We spoke with him about the strength of the Agrofert Group, the domestic potential of precision farming, and how a large agricultural company can evolve into a knowledge center and innovation incubator.

BBJ: Let’s start with the basics. How did you move from a legal background to leading an agricultural company?

Zoltán Drucskó: I joined IKR Agrár Kft. 26 years ago, as in-house legal counsel, and over the decades, I gradually built the broad range of expertise needed to manage today’s complex agri-business environment. Agriculture is not just about farming. It is simultaneously strategic planning, understanding international market processes, technological innovation, and precise knowledge of the regulatory framework. My legal background provided a solid foundation, but real knowledge came from hands-on experience, daily work with producers, and continuous learning.

BBJ: IKR Agrár is a member of the Agrofert Group. What role does the group play in Hungarian agriculture?

ZD: The Agrofert Group is one of Central Europe’s largest agri-food conglomerates, and that gives us a major competitive advantage. Many people do not realize that we are not only involved in agricultural production. The group includes Ceres Bakery, with bread factories in Győr and Miskolc; NT Kft.’s sunflower processing plant in Kiskunfélegyháza; GreenChem Hungary Kft., which markets AdBlue; and Agrotec and Agri CS Kft., the exclusive Hungarian distributors of New Holland and Case IH agricultural machinery.

This vertical integration means we do not merely produce raw materials; we oversee and manage the entire value chain, from seed to table. That provides stability even in times of crisis. Precision farming is not a luxury; it is a necessity. Given Hungary’s heterogeneous soil conditions, competitive yields can only be achieved this way.

BBJ: Would you say precision farming is now mandatory in Hungary?

ZD: It is clearly mandatory if we want to remain competitive. IKR’s Technology Development Division has been working for more than 20 years to integrate digitalization, sensors, sampling and yield-mapping methods, and drones into domestic practice, supported by verified field trials. Hungary’s soil conditions are extremely heterogeneous, and this within-field variability can only be managed using precision methods.

Our services range from supporting economic decision-making to fine-tuning production, from potential yield calculations to fully integrated precision solutions. This includes professional field management, delineation of management zones, soil sampling, complex nutrient and seed management, and drone-based services.

BBJ: Can you give a concrete example of what this precision approach means in practice?

ZD: Certainly. Take our sunflower production as an example. We developed a specialized foliar fertilization technology, the IKR Harmonikum sunflower package, which contains the nutrients most critical for sunflower cultivation: boron, sulfur, and nitrogen. The package consists of two main products: Borosan Forte, a boron-based foliar fertilizer, and Lovosulbor, a complex foliar fertilizer containing 16% nitrogen, 15% sulfur, and 1.5% boron, along with micronutrients that enhance stress tolerance.

Based on three years of trial data, we found that using the Harmonikum package increased yields by 3-5% compared with untreated control plots, in both quantity and quality, particularly oil content. This is especially important for us, as we operate our own sunflower processing plant. For those interested in learning more about our sunflower cultivation technology and the Harmonikum package, we have good news. On Feb. 17, we will host a professional forum in Eger, where we will present our latest research results, practical application experiences, and answer producers’ questions.

BBJ: How do you assess the current state of Hungary’s agricultural sector? What trends are you watching?

ZD: We are seeing a significant structural transformation. Over the past 10 years, Hungary’s corn acreage has declined by roughly one-third, shrinking from a record 1.26 million hectares in 2001 to 770,000 hectares by 2025, a historic low. Experts believe it may stabilize around 600,000 to 650,000 hectares in the future.

At the same time, sunflower acreage has grown sharply. In 2000, it covered just 299,000 hectares; by 2025, it had expanded to 717,000 hectares, a 3.8% increase in a single year. Sunflowers have nearly caught up with corn, fundamentally reshaping Hungary’s arable crop production landscape. The reasons are complex: climate change, recurring droughts, the declining profitability of feed corn, high input costs, and global oversupply. These are the challenges we must adapt to with technology, innovation, and knowledge.

BBJ: How is IKR Agrár preparing for these challenges? What is your long-term strategy?

ZD: Our strategy rests on three pillars: knowledge, technology, and integration. We aim to become a knowledge center. It is not enough to produce efficiently; companies must understand markets, regulations, and the latest technologies. That is why we invest heavily in technology development and research and development. On the technology side, drones, sensors, and artificial intelligence-based yield forecasting are already in use, and we continue to refine them. Integration ensures efficiency across every segment of our value chain, from seed to processing, from machinery distribution to finished food products.

Climate change and market volatility require flexibility, rapid adaptation, and diversification rather than reliance on a single product or technology. That is the path we have chosen. We want to become a knowledge center. It is not enough to produce well; you must understand the market, the technology, and the future.

BBJ: What advice would you give to other agricultural companies facing similar challenges?

ZD: I would highlight three things. First, invest in knowledge and technology. Precision farming is not a luxury; it is a survival strategy. Second, do not be afraid of partnerships. Integration, knowledge sharing, and joint platforms create strength. Third, remain flexible. Recent years have shown that those who fail to adapt quickly fall behind. Agriculture today is no longer our grandparents’ farming. It is a scientific, data-driven industry where success depends on innovation and continuous development. That is what we believe in, and that is how we are building our future.

IKR Agrár Kft., as a member of the Agrofert Group, is one of Hungary’s leading agri-business players. The company’s portfolio spans agricultural production and food processing, as well as machinery trading and precision technology services. For more information, visit www.ikragrar.hu.

This article was first published in the Budapest Business Journal print issue of February 13, 2026.