VDU Žemės ūkio akademija / VMU Agriculture Academy

What VDU Žemės ūkio akademija / VMU Agriculture Academy does

VDU Žemės ūkio akademija (VMU Agriculture Academy / VDU ŽŪA) is a constituent academy of Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas (Vytautas Magnus University), located in Akademija, Kaunas district, Lithuania. Founded in 1924 and celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, the institution operates as a public academic body formed through the 28 June 2022 merger of Aleksandro Stulginskio universitetas (ASU) into Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas. It delivers higher education across five academic units — the Faculties of Agronomy, Bioeconomy Development, Engineering, and Forests and Ecology, plus the Bioeconomy Research Institute (containing the BioTEC excellence centre and the Animal Production Research and Innovation Centre) — offering bachelor's, master's, doctoral, part-time, distance-learning, and subject-study programs across agricultural sciences, bioeconomy, engineering, forestry, ecology, and business. The academy operates a VDU ŽŪA Class network in 9 Lithuanian gymnasiums and the Smart Student Academy ("Sumanaus moksleivio akademija") reaching ~700 secondary-school students annually from 50+ schools.

The academy's research-and-teaching ecosystem is anchored by the VDU Žemės ūkio akademijos mokomasis ūkis (Teaching Farm), producing approximately 15,000 tonnes of cereal and legume reproductive seeds per year and over 17.1 tonnes of perennial grass seeds; the Bandymų stotis (Experimental Station) running 50+ field trials annually on ~150 hectares with ~3,000 experimental plots; and the Nacionalinė aplinkos ir žemės ūkio tyrimų laboratorija (National Environment and Agriculture Research Laboratory) holding LST EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accreditation (Certificate No. LA.239-01-1, valid until 28 December 2030) and an Environmental Protection Agency permit for pollution measurement. Precision-agriculture infrastructure includes GPS-enabled automated soil sampling (Wintex 1000 on Honda TRX 680 Rincon ATV), autonomous tractor robots — the first deployed in the Baltic States — variable-rate fertilization and seeding, precision sprayer section control, automated feeding and milking systems, and a public digital interactive farm map. From 1 July 2025, the Lithuanian government transferred the state function "Soil agrochemical property research" to the academy, formalizing its role as the sole national institution for this mandate under the Law on Agriculture, Food Economy and Rural Development.

Revenue is generated through multiple streams: state-funded higher-education allocations, tuition from non-state-funded (VNF) students, scientific and expert services to farmers and businesses, accredited laboratory testing, agricultural product sales (seed grain, raw milk via a mobile milk shop-bus), conference and meeting-hall rentals (IV Rūmai conference facilities at 130 EUR/hour or 700 EUR/day; meeting room at 70 EUR/hour or 385 EUR/day), professional qualification-improvement courses (e.g., 94-hour hunter certification at 350 EUR), and exhibition/event services organized through the Verslo ir socialinės partnerystės centras (VSPC). Distribution relies on the national LAMA BPO admissions system for enrollment, direct on-campus delivery, gymnasium outreach and career-guidance visits across Lithuania, the Erasmus+ network (430+ international university partners), and the "Ką pasėsi..." international agricultural exhibition drawing 80,000+ visitors annually. Customer segments include prospective university students, Lithuanian farmers and agribusinesses, rural communities receiving EU-funded extension training, and government/industry associations including LR Žemės ūkio ministerija (Ministry of Agriculture) and Lietuvos agronomų sąjunga (Lithuanian Agronomists Union).

Name

VDU Žemės ūkio akademija / VMU Agriculture Academy

Legal name

Vytauto Didžiojo universiteto Žemės ūkio akademija

Website

https://zua.vdu.lt

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

VDU Žemės ūkio akademija is a public Lithuanian agricultural academy (constituent of Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas) delivering higher education, applied research, and expert services across agronomy, bioeconomy, engineering, and forestry via an integrated teaching farm, accredited national laboratory, and event-driven outreach.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Technical and Trade Schools (61151), Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Agricultural Services (700), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Agricultural Production-Crops (100)

akta.pro primary industry

Agribusiness, Farm Management & Compliance (EDAOAOAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Crop, Soil & Agronomy Technician Training (EDAOAOAF), Agriculture & Food Production (EDABALAA)

Keywords

• Agricultural higher education
• Agronomy research services
• Precision farming training
• Forestry and ecology studies
• Bioeconomy education

Headquarters

HQ city

Akademija (Kauno r.)

HQ country

Lithuania

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. State-Funded Higher Education: VDU ŽŪA receives state funding for a portion of its study programs as part of Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas. State-funded (VF) and non-funded (VNF) study places are available across bachelor's, master's, doctoral, part-time, and distance learning programs.
2. Tuition Fees (Non-State-Funded Students): Students enrolled in state non-funded (VNF) positions pay tuition fees. The academy offers VDU Study Fund scholarships for first-year students to support tuition costs, as well as merit-based and social support scholarships.
3. Research and Expert Services: VDU ŽŪA provides scientific and expert services to businesses, farmers, and government bodies. This includes the National Laboratory testing services, consultation services, agro-environmental planning, fertilization plans, and participation in national and international research projects.
4. Agricultural Product Sales (Teaching Farm): The VDU ŽŪA Teaching Farm generates revenue from the sale of fresh raw milk (sold via mobile milk shop-bus), agricultural seeds (cereals, legumes, perennial grasses), and agricultural produce. The farm produces ~15,000 tonnes of reproductive seed material annually.
5. Conference and Training Services: Revenue from venue rentals (IV Rūmai conference halls), professional qualification improvement courses (e.g., hunter training courses at 350 EUR), agricultural subject studies for external learners, and short-term courses for farmers funded by EU and state programs.
6. Exhibition and Event Services: The Business and Social Partnership Center (VSPC) organizes national and international exhibitions, generating revenue and sponsorship from the "Ką pasėsi…" exhibition and other events. Over 200 exhibitions and events have been organized over 30+ years.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

VDU Žemės ūkio akademija delivers higher education programs (bachelor's, master's, doctoral, part-time, distance learning) across agronomy, bioeconomy development, engineering, and forestry & ecology faculties, alongside applied agricultural research, accredited laboratory testing, professional qualification courses, and commercial agricultural output from its teaching farm (cereals, legumes, seeds, raw milk). The academy operates an integrated teaching farm, experimental station, national laboratory, and exhibition/conference infrastructure serving students, farmers, agribusinesses, and government bodies in Lithuania and internationally.

Product overview

VDU Žemės ūkio akademija is a comprehensive agricultural university offering diverse study programs across agronomy, bioeconomics development, engineering, forestry and ecology, along with specialized research institutes including the Bioeconomics Research Institute with its BioTEC excellence centre and Animal Production Research and Innovation Centre. The academy provides scientific and expert services through its Teaching Farm (producing approximately 15,000 tonnes of seeds annually), Experimental Station (conducting over 50 field trials annually), and National Environment and Agriculture Research Laboratory (ISO/IEC 17025:2018 accredited). Educational services include subject studies with 26 courses, qualification improvement programs, and outreach initiatives such as the VDU ŽŪA Class Network. The institution organizes major events including the 'Ką pasėsi...' agricultural exhibition (80,000+ visitors annually) and the annual 'Žemdirbio vasara' scientific conference. Business services are delivered through the Business and Social Partnership Centre and Communication and Technology Transfer Centre, supporting innovation commercialization and industry collaboration.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Higher Education Study Programs State-funded (VF) and tuition-paying (VNF) bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree programs in agricultural sciences, bioeconomy, engineering, forestry, ecology, and business for Lithuanian and international students.
• Subject Studies (Individual Course Enrollment) Program allowing students, professionals, and external learners to take individual university courses with academic transcripts awarded upon completion, recognized across EU higher education institutions.
• Hunter Training Course 94-hour certification training program with theoretical examinations approved by the Environmental Protection Department and practical training at designated hunting grounds.
• Qualification Improvement Courses Vocational training programs for hunters, livestock breeders, embryo transfer specialists, and agricultural professionals, including free courses for farmers funded by EU and Lithuanian state programs.
• Conference Facilities Rental (IV Rūmai) Rental of two modern conference and meeting halls with digital projector, screen, sound system, microphones, simultaneous translation equipment for 50 people, and live internet streaming capabilities.
• VDU ŽŪA Teaching Farm Agricultural Products Sale of fresh raw milk (via mobile milk shop-bus in Kaunas and Akademija), agricultural seed materials (cereals, legumes, perennial grasses), and other farm produce from the university's integrated teaching farm.
• National Environment and Agriculture Research Laboratory Testing Services Accredited testing laboratory providing chemical analysis of soil, water, wastewater, plants, feeds, fertilizers, biowaste, ash, and pesticides to farmers, agricultural businesses, and government bodies across Lithuania.
• Experimental Station Research Services Non-academic research unit conducting field experiments, agronomy research, soil and crop ecology studies, and publishing 60-80 scientific and popular science publications per year for the agricultural sector.
• Communication and Technology Transfer Centre Services Knowledge and technology transfer services for commercialization of agro-innovation and food technology research, facilitating collaboration between scientists, researchers, students, and entrepreneurs.
• Business and Social Partnership Centre Exhibition and Event Services Exhibition organization, social partnership development, qualification improvement training, and business partnership coordination services through the Exhibition Organization, Social Partnership, and Partnership Development Divisions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 80,000 visitors annually at the "Ką pasėsi…" exhibition
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VšĮ Lietuvos žemės ūkio konsultavimo tarnybacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (ŽŪŽIS) Cluster, contributing to knowledge transfer between agricultural research, advisory services, and farming practice across Lithuania.
• Lietuvos žemės ūkio tarybacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the ŽŪŽIS Cluster, collaborating on agricultural policy, research, and extension services for the agricultural sector.
• Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas (LSMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the ŽŪŽIS Cluster, contributing medical/health science expertise to interdisciplinary agricultural and environmental research.
• VšĮ LSMU Praktinio mokymo ir bandymų centrasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the ŽŪŽIS Cluster, providing practical training and experimental research capabilities in health/life sciences.
• VšĮ Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras (LAMMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the ŽŪŽIS Cluster, contributing leading agricultural and forestry research expertise. LAMMC researchers regularly collaborate with VDU ŽŪA scientists on field experiments and publications.
• Lietuvos agronomų sąjunga (Lithuanian Agronomists Union)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual co-organizer of the "Žemdirbio vasara" scientific-practical conference since its inception. The union and VDU ŽŪA jointly advance agronomy science and practice, sharing 100+ years of history (LAS founded 1921).
• Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System Cluster (ŽŪŽIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDU ŽŪA coordinates the ŽŪŽIS Cluster, which brings together leading Lithuanian agricultural research, education, and advisory institutions for coordinated knowledge flows, joint research projects, and innovation transfer to the farming sector.
• Verslo ir socialinės partnerystės centras (VSPC) – Business and Social Partnership CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-academic unit of VDU ŽŪA responsible for exhibition organization (including the "Ką pasėsi…" exhibition with 80,000+ visitors), social partnership development, qualification improvement training, and business partnership coordination with 50+ companies annually.
• Klasteris "Žaliasis intelektas" (Green Intelligence Cluster)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDU ŽŪA coordinates the Green Intelligence Cluster, an open collaboration platform linking science, studies, and practice. Members include 6 faculties and research units (Agronomy Faculty, Agroecology Center, Botanical Garden, Forests and Ecology Faculty, Teaching Farm, Test Station). Develops innovative and sustainable solutions for agriculture and forestry.
• Transform4Europe AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDU ŽŪA participates in the Transform4Europe European university alliance, enabling student and staff mobility, joint programs, and collaborative research across European universities.
• BOVA and NOVA CooperationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDU ŽŪA participates in BOVA (Baltic Open Education Alliance) and NOVA (Nordic Forestry and Veterinary Agricultural cooperation) networks for student exchange, joint education, and research collaboration.
• AB "Lytagra"minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural machinery company providing motivational scholarships (1,000 EUR over 10 months) for engineering students through the Agricultural Engineering Study Cluster.
• UAB "Dojus agro"minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural technology company providing scholarships for Sustainable Engineering students (3,000 EUR over 10 months), participating in school visits ("Agroverslo vizitai į gimnazijas"), and collaborating on precision farming demonstrations at the teaching farm.
• Slėnis "Nemunas" (Nemunas Valley)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional development initiative linked to VDU ŽŪA, focused on innovation and technology transfer in the agricultural and food sector in the Nemunas river region.
• UAB "Scandagra"minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural trading company providing named scholarships (2,250 EUR over 9 months) for Agronomy students based on academic performance.
• UAB "Nando"minorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusiness providing named scholarships (500 EUR one-time) for Agronomy students with good academic results.
• AB "East West Agro"minorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgricultural company providing named scholarships (300 EUR one-time) for Agronomy and Agricultural Mechanics Engineering students.
• LR Žemės ūkio ministerija (Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry providing targeted motivational scholarships (200 EUR/month) for students in Agronomy, Food Quality and Safety, Sustainable Engineering, and Agricultural Mechanics Engineering programs. Assigns VDU ŽŪA as the institution responsible for national soil agrochemical research.
• LR Aplinkos ministerija (Ministry of Environment of Lithuania)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry providing targeted scholarships (250 EUR/month for first year) for Forestry students. Collaborates with VDU ŽŪA on environmental research and the ŽŪŽIS Cluster.
• Over 430 international university partnersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVDU ŽŪA maintains international academic partnerships through Erasmus+, bilateral exchange, BOVA, NOVA, and Transform4Europe networks, enabling student and staff mobility with over 430 universities worldwide.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• VšĮ Lietuvos žemės ūkio konsultavimo tarnyba: Lithuanian Agricultural Advisory Service, a state-funded extension organization also a member of the ŽŪMIS Cluster. Provides farm-level advisory and training services that partially overlap with VDU ŽŪA's extension offerings, serving as an adjacent institutional peer in the domestic agricultural knowledge ecosystem.

Broad incumbents

• Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (ČZU): Major Central European agricultural university offering programs in agrobiology, economics and management, engineering, forestry, and environmental sciences. Comparable integrated model with significant international student population and active research portfolio.
• University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU): Austrian agricultural and life sciences university and a leading Central European institution for agronomy, forestry, and bioeconomy. Provides benchmark for advanced European agricultural research institutions and is a natural Transform4Europe/EU partner reference.
• Wageningen University & Research: Globally leading agricultural and food research university in the Netherlands. Represents the gold-standard integrated agricultural university model with extensive lab testing, experimental farms, and industry partnerships — the strategic benchmark VDU ŽŪA aspires to in applied agronomic research and extension services.
• Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU): Sweden's specialized agricultural university with research and education in agriculture, forestry, and veterinary sciences. Cooperates with VDU ŽŪA via NOVA network and represents the Nordic agricultural higher-education benchmark for research excellence and student outcomes.
• Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas (parent institution): The parent university of VDU ŽŪA following the 2022 merger. VDU is a private university in Kaunas offering broad academic programs; VDU ŽŪA operates as its agricultural academy and is the most directly comparable institutional entity for benchmarking scale, governance, and educational delivery.
• Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW): Poland's largest agricultural university with broad faculties in agriculture, forestry, veterinary medicine, and life sciences. Comparable in scale and integrated research-education-service model, and a natural competitor for international students and EU project funding in Central-Eastern Europe.

Direct peers

• Estonian University of Life Sciences: The direct Baltic peer institution offering agricultural, forestry, veterinary, and rural sciences programs at the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu. Competes for international students, Erasmus+ flows, and research funding across the Baltic agricultural education market.
• Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies: Latvia's primary agricultural and bioeconomy university based in Jelgava, offering comparable faculties in agriculture, forestry, engineering, and food science. Direct competitor for Baltic agricultural talent, EU research grants, and regional student recruitment.
• Lietuvos agrarinių ir miškų mokslų centras (LAMMC): Lithuania's leading agricultural and forestry research institute, a member of the ŽŪMIS Cluster alongside VDU ŽŪA. LAMMC operates the main complementary research mandate (crop variety testing, forestry research) and shares field experiment and publication pipelines, making it the closest peer on research output and national mandate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Expoacademia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/vdu-%C5%BEem%C4%97s-%C5%ABkio-akademija
• Instagraminstagram.com/expoacademia/?hl=en

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about VDU Žemės ūkio akademija / VMU Agriculture Academy