SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation - 1.6. Water-conscious planting - Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation - 1.6. Water-conscious planting
Last modified: 21. November 2025
1.6. Water-conscious planting
As an agriculture-focused university, MATE is constantly working on how it can initiate and implement research that will enhance environment-conscious thinking, lifestyle and economic activity. As a result of climate change, the drought of recent years has posed a major challenge for agriculture, including water management and irrigation. Our university has research centres and groups that are continuously working on several projects to address arising challenges.
Research Centre for Irrigation and Water Management (ÖVKI)
The Research Centre for Irrigation and Water Management (ÖVKI) in Szarvas focuses on three strategic areas: agricultural water management, irrigation management, and rice research. In agricultural water management, the centre develops techniques to adapt to extreme hydrological events such as droughts and floods caused by climate change, and it advances excess water management through GIS-based hazard mapping. Remote sensing technologies, including unmanned aircraft systems, are applied to monitor the soil-water-plant system across agricultural areas.
In irrigation management, ÖVKI promotes water-saving and environmentally friendly technologies, including lysimeter studies to measure crop water and nutrient use, irrigation scheduling, modern sensor systems, agroforestry development, reuse of agricultural effluents, and the adaptation of modern irrigation methods. Their work aims to improve Hungarian irrigation practices and expand irrigated areas.
As the centre of Hungarian rice research and breeding, ÖVKI develops high-yielding, stress-tolerant rice varieties suitable for conventional, organic, and aerobic cultivation under temperate climates. Both conventional and biotechnological breeding methods are used, including doubled-haploid lines via androgenesis in cooperation with the Cereal Research Non-profit Co., Szeged. A rice gene bank of Hungarian and international varieties supports these efforts.
ÖVKI also operates a Demonstration and Training Centre for Irrigation Management, supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, to enhance the efficiency of Hungary’s irrigation sector. The center actively collaborates on national and international projects, with partnerships in the Philippines, Chile, Laos, and Thailand. Its main infrastructure includes the Rice Research Station, Lysimeter Station, Irrigation Research Station, and Radiological Research Station, and it maintains close cooperation with other MATE Institutes and departments across Szarvas and other campuses.
Research on soil-plant-water-atmosphere systems under field conditions
One of ÖVKI’s key projects focuses on the soil-plant-water-atmosphere system under field conditions, including irrigation, nutrient management, and crop breeding, conducted at the MATE ÖVKI Lysimeter Station. Understanding soil water and nutrient cycles, accurately determining crop water use and requirements, and evaluating the efficiency of different irrigation methods are essential for environmentally sustainable agricultural practices. The Lysimeter Station, equipped with over 320 lysimeters and advanced instrumentation, also provides a platform for testing and developing innovative methods and products.
A Proof-of-Concept grant supports the work of a MATE student addressing water reuse challenges in European continental aquaculture, including domestic pond farms. The project focuses on developing a novel fishing method that allows the harvesting of juvenile fish from ponds without draining the water and reduces bycatch in marine environments. The grant funding will enable the construction and testing of a functional prototype of the fishing device.
Also related tot he Institute of Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, a project entitled „AQUASERV - Research Services for the Blue Economy” enables MATE to participate in an international consortium dedicated to advancing sustainable aquaculture and fisheries research. Over its five-year duration, the project aims to unite, develop, and integrate research and innovation capacities—including facilities, equipment, and expertise—across Europe. By providing transnational and virtual access to research infrastructures, AQUASERV promotes scientific progress and supports the implementation of key EU strategies such as the Common Fisheries Policy, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Sustainable Blue Economy, and the European Green Deal. As an associated partner, MATE contributes through six distinct research infrastructures, offering advanced facilities for collaborative.
