Agrotek Arena inaugurated at Moldovan Technical University - first centre of excellence in field of technologies, innovations in agriculture

Chisinau, 24 October /MOLDPRES/ - Agrotek Arena – a centre of excellence set to modernize the agricultural industry – was inaugurated at the Moldovan Technical University (UTM) today. The institution’s goal is to optimize the way agriculture is practiced, reducing the impact on the environment and creating a competitive and sustainable agriculture.     

The centre of excellence is on the area of UTM, at the Faculty of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, on an open ground, where the newest technologies used in agriculture were set. The Arena opens new opportunities of cooperation and development for students, teachers, farmers and companies of digital technologies, thus promoting the transfer of knowledge between the academic environment and industry.     

Placed on an area of 1.3 hectares, innovating digital technologies will be tested and validated in this ‘’laboratory of agriculture’s digitalization’’: last generation weather stations, sensors for monitoring the soil, climate, humidity and other essential factors for agriculture, such as agricultural robots and intelligent irrigation systems. Also, a greenhouse of 1,032 square metres will host seven modern technologies of vegetables’ cultivation.    

„I am happy very much that there are projects of this kind, that there is perspective for the development of agriculture in Moldova and the Education and Research Ministry will continue backing the higher education and investing in the endowment of universities with equipment and technologies. In this respect, about 800 million lei is to be turned to account till 2025,’’ Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun said.  

UTM Rector Viorel Bostan said that this project created a dynamic ecosystem, in which the providers of digital technologies, farmers, students and teachers cooperate to promote the exchange of experience and knowledge, in order to improve the productivity, efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. ‘’Agrotek Arena is more than just a mere platform – it is an innovating environment which facilitates the cooperation between the academic environment and industry. This contributes to the sustainable development of the society, economy and education, laying the foundation for a close integration between the higher education and industry,’’ Viorel Bostan said.          

Agrotek Arena is an innovating initiative developed by UTM, in partnership with the Agency of Development and Modernization of Agriculture and the Future Technologies Activity in Moldova Project, financed by USAID, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

Photo: UTM