At the Belarus State Agricultural Academy, the opening ceremony of the International Digital Agriculture Olympiad “SmartAgro‑2026” took place. This year, 14 student teams from Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan are participating in the intellectual competition.

“SmartAgro” is being held for the second consecutive year and brings together students from higher education institutions in engineering and agricultural fields who are interested in mastering cutting‑edge technologies and developing practical skills in demand in the modern agri‑industrial complex.

The Olympiad aims to develop the professional competencies of future specialists in the agricultural and engineering sectors, popularize modern digital and precision farming technologies, and increase youth interest in innovative solutions that shape the development of contemporary agriculture.

The ceremony was opened by the rector of BGSHA, Vitaliy Velikanov. He warmly welcomed those gathered in the hall and noted that the Olympiad addresses an important task – it strengthens the interaction between leading industrial enterprises and higher education institutions of the Union state, promotes the development of scientific and technical cooperation, and prepares highly qualified personnel for industry and the agri‑industrial complex.

Next, the head of the Industrial Cooperation, Science and Education Committee of the Union of Industrialists “Progress”, Andrey Gorgodze, spoke. The speaker enthusiastically thanked the academy and the rector personally for supporting the ideas and initiatives of the Union of Industrialists “Progress” and LLC “Agricultural Technologies”, emphasizing that hosting the international Olympiad creates conditions for professional interaction among students, the exchange of experience, and acquaintance with promising directions of agriculture digitalization. This contributes to strengthening ties between education, science, and production, as well as forming a personnel pool for implementing innovative technologies in the agri‑industrial complex.

Andrey Romanovich presented Vitaliy Viktorovich with a Certificate of Appreciation for hosting the II International Olympiad on Digital Agriculture “SmartAgro‑2026” and for his personal contribution to the development of educational and scientific‑technical initiatives in the field of agricultural machinery and technologies. Diplomas recognizing active participation in the preparation and conduct of the Olympiad were also awarded to all participating institutions.

Director of LLC “Agricultural Technologies” Maxim Bazulka shared his professional perspective on the development of the industry and the implementation of advanced technologies. The speaker also congratulated the participants on the beginning of a new, exciting phase of life, noting that after the Olympiad concludes, it is worth maintaining the friendships and professional connections that have been forged, for in unity lies our strength.

Next, the head of the Nizhny Novgorod Oblast Representative Office of the Russian Federation in the Republic of Belarus, Andrey Dudkin, spoke. The speaker emphasized that all the knowledge acquired by the students in universities, as well as the experience they will gain during the