Transformation of sustainable agricultural systems: New working paper published

27.03.2026
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How can the transition to sustainable agricultural systems be achieved? This central question is addressed in the newly published working paper “Transformation Pathways towards Sustainable Agricultural Systems – From Vision to Implementation”. The publication has been released as a Working Paper of the Research Institute for Regional and Urban Development (ILS) and was produced by the central coordination office of the “Agricultural Systems of the Future” funding programme, which is based at the Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops (IGZ) and ILS.

The working paper demonstrates how the transition from visionary future scenarios to concrete transformation pathways can be shaped. Against the backdrop of global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity and biodiversity loss, it is clear that far-reaching changes in agriculture are necessary.

At the heart of the publication are four overarching transformation pathways, which were developed over a multi-year, cross-consortium process. These pathways combine scientific findings with practical implementation and contribute to the development of innovative, sustainable and socially viable solutions for the agricultural systems of the future.

The authors emphasise that the transformation of agricultural systems can only succeed through the interaction of science, business, politics and society. The working paper provides a common strategic basis for this and identifies concrete starting points for knowledge transfer, cooperation and implementation.

The publication is aimed at stakeholders from research, politics, business and civil society who are involved in shaping sustainable agricultural and food systems or who wish to actively promote them.

Publication:
Weith, T.; Regierer, B.; Hassen, E.; Fleischmann, S.; Schreiner, M. (2026): Transformation Pathways towards Sustainable Agricultural Systems – From Vision to Implementation. ILS Working Paper 17. Dortmund. https://www.ils-forschung.de/wissenstransfer/ils-publikationen/ils-working-paper/?id=865