Serbian Agricultural Professionals Explore Széchenyi István University’s Digital Agriculture Developments

The developments implemented in recent years at the Albert Kázmér Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences at Széchenyi István University have strengthened the conditions for both agricultural research and practice-oriented education. The University’s modern infrastructure and wide-ranging professional activities are also attracting international interest, creating opportunities for knowledge sharing and exchange of experience with experts from abroad.

As part of these efforts, a delegation of nearly 40 people recently visited the Faculty from Kragujevac, Serbia. The group primarily consisted of farmers involved in livestock farming and arable crop production, as well as fruit growers and specialists in agriculture and rural development from the local municipality. The study visit aimed to introduce the guests to the University’s research activities, practical solutions supporting agricultural production and the latest agricultural technologies.

The guests first gained insight into the activities of the Smart Farm, which operates as Széchenyi István University’s innovation park for agriculture and the food industry. They learned about crop production research and field trials, soil and nutrient management methods, as well as the agricultural activities of Uni Agro Food Kft., a company affiliated with the University.

The practical applications of agricultural automation were presented through a demonstration featuring autonomous ground vehicles and an automated Iseki tractor. The delegation also received information about livestock farming and animal nutrition research, as well as the laboratories supporting these activities.

Bálint Szüle, Head of the Mosonmagyaróvár Innovation Park and Business Development and Technology Manager at the Centre for Higher Education and Industrial Cooperation (FIEK) and Uni Inno Zrt., emphasised that the main aim of the visit was to demonstrate the connection between research and practical farming.

“The combined expertise of our colleagues working in crop production, soil and nutrient management, livestock farming, animal nutrition and automation is what gives the professional work carried out here its true value,” he explained.

He added that the Innovation Park provides an opportunity to present research results and experimental facilities first-hand, while FIEK and Uni Inno Zrt. support the establishment of business relationships and the practical exploitation of developments.

“Visits like this also give us an opportunity to learn from farmers. Their questions and experiences help us better understand what kinds of solutions they need. I hope that this meeting will provide a basis for continuing the professional dialogue with our colleagues from Kragujevac and that, over time, we will identify opportunities for concrete cooperation,” he added.

The professional programme continued at the Smart Garden, which is connected to the University’s food science research activities. The visitors learned about the cultivation and processing methods used there, as well as the herbs grown with the help of modern technologies.

During the visit, Marija Milojevic, an agricultural engineer at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Kragujevac City Administration, explained that the delegation had travelled to Hungary to exchange professional experience and learn about new agricultural solutions. They had heard about the Smart Farm through a recommendation from their travel organiser, and the presentations in Mosonmagyaróvár exceeded their expectations.

She particularly appreciated the diversity of the University’s research activities, the expertise and openness of its staff, and the agricultural land, machinery and research infrastructure available. In line with her own professional interests, she was especially impressed by the livestock farming and animal nutrition research, while she also sees significant potential for further development at the Smart Garden.

At the end of the meeting, the Serbian representative invited the University’s colleagues to visit Kragujevac, where the agricultural fair traditionally held in September could provide an excellent opportunity to continue the professional dialogue.

The visit demonstrates how university research, modern technological solutions and the exchange of practical agricultural experience can help build valuable professional relationships at an international level.