Czech Republic - Czech Highlands & South Moravia
A high-level study of specific regional economic, environmental and technical parameters of the Represented Regions
Geographic description of the region
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country situated in the western part of Eastern Europe. The Czech Republic is the 21st largest country in Europe, with a total area of 78,864 square kilometres. It is low-lying, with an average elevation of 433 metres above sea level. The highest mountain peak is Sněžka, which reaches 1,602 metres. The country has no access to the open sea and is bordered directly by four neighbouring countries: Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia.
Vysočina Region – Czech Highlands
The Vysočina Region, often referred to as the Czech Highlands, is located in the central part of the Czech Republic, spanning the historical lands of Bohemia and Moravia. This region is notable for its picturesque rolling hills, extensive forests, and numerous artificial lakes and ponds. Covering an area of approximately 6,800 square kilometres, Czech Highlands has a population of around 517,960 people, 4.75% of the country’s total population.
The Region is distinguished by its rugged topography, elevated altitude, and sparse population density. The region is characterised by a moderately cool climate, with relatively high precipitation and moderate temperatures [12]. This climatic condition is conducive to agricultural activities, particularly the cultivation of crops such as cereals, potatoes, and fodder plants. However, the region’s cool and moist climate can occasionally impede the maturation of crops and the commencement of the harvest period, potentially resulting in delays. In terms of livestock, the climate is conducive to dairy farming and cattle breeding, due to the presence of extensive pasturelands and the suitability of conditions for the growth of fodder crops. The forestry sector in Vysočina benefits from these conditions, with a significant portion of the region covered by forests, predominantly spruce and pine. These climatic conditions facilitate robust forest growth, yet they also present challenges, such as an increased susceptibility to pests and diseases during wetter periods [6].
South Moravia
South Moravia, located in the southeastern part of the Czech Republic, is renowned for its fertile landscapes and extensive vineyards Covering about 7,188 square kilometres, it is one of the most important agricultural regions in the country, particularly known for wine production. The South Moravia Region has a population of 1,226,749 people, 11.25% of the country’s population, with the capital city being Brno, the second-largest city in the Czech Republic with 10,900,55 people [6].
In comparison to other regions of the Czech Republic, South Moravia is characterised by a warmer and drier climate, which has resulted in the region becoming one of the most agriculturally productive areas in the country. The region’s climate is conducive to viticulture, with extensive vineyards producing high-quality wines. Furthermore, crops such as cereals, sunflowers, and vegetables flourish in this climate. The warmer temperatures and longer growing seasons have a beneficial effect on crop yields and quality. The region is also conducive to livestock farming, with cattle and pig farming being particularly well-suited to the environment, which offers an abundance of feed crops. In forestry, the drier climate limits tree growth rates compared to more humid regions, but the region still maintains a substantial forested area with species such as oak and beech. However, climate change poses a risk of increased droughts, which can stress both agricultural and forestry activities, necessitating the adoption of climate-smart practices to sustain productivity.
The climatic conditions have a marked impact on the agricultural, livestock and forestry sectors in both Czech Highlands and South Moravia. This emphasises the necessity for tailored practices to optimise productivity and sustainability in each region [2].
Figure 1: Location of Czech Republic in Europe.
Agriculture and forestry sectors in the region
Agricultural sector
In the Czech Republic in 2023, the total area of agricultural land under cultivation was 3,534,000 hectares. Of this, 71% was arable land, 27% was permanent grassland, and the remaining 2% was distributed among hop fields, vineyards, and orchards. The cereal harvest was 3% lower than the previous year, which had been above average. Conversely, the rape crop yielded more oilseeds (+9%). In comparison to the previous year, the production of legumes, root crops and fodder crops was found to be lower, with decreases of 10%, 7% and 6%, respectively. Conversely, the yield of vegetables and hops exhibited positive growth, with increases of 15% and 57%, respectively. However, the harvest of fruit and vines experienced a notable decline, with reductions of 23% and 16% respectively [6].
The aggregate production of the items listed in the Figure 2 in the Czech Republic in 2023 was 28,040 tonnes. The aforementioned production figures relate to the following crops: cereals per grain, wheat, barley, legumes and protein crops for grain, potatoes, sugar beet, rape, and corn on the cob. The total production in the Highlands region is 2,834 tonnes, representing 10.1% of the total production. In the region of South Moravia, the total production is 3,255 tonnes, which represents 11.6% of the total production [6].
Livestock sector
The agricultural industry represents one of the most significant sectors of the Czech economy, with farms accounting for 44% of the country’s total land area. The country’s agricultural production is characterised by a high degree of diversification. The principal export products are milk, livestock, grains, sugar, and malt. Approximately 13.7% of the Czech Republic’s agricultural land is dedicated to organic farming practices.
Excluding poultry, the Czech Republic’s most prevalent livestock species in 2023 were cattle (38.6%) and pigs (38.4%), with the generated livestock units exceeding those of cows, sheep, and goats combined. Conversely, in the Highlands region, the largest census was that of pigs (47.6%), followed by cattle (35.3%). In the South Moravia region, cattle constituted 29.9% of the livestock, with a significantly larger proportion of pigs (52.5%). The Figure 3 presents a graphical representation of the highest percentage of livestock in the Czech Republic and the Czech Highlands and South Moravia regions. The Table 1 provides a comprehensive overview of the livestock in the Czech Republic, organised by species and in numerical terms.
Table 1. Chechia, Highlands and South Moravia region of livestock production in pcs, 1st Q 2024 [6].
Livestock | Czech Republic | Highlands region | South Moravian region |
Cattle | 1,369,593 | 218,932 | 65,687 |
Pigs | 1,362,275 | 295,214 | 115,408 |
Cows | 568,472 | 89,365 | 26,016 |
Sheep | 179,158 | 12,803 | 8,452 |
Horses | 37,087 | 1,812 | 1,977 |
Goats | 28,757 | 2,311 | 2,422 |
Poultry | 23,026,197 | 462,346 | 3,603,768 |
In the Czech Republic, the total quantity of meat produced in slaughterhouses during the initial three-month period of 2024 was 109,381 tonnes, representing an 0.8% increase in comparison to the same period in the previous year. This figure includes a 0.1% decrease in beef production, a 2.1% increase in pork production, and a 0.5% reduction in poultry production. The direct purchase of milk from producers demonstrated a 3.2% increase in comparison to the previous year. The total volume reached 338,391.9 litres, with 63,787.4 litres in the Czech Highlands region and 20,913.7 litres in the South Moravia region. [6]
Forestry sector
By the end of 2023, in the Czech Republic, forest land had been designated to an area of 2,681,764 hectares, with state forests accounting for 54% of this total.
The volume of wood harvested for processing in 2023 was 18.5 Mm³ of bark-free wood, representing 59.7% of the total volume harvested. Of this, 11.0 Mm³ was processed as part of random logging.
As in previous years, the majority of trees harvested were coniferous (89.8%), with deciduous trees accounting for 1.9 Mm³. Overall, spruce was the most prevalent species (74.4%), followed by pine (11.0%), beech (4.1%), and larch (3.3%).
Furthermore, the afforested area exhibited a decline in 2023, with a reduction of 4,747 hectares compared to the previous year, resulting in a total of 35,222 hectares. The majority of the forested area consisted of coniferous trees (52.7%). The most frequently used species in afforestation were spruce (31.8%), followed by beech (18.1%), oak (15.6%) and pine (8.1%).
The greatest extent of reforestation was observed in the Highlands Region, encompassing 8,044 hectares, which constituted 22.8% of the total afforestation in the Czech Republic.
The area of natural forest regeneration in the Czech Republic experienced a slight decline of 522 hectares, reaching a total of 9,566 hectares, representing a 5.2% reduction. Conifers were the most prevalent, comprising 55% of the total, while spruce (42.4%) was the most frequently utilised wood species. The most extensive natural forest regeneration also occurred in the Highlands Region (1,627 ha, representing 17% of the total natural forest regeneration in the Czech Republic) [6].
The South Moravian region encompassed 201.9 thousand hectares of forest land at the conclusion of 2023, representing 7.5% of the national total. In the preceding year, 1,364.4 thousand tonnes of wood were harvested from South Moravian forests. Of this quantity, 1,015.5 thousand m³ consisted of random mining, and thus excluded the wood without bark.
In the year 2023, the quantity of coniferous wood harvested was 1,024.6 thousand cubic metres. In terms of the composition of the harvested coniferous timber, spruce accounts for 52.8% and pine for 11.7%.
The extraction of deciduous trees in the South Moravian region exhibited a slight decline compared to the preceding period, reaching a volume of 339.8 thousand m³ of wood. This volume represents the largest output among the regions. The South Moravian Region is the primary producer of oak wood in the Czech Republic, with a yield of 116,000 m³ in the previous year.
In 2023, the volume of wood processed through random logging in the South Moravian Region was 1,015.5 thousand m³.
In the South Moravian Region, 446.1 thousand cubic metres of wood were processed due to insect pests in 2023, representing a 45.5% decrease compared to the previous year. As a consequence of natural disasters, the volume of wood obtained was 213.1 thousand m³, representing a year-on-year decrease of almost two fifths.
In 2023, a total of 4,464 hectares of land were afforested in the South Moravian Region. During the planting process, deciduous trees were selected as the preferred species, comprising 56.6% of the forested area. Additionally, 1,939 hectares of coniferous trees were planted in the South Moravian Region [6]. The Figure 5 below shows the relationship between hectares of forest covered and timber harvest in the regions studied.
Table 2: Detailed information in Czech Republic
Location | Forestry area |
Czech Republic | 2,681,764 hectares |
South Moravian region | Forestry area: 201.9 hectares |
Species | Spruce, pine, beech, larch. |
Agroindustry
According to data provided by the Czech Statistical Office, the agricultural sector in the Czech Republic comprised 22,839 registered enterprises in 2017. These enterprises are classified into three principal categories: large, medium, and small. The largest category, comprising 1,671 enterprises, accounted for 7.0% of the total, while the medium-sized category, which included 7,262 enterprises, represented 31.9%. The smallest category, which consisted of 13,806 enterprises, constituted 60.0% of the total. The data indicate that in the Highlands region, large enterprises constituted 9% of the total. In the context of the entire Czech Republic, the South Moravian Region is home to the largest number of small-sized agricultural enterprises, with 2,263 such enterprises managing 16% of all small farms in the country. The structure of land holdings of agricultural holdings operating in the decisive types of production and expressed in economic size classes confirms that traditional agricultural holdings of a universal multi-sectoral structure belonging to a mixed crop and livestock production group remain the dominant forms of production focus, characterised by a high concentration of land holdings. The second most significant category of enterprise is that of field production, which accounts for over 50% of the largest size group. The third most important type of production orientation in terms of land tenure is livestock farming of fodder [11].
According to the latest integrated survey of the Czech Statistical Office from 2020, the most recent reports indicate that, the least numerous groups in the Czech Republic are large agricultural enterprises, which make up 7% of all, almost 29,000 agricultural entities. However, these enterprises manage 63% of the total area of agricultural land and participate in livestock breeding from 77 % [16].
Economic Indicators
South Moravia positions itself as a significant economy in the Czech Republic with a gross domestic product (GDP) of over 33.6B€ (11% of the Czech Republic total). The GDP per capita is 27.73B€ [6]. Regarding its productive structure, in terms of gross value added (GVA), in 2023, the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector accounted for 794,100€ which represents 13.5% of the total. Accordingly, in the Highlands (with a population of only 518k) the 2022 GDP of the region is equal to 9.8B€, 3% of the Czech total, while the GDP per capita is at 19B€. In the same year, the GVA in the agriculture, forestry and fishing sector accounted for 8.7B€ [3].
South Moravia has an employment rate of 51.2%, below the Czech Republic total (81.7%). Agricultural activity is the main source of employment for 1.5% of the region’s population [6]. In the Highlands, the employment rate is at 57.7%, and 6.9% of the total employment is in the agricultural sector [3].
The employment generated by the bioeconomy amounts to roughly 383,900 people (2021), of which 35.8% is attributed to agriculture, and 5.7% to the forestry sector. In agriculture and forestry, the number of people employed by these bioeconomy sectors has decreased by 1.9% and 0.7% respectively in the last five years. The agricultural GVA accounts for 31.5% of the total bioeconomy GVA at 3.67B€ (in 2021) and presented an increase of 22.6% in the span of 5 years (2017-2021). In terms of sectoral turnover, the sector contributes 9.97B€, 23.5% of the total bioeconomy turnover (2021) with an increase of 26.4% in 5 years. In the forestry sector, the GVA accounts for 6% of the total bioeconomy sector at 705.7M€ (2021), with a decrease of 27.4% between the years 2017 and 2021. Despite that, the forestry turnover in these 5 years has increased by 22.7% with 2.43B€, 5.7% of the total bioeconomy turnover in 2021 [8].
Table 3. Economic indicators by region/country [3].
Region/Country | Population (M hab) | GDP (kM€) | GDP per capita (k€) | GVA (kM€) Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing | Employment rate (%) | Employment by sector (%) Agriculture, forestry, and fishing |
South Moravian, Czech Republic (2023) | 1.22 | 33.6 | 27.73 | 0.794 | 51.2 | 1.5 |
Vysočina Region/ Highlands, Czech Republic (2022) | 518,000.00 | 9.833 | 19.306 | 8.678 | 57.7 | 6.9 |
Czech Republic (2023) | 10.83 | 305.97 | 28.39 | 5.88 | 81.7 | 2.9 |
Bioeconomy regulatory framework
The Czech Republic has yet to establish a dedicated regulatory framework for the bioeconomy and bio-based economies. Currently, any relevant regulations are implemented in accordance with the EC directives, and they are aligned with the existing legislation issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the CTIA (Czech Trade Inspection Authority) [3], [14].
The State Environmental Policy of the Czech Republic (SEP) outlines a strategy for the effective implementation of environmental protection measures in the Czech Republic up to 2020. The primary objective is to guarantee a healthy and favourable environment for Czech citizens, to make a substantial contribution to the efficient utilisation of all resources and to minimise the detrimental effects of human activities on the environment, including transboundary impacts. This will facilitate an improvement in the quality of life in Europe and worldwide. The SEP is focused on the areas of the conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources, climate protection and improvements to air quality, the protection and preservation of nature and landscapes, and the creation of a safe environment [3],[4].
In formulating the State Environmental Policy of the Czech Republic, the following fundamental principles have been considered: firstly, environmental policy integration ensures that environmental considerations are incorporated into all sectors of policymaking for cohesive and sustainable development. The prevention principle emphasises the implementation of initiative-taking measures with the objective of averting environmental damage before it occurs. In contrast, the precautionary principle suggests the adoption of precautionary actions in situations of scientific uncertainty, with the aim of preventing potential harm. The “polluter pays” principle stipulates that those who generate pollution are responsible for bearing the costs associated with its management, thereby ensuring the prevention of potential damage. The principle of cost-effectiveness is concerned with achieving environmental objectives in a manner that is both efficient and economical, with the objective of ensuring the optimal allocation of resources. An increase in public awareness leads to a greater demand for more robust environmental protection and sustainable practices. Ultimately, the principle of international responsibility emphasises the necessity for collaborative and concerted action among nations to address global environmental challenges [3],[4].
Biomass resource availability
Agricultural biomass
The agricultural sector is traditionally noteworthy in the Czech Republic. The most important crops in the country are cereals, green harvested crops (maize and other forage crops), sugar and starchy crops and oil crops, e.g. rape, while permanent crops cover a relatively small percentage of the cropping area. Cereal grains are the main exported biomass of the country, whereas fruits and vegetables are the main imported commodities. Tertiary residues mainly in the form of food waste and human waste are also relevant with an annual production of around 0.8 Mtonnes of food waste and 0.219 Mtonnes of human waste (mainly in the form of sludge).
A significant percentage of the produced biomass is directed towards the livestock sector, either as feed or as animal bedding, which is estimated based on the number of recorded livestock and/or the stabling practices. The main source of feed are grains, the consumption of which is based on the animal food production and feed conversion ratios.
Currently, less than 1 Mtonnes of agricultural biomass is used in combustion or biofuel production. The biofuel production consumes around 650 Ktonnes of biomass, mainly rapeseed and sugar beets.
The overall technical use of straw is estimated at a maximum of 200 ktonnes. There are two major incineration plants of straw in the Czech Republic, one in Kutná Hora consuming around 70 ktonnes of straw annually and one in Jindřichův Hradec with similar supply. Annually, small straw pellet mills are estimated to consume around 20 ktonnes of biomass, and an estimation of maximum 10 ktonnes of straw is annually valorised for insulation or the production of construction materials [12].
Livestock biomass
The yearly production of cattle in the Czech Republic is relatively steady. However, there is a relative decline of pork meat production in the span of the last decade, from roughly 234 tonnes in 2013 to 198 tonnes in 2023. In contrast, the poultry production is more unsteady, with an increase from 2013 until 2022 with 261 tonnes, when the 2023 production was only 168 tonnes.
In the years between 2005 and 2013 the consumption of livestock manure was declining. However, in the last few years, the utilisation of livestock by-products has been widespread in farming practices. In 2023 the Czech Republic consumed a little over 2 tonnes per ha of utilised agricultural area of organic fertilisers (and only 109 kg of mineral fertilisers), continuing a steady yearly increase compared to 2018 where 1.6 tonnes per ha was consumed [6].
Agro-industrial biomass
The basic resources of the food-processing industry are domestic agricultural products, forest, and water management products, and imported raw materials. Organic crop materials are less than 1% of commercial market products, with a lack of harvesting and processing equipment being a deterrent of investing in this market. The bulk of the agro-industry is concentrated in the fertile lowland areas of the Czech Republic, including South Moravia where most vineyards are found. The food production industry mainly consists of foodstuff or beverage production, with the second having a prominent place in the country’s tradition [12].
Table 4. Key Pillars of Processing Industry [12].
Foodstuff Production | Production of Beverages |
Processing meat and meat products | Beer making |
Processing fruit and vegetables | Wine making |
Dairy products | Liquor making |
Production of flour and starch products | Production of mineral water and soft beverages |
Forestry biomass
In the Czech Republic, forestry is a deeply anchored tradition, with a total forest area of 2.7M ha in 2023, of which 66% responds to coniferous and 29% of non- coniferous tree species [15], making forestry an important landscape and ecosystem element. However, in recent years the sector has been facing challenges brought by the effects of climate change and an unbalanced forestry cover formation, due to a bark beetle infestation.
In forestry, biomass is predominantly available in the form of stemwood, primary, and secondary residues. However, in terms of bioenergy and bio-material potential, stemwood’s conversion to energy is not particularly efficient and therefore not the preferable use.
Timber forests in the Czech Republic account for 26Mha of forest land. Timber forests in the Czech Republic account for 2.6M ha of forest land. However, the Czech Republic has a lower relative timber consumption, due to insufficient timber-processing capacities and low customer demand, resulting in a prevalence of export of raw wood.
The secondary by-products of forestry biomass mainly refer to wood processing industrial residues such as sawdust, bark and black liquor. Their availability and exploitation depend completely on the development of timber and paper industries, while pellet production is largely contained within the sawmill industry [12].
Management and logistics of biomass resources
The difficulties in the logistics of biomass valorisation and its line of production are greatly described by the forestry industry due to the inherent difficulties caused by the rigidity and mass of the products. As in most cases, the transport of the biomass is one of the biggest undertakings, with the load on the local and municipal roads being one of the leading factors of damage and after increase of danger on commonly used roads. After transport, long-term storage of biomass requires vast spaces and is usually preceded by the need to dry or change the product. Apart from spatial challenges, there is a great gap between the available on- site technologies and workforce and the actual needs of the industry, which will make the biomass production process easier, safer, and more profitable.
In forestry, forest maintenance and all forest care up to timber logging fall under the Ministry of Agriculture. Related activities from transport to later processing of biomass fall under the administration of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, while administration of employment and relations between employees and employers are under the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Following the same example, many biomasses related industries fall under the authority of different ministries, regional authorities, or private organisations, since their exploits are bordering with many different jurisdictions. Clear borders of responsibilities and a cohesive approach in management and expectations are key for the survival, advancement, promotion, and evolution of biomass valorisation in the Czech Republic [12].
Bio-products target market
Conversion of biomass into secondary products which are in demand by either business or customers, are a key step in the value chain of the bioeconomy. The Czech Republic has a long history of success during the age of industrial manufacturing, which acts as an advantage in both the existing but also for the potential target markets.
Table 5 below shows some chosen examples of the above-mentioned target industries. For the full list of the relevant Bioeconomy Stakeholders in the Czech Republic, refer to the National Bioeconomy Dossier CZ, CELEBio [5].
Table 5. Examples of Key Actors of Biomass Target Markets [5].
Actor | Market |
Agriculture – Hemp specialisation | |
Agriculture research | |
Agriculture – Hemp specialisation | |
Agriculture – food information | |
Agriculture – organic fertiliser | |
Agriculture – ground covering | |
Forest Management Institute | |
Forest Management | |
Forestry Certification | |
Environment – circular economy | |
Waste reuse | |
Waste reuse | |
Housing construction | |
Bio-based industry | |
Producer of bio-end products | |
Textiles |
Textiles
The textile industry has been prominent in the Czech Republic since the 20th Century. The focus is now on technical textiles, which are used in the automobile industry, agriculture, healthcare and aviation, which could present an opportunity for bio-based textiles. Some companies are using biological textile waste as a source for material to be re-used in construction or insulation. Included in the value chain is sourcing, waste process, and finishing the materials sourced from wool, hemp or flax fibre, cellulose, and used rugs or other textiles.
Biotechnology
The biotechnology sector has seen many achievements regarding nanotechnology, pure biotechnology, and human healthcare. Nanotechnology is a promising Czech inventory sector, with the bright examples of expanding from the traditional chemical structures to biological materials, producing a range of organic and inorganic nanofibers, the conversion of waste frying oils into bacterial bioplastics called polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), immune cell therapies for treatment of cancers, veterinary products, and molecular biology reagent manufacturing.
Bioplastics
Bioplastics manufacturing is a popular demand worldwide and there are a number of plastics producers in the Czech Republic. With society growing more environmentally conscious, and the regional and national authorities being all the more interested in environmental protection, new entrants to this market will see an increase in output and eventual competition for this sector.
Furniture
With the significant importance of forestry in the Czech Republic, the majority of the wood biomass is primarily used in the furniture making industry or as lumber for construction, with a small amount used to produce heating pellets. Using wood for heating should be moderated, as the air quality levels due to this practice in the Czech Republic is below the acceptable limits. There is the possibility of creative uses for wood in many areas, like novel packaging of consumer goods.
Apart from the existing biomass valorisation options, there are opportunities to investigate and optimise existing or new ways to advance the industry, including solid biomass combustion with wood waste, pyrolysis to convert biomass into syngas and biochar, or hydrolysis to sugars. Many of these processes would need investment into infrastructure and recruitment of experts. The sugar industry used to be prominent in the Czech Republic, however nowadays sugar hydrolysis is taking place primarily abroad. The bark beetle infestation gives the opportunity to repurpose the biomass into the production of biochar, which can also be used locally to help in water retention and increase nutrient content in agricultural fields. The use of manure as a fertilising agent is even more popular but is managed in-farm. The introduction of anaerobic “closed loop” digesters would allow for a utilisation of manure as an added source of biogas [5].
R&D system associated with biomass valorization
The Czech Republic has an active participation of Research Institutes and SMEs specialising in agriculture research under the scope of bioeconomy. There are a number of Associations of like-ventured SMEs and organisations, creating a valuable network of collaboration between specialists.
The Fodder Research Institute in Troubsko (VUPT) is counting 30 years specialising in research in the fields of agriculture, food industry, and biotechnology. They lead a number of international projects of applied research and innovation transfer in the field of bioeconomy with the support of their subsidiaries, Agricultural Research (ZVT) and Agrolab (AGL). Apart from the international projects, VUPT is also active in national bioeconomy related projects, many of which are focusing on biomass valorisation or biofuel production. The currently running projects can be found in Table 6 [VUPT].
Table 6. Current National Bioeconomy Projects.
Project Name | Description |
Research and development of biofuels from agricultural residues (1/2024-12/2025) | Development of fuel from agricultural waste from the processing and preparation of selected seeds and food products |
Utilisation of silage made from “beet cuttings and grain straw” in a critical shortage of corn silage. (7/2024-6/2028) | Verifying the possibility of using silage made from “beet cuttings and grain straw” for the needs of keeping biogas production or the operation of biogas stations (BPS) in case of a shortage of key corn biomass affected by extreme weather. |
The importance of the lignocellulosic complex from intercrop biomass for improving the soil environment (1/2021-12/2025) | Assessing the quality of plant biomass entering the soil when using the intercropping system as a source of organic matter to support soil processes reflected in soil fertility. |
Analysis and adjustments of compost application schemes aimed at strengthening the soil protection system within the framework of stabilising production capacity. (1/2022-12/2024) | Supporting the effect and quality of stable organic matter in the form of compost, to find the key parameters and behaviour of compost when it is applied to the soil surface without incorporation in terms of emissions, safety, and health risk with the aim of reducing the costs of compost application. |
VUPT is also a member of the Association of Research Organisations (AVO), the only organisation representing the R&D sector in private companies (that include private research organisations and also business units). There are several industry sectors represented in AVO, like Agriculture, Engineering, IT, Chemistry, and Medicine. AVO is the Czech research capacities, currently involving roughly 75 institutions and 7800 experts involved in R&D. They take part in projects focused on the financial support and commercialisation of research, as well as the development results [1].
Support and financing policies
In the Czech Republic, projects and initiatives related to bioeconomy can receive National or European funding. At this time, the Ministry of Agriculture supports R&D projects under the COUNTRY Program: Ministry of Agriculture Applied Research Program 2017-2025 (Resolution of the Government of the Czech Republic No. 313 of April 11, 2016). The COUNTRY II: Program to support applied research of the Ministry of Agriculture for the period 2024–2032, was approved by Resolution No. 83 of the Government of the Czech Republic dated February 1, 2023.
The national subsidies for research and development projects financed from special-purpose funds of the Ministry of Agriculture have been provided by the National Agency for Agricultural Research (NAZV) since 1994. The Agency ensures the complete preparation and announcement of departmental research programs of the Ministry, the announcement and course of public tenders and the later administration of funded projects in the field of agricultural, food, forestry, and water management research. NAZV employees continuously conduct on-site inspections of recipients of targeted R&D support following Act No. 320/2001 Coll., on financial control in public administration and the amendment of certain laws. NAZV also organises information seminars for applicants in public tenders, for evaluators of project proposals and information seminars, and project managers [National Agency for Agricultural Research (NAZV)][13].
Apart from the National Agency for Agricultural Research, there is a number of other funding sources in the Czech Republic for research- related activities, such as:
- The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA ČR)
- The Czech Science Foundation (GA ČR)
- Agency for the Czech Republic health research (AZV ČR)
- W. Fulbright Commission
- The National Agency for European Educational Programmes (NAEP)
- The Centre for International Cooperation in Education (DZS)
Also important to note is The International Visegrad Fund, a donor organisation established in 2000 by the governments of the Visegrad Group countries– Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, that supports regional co-operations through Grants, Scholarships and Artists Residencies. The aim is to help the region progress in seven principal areas of Culture, Education, Innovation, Democratic Values, Public Policy, Environment and Tourism, and Social Development. [Euraxess]
Operational groups characterization
A review of the EIP-AGRI project database from the EU CAP network in Europe reveals that only eight Operational Groups were funded between 2015 and 2023 in the Czech Republic, with only one of them being relevant to BBTs. This project was implemented in the South Moravia region, with a total budget of 192,007€ [17]. For the purposes of this analysis, 10 projects have been selected for investigation, spanning the period from 2017 to 2023. These projects are national projects approved by the Czech Republic government and funded either entirely by the state budget or co-funded with non-public local and foreign sources. The projects have been classified according to their operational periods, which range from 24 to 60 months. The total budget for all of the projects, inclusive of the cost of coordination, amounts to 5,434,190€ [15].
The Figure 6 below illustrates the BBT operational expenditure for each project during its respective operational period. The mean cost per project is 550,000€, with the maximum and smallest funded amounts being 1,178,606€ and 234,775€, respectively.
Bio-based Technologies (BBT) developed by OGs
This section provides a more detailed examination of the technological aspects associated with the projects found in the aforementioned area that have been developed under the BBT framework, as previously discussed.
The first step is to analyse the type of biomass that is being used. In order to conduct this analysis, ten regional projects that have developed BBTs were considered. The data shows that nine of the projects (90%) utilised crop residues and perennial plants. The second most prevalent approach was the use of designer crops for optimised biomass content, with seven projects employing this strategy. Thirdly, five projects employed biorefineries. In conclusion, the fourth and final category, which was represented by three projects and one project respectively, involved the utilisation of waste or recycled materials in conjunction with microbial-assisted processing.
In addition, the BBTs developed by the projects were examined to determine their anticipated outcomes in relation to the ultimate user. It was determined that 80% of the projects were used by farmers, while 50% were employed by either foresters, processors, or retailers. The consumers, as the final users, accounted for a further three projects. The remaining two categories, including two and one projects, respectively, were advisors and other final users [15].
In terms of technological maturity, information is available for all 10 projects. Moreover, nearly half of the technologies developed have reached the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6, which signifies a technology that has been demonstrated in a relevant environment. In the case of key enabling technologies, this refers to an industrial-relevant environment.
Figure 9: TRLs for each project developed BBTs. (Source:Starfos)[15].
As expressed in the present report, the Czech Republic is the smallest country in the European Union in terms of the number of OGs.
In terms of available funding and R&D system associated with biomass valorisation, we have highlighted the different programmes available at various levels (European, national, and regional), both public and private.
Therefore, considering the geographical, regulatory and technical point of view, and looking at the amount of biomass availability as well as knowledge available in the region, we can conclude that the Czech Republic has a yellow light in terms of BBTs implementation.
