As part of the international programme accompanying this year’s Země živitelka agricultural exhibition, a delegation from the U.S. state of Nebraska visited the Faculty of Agriculture and Technology of the University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice. The delegation came to the Czech Republic as part of a programme for international guests coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture of the Czech Republic.
Nebraska is one of the major agricultural states in the United States, so there was no shortage of topics of mutual interest to discuss. The delegation included Robert Evnen, Nebraska Secretary of State, Cindi Allen, Deputy Secretary of State, and Prof. Saleh Taghvaeian from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
The guests’ first stop was the Země živitelka 2026 international agricultural exhibition, where they also visited the University of South Bohemia's joint stand. They then moved to the university campus and visited FAT USB.
At the Faculty, the delegation toured the Department of Technology and Cybernetics and the Department of Food Biotechnologies and Agricultural Product Quality. The guests learned about the research carried out in both departments, explored their laboratories and technical facilities, and discussed how research results can be applied directly in agricultural and food production practices.
The visit, however, was not only about touring the Faculty’s facilities. An important part of the programme was a discussion about the challenges currently facing agriculture in both the Czech Republic and the United States. Topics included modern agricultural technologies, water management, food security, and opportunities for closer links between research and practice.
Water management is one of Prof. Saleh Taghvaeian’s main areas of expertise. At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, his work focuses on irrigation, precision technologies, and the sustainable use of water resources in agriculture. Cindi Allen has extensive experience in international trade and global food security, while Robert Evnen, in his role as Secretary of State, also supports Nebraska’s international relations and its presentation abroad.
The meeting provided an opportunity not only to introduce the delegation to the activities and research carried out at FAT USB, but, above all, to discuss areas where future cooperation could develop. There are many topics of common interest – from modern technologies and sustainable resource management to food production, research, education, and the exchange of knowledge and experience.