The competition where the shapers of the future of agriculture compete

The competition, which began in October this year with the participation of about 50 teams (3-4 people), requires competitors to find creative solutions to simulated challenges that are similar to those that actors in agriculture have to deal with in reality today. The competition took place over five weeks in virtual space. At the beginning of each round, the organizers provided the team members with the parameters of an agricultural company, making their production data available. In addition to all this, they formulated the agricultural or management-related problem that the company would like to solve. The competitors had to help the simulated company in this, using the most modern technologies, optimizing input procurement, developing the machinery, and making real management decisions. The top 10 teams, as assessed by the professional jury, automatically qualified for the AgroVIRTUS Academy held at the MATE Szent István Campus, where renowned experts and company managers provide training for the competitors who advance.

Talent development should be given priority

During the opening of the final, which was enriched with three-day workshops, Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, the rector of MATE, said that AgroVirtus is a competition that fits perfectly with the university’s basic philosophy that talent development should be given priority. He recalled that, accordingly, the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences has launched several programs in recent years that add value to the knowledge acquired on a daily basis. “Everyone is a winner in this competition, as they raise the everyday knowledge that can be acquired at the university to a level, and they are enriched with abilities and skills that in practice can only be acquired at various companies on the labor market. This gives them a competitive advantage over their peers,” he emphasized, adding that the additional knowledge they acquire during the competition is of enormous value. “Hungarian agriculture has excellent potential, but to exploit it, you need cutting-edge technological knowledge. In this regard, you will be the shapers of Hungarian agriculture,” said Dr. Csaba Gyuricza. The Agrovirtus Academy will conclude with the final, where the five best teams will qualify. The main prize is 1.5 million forints for the members of the best team.

MATE