In recent days (20–25 August), České Budějovice hosted the 52nd edition of the international Země živitelka agricultural fair. It is the most important agricultural trade fair of its kind in the Czech Republic, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
This year’s subtitle “Innovation in Every Field” highlights how technical, technological, breeding and crop-production innovations can transform the face of agricultural production and contribute to its long-term sustainable future. At the same time, new trends are not limited to new machinery, equipment and digitalisation, but above all represent a comprehensive and modern approach to soil, animals, plants, the landscape, water and people.
This year, the stand of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice was once again present at the fair. Alongside the Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters (FFPW USB), the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology (FAT USB) also took part.
At the stand, visitors could learn more about study opportunities at the University of South Bohemia, but they were also interested in research and asked questions related to fisheries and water protection. Topics included, for example, the specialised farming of African catfish, modern technology for rearing pike perch, anatomical differences between the signal crayfish and the noble crayfish, as well as aspects of modern trout farming in the Czech Republic and Europe. We also presented a sustainable method of producing sturgeon caviar without the need to kill broodstock fish, including the production of cosmetic creams made from sturgeon and rainbow trout roe.
Visitors could also sample a variety of fish specialities prepared by the team from the Processing Unit and Shop with Fish and Aquaculture Products of the Institute of Aquaculture and Protection of Waters at FFPW USB, led by Bohdan Kadlec. The menu included a fish burger, fish sausage in a bread roll, pike perch wraps, fish salads, carp pâtés and three types of soup.
FAT USB also presented its products and complemented the refreshment offer with Čtyrák beer, elderflower lemonade, honey and lamb sausages.
The professional accompanying programme also featured a lecture by our graduate Karel Procházka, who spoke on Thursday, 20 August, as part of the Smart Farming seminar on the topic The Future of Vegetable Cultivation in Soilless Systems. In his presentation, he introduced the technology behind hydroponic and aquaponic systems currently used for the modern cultivation of vegetables, particularly tomatoes, cucumbers and ginger. He focused on smart technologies, sensors, automation and plant nutrition. He discussed not only the advantages of these systems, but also their practical limitations and the conditions that determine the success and long-term sustainability of their operation.
Our booth was not only a place to meet visitors, but also a venue for a number of business meetings and personal encounters with various industry and academic partners. The deans of both participating faculties, Tomáš Policar and Petr Bartoš, together with the Rector of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Pavel Kozák, welcomed a number of prominent figures as well as Czech and international partners of the university.
On Friday, a delegation from the State of Nebraska visited our stand, including representatives of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Representatives of the University of South Bohemia discussed issues related to the quality of open waters, ichthyofaunal diversity and aquaculture, animal and plant health, food production, and opportunities for technology transfer in these areas.
On Saturday, our stand was visited by Minister of Agriculture Martin Šebestyán and Minister of the Environment Igor Červený, who briefly spoke with the Rector and the Dean of FAT USB about various innovations used in agriculture, water protection and the conservation of natural resources.
A particularly distinguished guest at the USB stand was President of the Czech Republic Petr Pavel, who included a visit to our stand in his programme at Země živitelka on Monday, 24 August 2026. During his meeting with the Rector and the Deans of FFPW USB and FAT USB, he accepted an invitation to visit the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. We therefore hope to welcome him at our university in the near future.
Among the other guests who visited our stand to discuss important topics related to agriculture, fisheries and the protection of natural resources were, for example, former ministers Petr Hladík and Marek Výborný, as well as Dagmar Škodová Parmová, Mayor of České Budějovice.
We would like to thank all the organisers who contributed to the construction and smooth operation of the USB booth. Special thanks go to our FFPW USB colleague Václav Nebeský for coordinating all activities on behalf of FFPW USB, and to all the visitors who stopped by our stand.
We are already looking forward to seeing you again next year at the 53rd edition of the fair, which will take place in České Budějovice from 26–31 August 2027.
