During the European ACE-EX – Agriculture Circular Economy Expert meeting, co-funded by the Erasmus+ programme, we spoke with František Zvěřina in Brno. He serves as president and head of crop production at ZD Dešov, an agricultural cooperative based in the Třebíč district of the Czech Republic. His story offers a vivid example of how farming can move towards more sustainable and innovative practices.
ZD Dešov manages over 1,500 hectares of arable land and 155 hectares of permanent grassland, producing cereals, rapeseed, poppies, maize, soybeans and forage, alongside cattle farming for both milk and meat. The cooperative made a significant step towards a circular economy by installing a biogas plant. This strategic investment reduced energy dependence, converted livestock and crop waste into resources, and created a production cycle that reuses everything.
Zvěřina explained how the biogas plant sits at the centre of an innovative system for managing resources. They feed crop leftovers and waste from cattle sheds into the plant to produce electricity and heat. This approach provides the cooperative with solid energy self-sufficiency, lowers operating costs, and reduces overall emissions, demonstrating how waste can become a valuable asset.
The ACE-EX project, which highlights stories like Dešov’s, aims to disseminate these practices by training a new kind of professional: an expert in circular economy processes for agriculture. This ambitious initiative brings together 20 partners from 9 EU and non-EU countries, all working together to accelerate the agri-food sector’s shift towards circular models. It directly supports the European Green Deal and the goals of the 2030 Agenda02_ACE-EX.
Zvěřina also pointed out some challenges, including navigating complex environmental regulations and finding skilled personnel to operate the biogas plant. Still, this journey has strengthened the cooperative’s reputation locally, built stronger ties with the community, and opened doors to collaboration with other businesses.
Looking ahead, ZD Dešov plans to continue investing in technology to boost energy independence further and explore new ways to integrate innovation into its crop and livestock operations. It’s a powerful example of how the future of farming can begin today, thanks to bold decisions and European projects that bring together expertise, experiences, and a shared vision.
Find out more about the ACE-EX project: https://ace-ex.eu
Watch the interview on the ACE-EX YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/VgFt22mCr4Q