The Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), a state-funded organization under the Ministry of Agriculture, is the Ministry's scientific advisory body and contributes to raising the scientific standards of research activities and education in the agricultural sector.
The Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences continues the activities of the Czechoslovak Academy of Agriculture, which was founded by the edict of the Ministry of Agriculture on 29 November 1924. Its role was to coordinate scientific activities in the agricultural sector, convey knowledge to practical effect, and train new experts. The House of Agricultural Enlightenment was established in Vinohrady, Prague, as the Academy's registered premises. Today, the building also houses institutions such as the State Veterinary Administration and the Library of Antonín Švehla.
The Academy's advisory role primarily consists in directing agricultural research, with an emphasis on applied research. The current priorities are defined in the document Research, Development and Innovation Strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture for 2023-2032. You can find the complete document here: https://www.vri.cz/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Koncepce-vyzkumu-vyvoje-a-inovaci-Ministerstva-zemedelstvi-na-leta-2023%E2%80%932032.pdf. This strategic document is referenced, for example, in individual calls issued by the National Agency for Agricultural Research, as well as by the annually announced competitions for the Minister of Agriculture Award for Young Scientists and the Minister of Agriculture Award for the Best Applied Result. The Academy organizes these awards on behalf of the Ministry.
In addition to its advisory role, CAAS publishes 11 international scientific journals, 10 of which are indexed in the Web of Science database and have an assigned impact factor. More information about CAAS can be found on its website www.cazv.cz.
The celebration of 100 years of existence is certainly a reason for a brief reminder of the organization's history, which has significantly contributed to the shaping of agriculture and continues to play a role in defining further directions for research and development in the agricultural sector. On this occasion, the book ”100 Years of the Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences 1924-2024” was published. This book not only describes the history of the Academy but also provides brief descriptions of 12 departments, profiles of 5 public universities that prepare graduates for agricultural practice and research, as well as information about 20 research organizations in the competency of the Ministry of Agriculture.
One of the mentioned departments is the Department of Veterinary Medicine. Although the Department was established as an independent entity only in 1957, it was very active, particularly in combating infectious diseases. This agenda largely overlapped with the focus of the Veterinary Research Institute, which was founded in 1955. Therefore, the chairpersons of the Department were mostly directors of the VRI: Prof. Holub, Dr. Jurák, Prof. Hruška, Prof. Věžník, and Prof. Toman. Prof. Toman was succeeded by Prof. Suchý, who was the rector of the University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Brno at that time, followed by Doc. Suchý from the Faculty of Pharmacy at VETUNI and later MUNI. At present, the position is held by the current director of VRI, Dr. Faldyna.
The Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences celebrated its anniversary with a ceremonial plenary session of its members, which took place on 22 October 2024, at the National Museum of Agriculture in Prague. The session opened with a speech by the Chairman of the Board, Dr. Nedělník, who highlighted the history of the Academy. There were also addresses from prominent guests, including the Minister of Agriculture, Mgr. Výborný. The celebrations also included the presentation of awards for contributions to the development of science and research in the agricultural sector. The following scientists from the Department of veterinary medicine were honoured:
Prof. MVDr. Eva Baranyiová, CSc., as a Senior Research Scientist, focused on the study of the physiology of postnatal development of farm animals and animal behaviour problems at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Brno. From 2015 to 2019, she functioned as the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Veterinary Medicine. From 2006 to 2015, she was a member of the Board and also served as Vice President of the European Association of Science Editors for three years. She received the bronze medal.
MVDr. Martin Faldyna, Ph.D., is a Senior Research Scientist at the Veterinary Research Institute, where he has held the position of Director since 2020. Between 2003 and 2023, he served as an assistant professor in teaching veterinary immunology and clinical immunology at the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno. He is a member of the Editorial Board of the journal Veterinary Medicine and, since 2021, has also functioned as the Chairman of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the CAAS. He received the silver medal.
Prof. MVDr. Miroslav Toman, CSc. is a Senior Research Scientist at the Veterinary Research Institute, where he also held the position of the Director between 2001 and 2012. As a guarantor of the veterinary immunology disciplines, he has been involved in teaching and developing the branch at the University of Veterinary Sciences Brno. From 2005 to 2013, he was the Chairman of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the CAAS and is currently the Editor-in-Chief of the journal Veterinary Medicine. He received the gold medal.
