The Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences (MATE) has begun construction of a large-scale demonstration farm and educational garden on its Szent István Campus in Gödöllő, designed to boost hands-on training in crop cultivation, horticulture, and livestock management while welcoming visitors to learn about sustainable farming.
Announced by Culture and Innovation Minister Dr. Balázs Hankó and MATE Rector Dr. Csaba Gyuricza, the five-hectare facility will include modern fields, irrigation systems, greenhouses, animal enclosures, and an interactive visitor centre that will also house the future Hungarian Agricultural Museum.
“This project is a milestone for Hungarian higher education and for our agriculture sector. It blends tradition with innovation and prepares our students for international-level challenges,” Dr. Hankó said during the launch ceremony.
Plans include special areas for demonstrating plant varieties and farming technologies, as well as paddocks for showcasing Hungarian breeds of cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. Visitors will also find a petting enclosure, scenic observation points, and a playground aimed at making the space family-friendly.
Dr. Gyuricza emphasised the broader impact: “Beyond student training, this is about fostering respect for rural values and sustainable practices across generations.”
In addition, the university will expand its dairy operations with a small artisanal cheese plant using milk from its own Jersey herd, and new educational spaces will feature exhibitions on Hungary’s farming heritage.
To symbolise the start of the development, Dr. Hankó and Dr. Gyuricza planted a tree and buried a time capsule on site. Construction will proceed in stages, reinforcing Hungary’s ambition to place its universities among the top 100 globally by 2030.
Source: MATE
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