Centre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge

METK is a research institution under the administration of the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture. METK's objectives are to enhance the efficiency, competitiveness, and environmental sustainability of Estonian agriculture through applied research and development. According to its statute, the main activities include agricultural research, plant breeding and protection, field experiments, and knowledge transfer, as well as innovation services, advising agricultural producers and policymakers.

METK's structural units are situated in eight locations across Estonia. METK's research activities are divided between four departments: Plant Breeding, Plant Protection, Plant Biotechnology and Agricultural Research (Figure 1). As it is the task of METK to preserve crop genetic resources (including obligations arising from international conventions) and to produce certified seed, the research branch also includes a Gene Bank  and Seed Production Unit. Research activities are primarily concentrated in the historical centre in Jõgeva, where there is a contemporary breeding centre, renovated laboratory building, office building, a seed processing facility opened in 2023 and a recently built multi-purpose greenhouse.

METK is an important variety testing competence centre with four testing sites in different soil and climatic conditions with more than 1600 ha of agricultural land (over 20 000 field plots), of which 50 ha are used for annual field trial research. Between 2018 and 2023, significant investments (25 MEUR in total) were made to update infrastructure. This includes the renovation of the Saku laboratory building, which is now expected to be one of the best laboratories in Europe supporting agricultural research.

METK integrates fundamental and applied research to contribute to the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices to adapt to climate change and environmental regulations. The Department of Plant Breeding is focused on breeding and research of cereals, legumes, oilseed crops, grasses, potatoes and vegetables. The Department of Plant Biotechnology applies marker-assisted selection and new breeding techniques, and studies potato genetic resources. The Department of Agricultural Research focuses on soil, agroecology, agrotechnology and rural economy research. The Department of Plant Protection works on fungicide and herbicide resistance research in target populations, monitors and forecasts the spread of pests, and researches implementation of integrated plant protection principles. Integration of the Gene Bank with our research activities enhances the use of accessions in plant breeding and research.

Agricultural producers and advisors are more engaged and informed as a result of concentrating relevant scientific and advisory competencies in a comprehensive institution. Our experts and researchers work in interdisciplinary teams to integrate professional knowledge and develop new solutions. For example, the 5-year project Fertilisation ABC updated the recommendations for sustainable fertiliser use in various climatic and soil conditions in Estonia by involving experts from several departments and two universities.

Institution aims to increase strategic cooperation with well-recognised international partners such as the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE), Wageningen University and Research (WUR), and Teagasc, the Institute of Agricultural Resources and Economics (AREI), the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry (LAMMC), and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences.