conserving rare and traditional crop varieties in the region. Participants will also have time to explore the museum grounds at their own pace.