SDG 2 - Zero Hunger - 3.2. Events for farmers and food producers - Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger
SDG 2 - Zero Hunger - 3.2. Events for farmers and food producers
Last modified: 21. November 2025
3.2. Events for farmers and food producers
Horticultural days and fairs
Each semester MATE hosts a variety of fairs and events that bring producers and consumers together for direct interaction. These events take place at MATE’s Horticultural Training Facility or on the Buda Campus as part of the spring and autumn Garden Exhibitions.
MATE’s Budai Campus hosted the Autumn Horticultural Days from October 11 to 13, 2024, an event that offered something for both plant enthusiasts and visitors interested in diverse programs and exhibitions. Horticultural companies showcased their products, including annual flower seedlings, flower bulbs, perennial ornamental plants, cacti, orchids, and chrysanthemums. Culinary experiences were also featured, with visitors able to taste and purchase local honey, jams, and other delicacies.
From September 27 to 29, 2024, the Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) and Magyar Mezőgazdaság Ltd., in partnership with the Hungarian Livestock Association, hosted the Kaposvár Animal Husbandry (KÁN) University Days at the Kaposvár Campus and the Pannon Equestrian Academy. The event offered interactive programs for livestock professionals, the general public, families, and high school students, highlighting livestock breeding, agricultural higher education, and MATE’s main research and training areas. Visitors could attend professional conferences, including rabbit breeding, fisheries, precision livestock farming, horse breeding, and climate change in crop production, as well as explore regenerative agriculture practices. The exhibition featured breed presentations, interactive demonstrations, and a new student breeding animal preparation competition in cooperation with the Holstein-Friesian Breeders’ Association. Family-oriented activities included craft workshops, a small animal petting zoo, pony rides, traditional demonstrations, equestrian shows, and the Local Flavours Street showcasing regional producers. The event also hosted the traveling exhibition on the legendary racehorse Kincsem, celebrating Hungary’s horse breeding and racing heritage, alongside culinary highlights such as the National Fish Cooking Competition and the Somogy County Hunting Day.
The XXXI. Alföldi Animal Husbandry & Farmer Days took place from May 2–4, 2024, at the Hód‑Mezőgazda Exhibition Center in Hódmezővásárhely, organized by Hód‑Mezőgazda Zrt. in cooperation with the Hungarian Livestock Association. The event featured public show judging, breeders’ auctions, and the presentation of eight livestock sectors—horses, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, poultry, ornamental poultry, and rabbits—as well as fishery and hunting. It also brought together a comprehensive industry presence, including experts from reproduction biology, livestock health, housing technology, and feed production, along with suppliers of seeds, fertilizers, machinery, and other technologies. Beyond professional content, the program offered family-friendly activities.
Researchers of MATE’s Institute of Agronomy, conduct cutting‑edge research on vertical farms, focusing particularly on how artificial lighting affects plant growth in indoor farming systems. He is notably involved in studies to characterize and optimize the spatial distribution of photon irradiance (i.e., light intensity and spectrum) in vertical farming towers to maximize energy efficiency and plant productivity. In his work, he highlights the relevance of tightly controlled environmental parameters — such as light spectrum, temperature, humidity, and nutrient supply — to reliably produce high‑quality crops like strawberries year-round under fully artificial conditions.
In connection with this, workshops are organized every year. On November 7, 2024, the Hungarian Electrotechnical Association – Lighting Technology Society hosted the 2nd AgroLight Forum. Held at MATE’s Buda Campus, the event featured presentations exploring the relationship between light and its applications in plant cultivation, livestock production, and the food industry.
From December 11 to 12, 2024, MATE hosted one of the three European hubs of the E³UDRES² Hackathon on its Buda Campus under the theme “One World – One Protein – One Soil”, focusing on food sustainability and soil health. Around 40 students from diverse backgrounds, including food engineering, agriculture, and communication, participated in six teams, tackling real-world challenges related to protein consumption, its misconceptions, and sustainable agricultural practices. The two-day event included roundtable discussions, mentoring from industry experts, and a collaborative environment to generate innovative ideas for more sustainable food systems.
