Established in 1806 the Department for Agrarökonomie boasts a rich history. It’s a cornerstone of the Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institut. This institute is part of the Humboldt University of Berlin’s Life Sciences Faculty. The Department for Agrarökonomie is not just a building. It’s a testament to generations of agricultural research.
Initially housed in the Märkisch Rittergut Mögli. The institute’s early days were shaped by Albrecht Daniel Thaer. He was a pioneering agricultural scientist. Thaer’s work fundamentally shaped the field of agricultural science. His contributions are still relevant today. He gave lectures at the University of Berlin from 1810 to 1819. His innovative teaching program covered chemistry physics geology geography botany zoology and mathematics. It also incorporated “Gewerbslehre” the ancestor of modern Agrarökonomie. “Agronomie” soil science fertilizer studies and crop cultivation were also taught. Animal husbandry animal nutrition and animal care were included. His curriculum strikingly mirrors today’s agricultural education.
The Department for Agrarökonomie eventually became part of the Royal Prussian Academic Institute of Agriculture. It later evolved into the Royal Agricultural College of Berlin. This college flourished expanding its curriculum and student body. It produced groundbreaking research and achieved the right to grant doctorates. This period featured famous scientists like Erwin Baur and Max Delbrück.
The First World War severely impacted the college. Despite this setback the institute continued its work. Many of the institute’s 27 institutes relocated from Invalidenstraße 42 to Berlin-Dahlem. This relocation happened between the early 1920s and the early 1930s. Thirteen of the institutes moved to the Albrecht-Thaer-Weg and Lentzeallee area. The creation of a horticultural department in 1929 marked a pivotal moment. It created the first university-level horticultural program in Germany.
The Nazi era brought significant challenges. Many renowned professors were dismissed for political or racial reasons. The institute’s involvement in the devastating “Generalplan Ost” remains a dark chapter. The university acknowledges this and actively works to process this history. The Second World War resulted in massive damage. Buildings were destroyed. Valuable livestock perished. Many academics and students were killed. The agricultural library lost approximately 80 percent of its valuable books and journals in a bombing raid.
After the war the institute’s work continued albeit with profound changes. The division of Berlin led to a split in the faculty. Institutes in West Berlin became independent from the Humboldt University. Eventually in 1951 these institutes formed a new faculty. This established a nearly 40-year separate development of agricultural education in East and West Berlin. The Department for Agrarökonomie endured various reorganizations in the decades that followed.
The fall of the Berlin Wall allowed for reunification. The Department for Agrarökonomie once again became part of a unified agricultural science faculty. This marked a significant step toward regaining the prestigious traditions of the original institute. Today the Department for Agrarökonomie is a thriving part of the Albrecht Daniel Thaer-Institut. It continues its significant contribution to agricultural research and education in Germany. It offers Bachelor and Master’s degree programs in agricultural economics. These are internationally recognized.