Czech agriculture faces labor shortage, schools focus on technology

The Czech agricultural sector is short by an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 workers. To attract more people, the Ministry of Agriculture is emphasizing new technologies and innovations. This year, it will allocate CZK 70 million to support 48 agricultural schools, funding equipment like drones and autonomous vehicles, according to Agriculture Minister Marek Výborný (Christian Democrats). Specialized schools aim to promote precision agriculture, integrating modern tools like multispectral cameras and satellite data. While 3,500 students graduate from agricultural schools annually, only half pursue careers in the field, hindering generational renewal and increasing reliance on foreign labor. The issue is common across the EU.