Institute of Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute)

Institute 490

Rural Development Theory and Policy (490a)  

Prof. Dr. Manfred Zeller

Rural development economics and policy I Food security I Poverty reduction and gender I Rural finance systems I Micro-finance institutions I Cooperatives I Agricultural research and technology adoption

International Agricultural Trade and Food Security (490b)

Prof. Dr. Martina Brockmeier

Policy analysis based on general equilibrium modeling, particularly the GTAP (Global Trade Analysis Project) model, focusing on developing countries I International food and agricultural trade policy I International and regional trade agreements I Food security and bioenergy

Social and Institutional Change in Agricultural Development (490c) 

Prof. Dr. Regina Birner 

Policy processes and governance in agriculture and natural resource management I Reform of the agricultural sector I Decentralization I Participatory development I Rural/agrarian movements I Agriculture in conflict-affected regions I Global organizations in food and agriculture

Land Use Economics in the Tropics and Subtropic (490d) 

Prof. Dr. Thomas Berger

Global changes (particularly climate change) and their impacts on food security at regional/local level I Rural land and water use planning I Policy analysis and technology assessment I Bioenergy I Multi-agent systems

Plant Production in the Tropics and Subtropics (490e)

Prof. Dr. Georg Cadisch

Tropical plant production systems and soil microbiology I Carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling and their potential to mitigate climate change I Modeling of land use change and its environmental effects I Agroforestry and symbiotic N2 fixation

Agroecology in the Tropics and Subtropics (490f)

PD Dr. Frank Rasche

Conservation and sustainable management of biotic resources in agriculturally shaped landscapes exposed to global change I Ecosystem functioning and stability I Optimization of beneficial and reduction of antagonistic biotic interactions in agro-ecosystems I Inter-disciplinary and multi-scale research approach to explore highly dynamic interfaces of biotic system components

Management of Crop Water Stress in the Tropics and Subtropics (490g)

Prof. Dr. Folkard Asch

Interactions between crops and their environment with special focus on water relations I Plants as interface between soil and atmosphere I Effects of vapor pressure deficit on plant responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, temperature and iron toxicity

Animal Breeding and Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics (490h)

Prof. Dr.  Mizeck Chagunda

Productive adaptation potential and special traits of local breeds I Bio-economic efficiency and resilience of animal husbandry systems I Development of breeding programs for marginal regions I Livestock's adaptability in view of climate change and water scarcity I Meat quality of local breeds

Animal Nutrition and Rangeland Management in the Tropics and Subtropics (490i)

Jun-Prof. Dr. Uta Dickhöfer

Feeding strategies to enhance the role of livestock in agroecosystems I Efficiency of nutrient fermentation in the forestomachs of ruminants I Environmental and management effects on the behavior of grazing animals I Modeling biomass and feeding value of rangeland forages

Agricultural Engineering in the Tropics and Subtropics (440e)

Prof. Dr. Joachim Müller

Efficient water and energy use such as water-saving irrigation strategies I Use of renewable energies and (solar) drying I Decentralized energy supply and sustainable bio-energy systems I Quality monitoring in fruit production and processing