CDE researcher Gabi Sonderegger has received the Bernese Award for Environmental Research for her dissertation analysing how voluntary sustainability standards in agriculture address spillover effects beyond their immediate sphere of action. Her research systematically examined 100 major standards and 21 ecological, social, and economic spillover effects, highlighting important gaps—particularly regarding socio-economic impacts such as labour migration. The work contributes to ongoing debates on sustainability governance in globally interconnected agricultural systems and provides insights for policymakers and standard-setting organizations seeking to improve the effectiveness of sustainability instruments.

At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Biovision convened a panel discussion on how agroecological enterprises can scale their impact and contribute to sustainable food systems. The discussion highlighted the importance of supportive political frameworks, visibility for successful agroecological businesses, and new tools such as Biovision’s Business Agroecology Criteria Tool (B-ACT) to assess alignment with agroecological principles. By showcasing enterprises that combine economic viability with environmental and social goals, Biovision aims to strengthen the case for agroecology in global food and agriculture policy debates.

FiBL has launched a new project to develop simple tools for monitoring soil health in cocoa production systems. The initiative aims to identify practical soil health indicators that farmers and advisers can use directly in the field, supporting more sustainable cocoa farming. An initial online workshop brought together international experts to discuss indicators and measurement approaches, with further workshops planned to refine the framework.

CIRAD
Qualifications: Master’s degree in agronomy with strong competencies in agricultural economics, statistical analysis, and systems analysis. Experience with field research, data collection and management, and methods such as GLM or multivariate analysis is required. Candidates should demonstrate strong motivation for fieldwork in tropical conditions, ability to work in interdisciplinary and multicultural teams, and capacity to organize and communicate research results. Experience in crop systems evaluation or tropical agriculture is an asset. Proficiency in scientific English and a valid driving licence are required.

University of Hohenheim, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (Hans-Ruthenberg-Institute)
Qualifications: Applicants must hold a completed university degree in agricultural sciences or a related discipline and a doctorate of outstanding quality. They are expected to demonstrate an independent and innovative research profile in tropical livestock systems, with empirical research experience in the tropics and subtropics, ideally including smallholder systems. A strong record of international peer-reviewed publications and proven success in securing external research funding are required. Candidates should show experience in interdisciplinary collaboration and cooperation with international research partners. Pedagogical suitability and experience in university-level teaching are expected. International applicants must be willing to acquire German language skills within a reasonable period of time.