Fruit research and breeding in new premises
Ceremony of opening a new seat of the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology has taken place on March 26th in Holovousy. In nearly two years, five buildings have risen at open space near the chateau in Holovousy – main building with laboratories, research greenhouse, two buildings with garages for agricultural technology, storage of packaging materials and refrigerated fruit storage. The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the investor, Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Holovousy Ltd., and of the JV of contractors aptly named “APPLE” consisting of the construction companies HOCHTIEF CZ a. s. and BAK stavební společnost.
Objective of the project was construction of a research and development centre of applied research for the fields of pomology and nursery in agricultural production. The institute will be used as a specialized research facility housing laboratories and studies, plant material preparatory rooms and facilities necessary for the research. The premises have been expanded also by a greenhouse with the required technology, garages for agricultural technology and a new storage of packaging materials. Within the construction, the fruit storage has been reconstructed too. The modern centre will accommodate the needs of fruit growers in the Czech Republic and is to introduce new know-how in the pomological practice. It will also ensure application of the obtained results in the education system, consultancy and expertise in the area in question. That is to provide for a comprehensive research in the field of pomology in accordance with trends in the European countries most advanced in pomology.
“I would like to mention that efforts of several generations of scientists in Holovousy who were in the past repeatedly trying to build a new pomological research centre have today been accomplished,” informed the attendees representative of the Research and Breeding Institute of Pomology Jaroslav Vácha.
The new building will follow up on a tradition of more than sixty-two years in research of fruit crops in an important fruit-growing region of the Eastern Bohemia. The main activity of the Research and Breeding Institute is both basic and applied research, in particular for large scale fruit growers. Within training programmes, it provides consultancy also to orchardists, by which it helps to enhance qualification and competitiveness. Further, it offers a range of services in the area of diagnostics of plant diseases and plant protection. In connection with moving to the new buildings, it is considered that the portfolio of services would be extended, i.e. by programmes for further training, retraining and consultancy.
“I am glad that the work of our employees could support development of pomology that has a long-standing tradition in this region. For me it is a sign that this branch is still regarded an important part of our national economy,” added representative of leader of the joint venture Ing. Vilém Tvrdík from HOCHTIEF CZ.
The project of a value of ca. CZK 567 mil., which offers jobs to graduates in the area of natural sciences and agriculture, was subsidized from the programme Research and Development for Innovations. The subsidy is covered in 85% from the EU resources and in 15% from resources of the government budget of the Czech Republic.