Agroscope: Lutz Merbold Takes Over ‘Agroecology and Environment’ Strategic Research Division

Bern, 09.09.2020 - Lutz Merbold will be heading the ‘Agroecology and Environment’ Strategic Research Division at Agroscope from 1 October 2020. Currently a Research Group Leader at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya, he brings his solid knowledge of sustainable agroecosystems to Agroscope. Lutz Merbold takes over from Robert Baur, who has decided to continue his career at Agroscope in the ‘Strategy and Corporate Development’ Division.

On 1 October 2020, the 40-year-old Lutz Merbold becomes the new Head of the ‘Agroecology and Environment’ Strategic Research Division at Agroscope, thereby also becoming a Member of the Executive Board. “I’m looking forward to helping create a more sustainable agricultural sector through an integrated, multidisciplinary approach. We want to develop and support future-proof agroecosystems – for Switzerland and abroad” explains Lutz Merbold, shortly before taking up his new post.

Career stages: Germany, Switzerland and Kenya

Lutz Merbold is currently a Research Group Leader at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in Nairobi, Kenya, where he and his team of 40 conduct various projects on agroecosystems in East and West Africa. At Agroscope, he will direct his theoretical and practical expertise towards consumer-oriented and environmentally friendly food production – particularly as regards the site-appropriate use of natural resources such as water, soil and biodiversity. Lutz Merbold did his PhD at the ETH Zurich, where he then researched and taught for several years.

Lutz Merbold succeeds Robert Baur

Lutz Merbold is taking over from Robert Baur, who has headed the ‘Agroecology and Environment’ Strategic Research Division since 2017. Agroscope’s Executive Board thanks Robert Baur for his dedication and commitment over what will soon be 30 years at Agroscope, and looks forward to being able to count on his wide experience in the ‘Strategy and Corporate Development’ Division in future.


Address for enquiries

Marc Andrey
Head of Communication
Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3003 Bern / Switzerland
marc.andrey@agroscope.admin.ch
+ 41 58 485 68 21

Agroscope Media Service
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media@agroscope.admin.ch
+ 41 58 466 88 62



Publisher

AGROSCOPE
http://www.agroscope.admin.ch

https://www.admin.ch/content/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-80330.html