China-Hungary Agricultural Seed Technology Cooperation Forum Successfully Held

On May 30, the China-Hungary Agricultural Seed Technology Cooperation and Exchange Forum was successfully held in Tianjin. The event was co-hosted by the Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the China–Central and Eastern Europe Science and Technology Exchange Association (Hungary) Tianjin Office. A Hungarian delegation led by Academician Dr. Márton Mesterházy from the Hungarian Academy of Sciences met with representatives from Tianjin’s agricultural research institutes and science organizations for in-depth exchanges.

During the event, Tianjin Agricultural University, a member of the Tianjin Agricultural Society, awarded Dr. Mesterházy the title of Visiting Professor.

The Mesterházy International Education, Research and Innovation Foundation and the China–Central and Eastern Europe Science and Technology Exchange Association signed Letters of Intent with Tianjin Agricultural University and the Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The cooperation will focus on seed research, talent training, and related areas.

Dr. Mesterházy shared the latest achievements of his team in plant pathology and breeding, particularly their work on fusarium-resistant breeding techniques and integrated solutions combining breeding and pesticide-based prevention. In an interview, he expressed optimism about the potential of agricultural development in China. He hopes to strengthen cooperation with Tianjin in cultivating crops such as corn, wheat, and rice, aiming to breed healthier grain varieties and promote two-way collaboration.

Shen Xin, Supervisor of the Tianjin Agricultural Society and Director of the Seed Industry Revitalization Committee, stated that Hungary has a strong agricultural foundation, with high yields and excellent quality in wheat, corn, and grapes. “Hungary has advanced agricultural technologies and strong capabilities in seed development,” he said. Shen also noted that this exchange offers a valuable opportunity to deepen joint efforts in crop breeding and technology promotion. Both sides aim to introduce more high-quality crop varieties to Belt and Road countries and expand their presence and influence in the global seed market.