Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO)

The Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO), located in Halle (Saale), is a renowned research institution dedicated to the analysis and design of economic, social, and political change processes in the agricultural and food sectors as well as in rural areas.

The IAMO focuses on several central themes:

• Regulatory Framework and Institutions: Examination of the political and institutional framework conditions of the agricultural sector and rural areas.
• Resilient Agricultural Systems: Analysis of the challenges and functions of agriculture and the resilience of agricultural systems in the context of political framework conditions.
• Environmental Risks: Investigation of the impacts of environmental changes on rural livelihoods and development of strategies to cope with resource scarcity, disasters, and weather extremes.
• Living Conditions and Migration: Analysis of the quality of life in rural areas and examination of the decision-making behavior of rural households regarding employment, migration, and investment and consumption behavior.
• Global Food and Supply Chains: Focus on the functionality of value chains and their role in food security, especially in transition countries of Europe and Asia.
• Innovations and Knowledge: Investigation of the prerequisites and socio-economic consequences of innovation processes in agricultural production, in supply chains, and knowledge networks[1][4].

The IAMO sees itself as a driver of international research in agricultural economics. Its mission includes three core tasks:

• International Research: Conducting research on agriculture and food systems as well as on the development of rural areas in formerly centrally planned economies of Europe and Asia.
• Exchange between Science, Economy, and Politics: The IAMO serves as a forum for the exchange between academics, decision-makers from politics, and the economy.
• Promotion of Young Scientists: Supporting young academic talents, especially from partner countries, in their scientific qualification[1][4].

The IAMO is engaged in various sustainability initiatives:

• Environmental and Climate Protection: Through research on environmental risks and the development of strategies to cope with environmental changes, the IAMO contributes to sustainability in rural areas.
• Food Security: The work of the IAMO on the functionality of value chains and global food security supports the sustainable supply of food to the population.
• International Cooperation: Through close collaboration with international partners and research institutions, the IAMO promotes knowledge and technology transfer, contributing to sustainable solutions in agriculture[1][4].

The IAMO is organized as a foundation under public law. The governing bodies of the institute include the Executive Board, the Foundation Council, and the Scientific Advisory Board. The Executive Board is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of research programs, while the Foundation Council oversees the management and accompanies long-term strategic planning. The Scientific Advisory Board advises on scientific and technical issues and promotes international cooperation[3].

The IAMO is part of the Leibniz Association, a consortium of German non-university research institutes committed to strengthening research and promoting cooperation between science, economy, and politics[2].

• 1 - https://www.iamo.de/home
• 2 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leibniz-Gemeinschaft
• 3 - https://www.iamo.de/institut/organisation
• 4 - https://www.iamo.de/en/home
• 5 - https://www.iamo.de/fileadmin/documents/sr_vol63.pdf