More than 30 people took part in the field day at the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, during which the trial areas in Merbitz-Löbejün were visited. They were able to examine various crop rotations, which are being researched as part of the DiP-SuSaKlim project “Superfood from Saxony-Anhalt”. The aim is to cultivate innovative and climate-adapted crop rotations in organic farming and to process them into plant-based organic products in the future. This is intended to promote economic development and job creation in the region in the long term.

Introducing DiP-SuSaKlim and DiP-iQ-Hemp

How can agriculture adapt to the changing climate? In particular, the testing of plants from dry regions is intended to offer farmers in southern Saxony-Anhalt alternatives in the future. Since April 2024, oil plants such as safflower, camelina, linseed and Iberian dragon’s head have been cultivated in demonstration plots and variety trials have been carried out with protein plants such as lentils, chickpeas and soybeans. In addition, old cereal varieties such as chia, quinoa and amaranth are being used in initial taste tests.

In addition to the exact trials at the AEVZ Merbitz, which deal with the question of which superfood varieties could become native here, the DiP-iQ hemp project was also presented. On the hemp variety trial plots, the focus is on fiber hemp variety testing and efficient sowing for an optimum yield of industrial hemp (seed density trials with 100-400 plants per 1m³). In addition, the digitalization of harvest qualities is being driven forward for both farmers and the processing industry.

The next field day in Merbitz is expected to take place in September. Then, shortly before or shortly after the harvest, you will be able to see the seeds, oils and grains better on site and, above all, taste them.

Many thanks to Ms. Urte Grauwinkel, Bernd Look and Heinrich Rennebaum for the great organization and the exciting insights on site. We would love to come back.