Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Horticultural Economics

Rural sectors in the Andean Region and Mesoamerica face large challenges to economic and social cohesion as well as in protecting the natural environment: insecurity of smallholders' incomes; rural poverty; weak institution-building; overuse of natural resources; low ability of rural households to react to effects of climate change – to name a few of them. These challenges call for high-quality transdisciplinary research, functioning knowledge exchange between academics and practitioners and problem-based trainings for facilitators of change. We aim to contribute to these goals by institutionalising a high-quality research, education and training network for sustainable rural development, natural resources and agricultural value chains which is integrated internationally, regionally and locally. Thereby we support stakeholders´ efforts to direct changes towards a balanced and equitable socio-economic development and environmental protection.