Bucharest hosted the European Horticulture Congress
The 5th European Horticultural Congress took place between May 12-16, 2024, this time organized by the University of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine Bucharest and Romanian Society of Horticulturists, in the Palace of the Romanian Parliament. Organized under the auspices of the International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) and the high patronage of Romanian Academy, the event was attended by more than 800 guests from about 70 countries and more than 1000 scientific papers were registered.
The European Horticultural Congress provided a great opportunity for education and research, contributing to the international exchange of ideas and promoting European concepts for transforming urban environments into green cities. Bringing this international event to Romania gave students, researchers, teachers and professionals access to leading experts and innovations in the field of horticulture, strengthening national and international collaborations.
Several technical tours were organized. On May 14, more than 100 participants visited the demo plot of Research and Development Institute for Fruit Culture (ICDP) in Pitesti-Mărăcineni, where the product of 9 years of fruitful collaboration with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Romania and Dutch companies was shown.
A turning point in horticulture
The event’s motto was 'A Turning Point in Horticulture', highlighting the transformation needed, as also this agricultural sector is facing great challenges. The symposia addressed topics as sustainability, resilience, climate change, biodiversity, artificial intelligence, robotization and everything related to intelligent horticulture and new technologies. As contribution from the Dutch side researcher Loekie Schreefel from Wageningen University & Research (WUR) presented an inspiring vision of European food systems for the future, linked to regenerative agriculture initiatives.
Main goal of EHC is to contribute to enriching the scientific heritage of horticulture, as well as knowledge, ideas, experiences and relationships, from an European and international level.
The next major event in the field of horticulture will be the International Horticultural Congress held on August 25 - 30, 2030 in Milan, Italy.