Crop Research Institute (CRI) was established as Research Institute of Crop Production (RICP) was established in 1951. During more than 50 years of its existence, RICP has been the leading research institution in the field of crop production on the territory of the Czech Republic. After most specialised research institutes have been privatised in 1993, RICP is the only state independent institution pursuing research as well as expertise activities focused on problems associated with the growing of crop plants. The basic purpose of it is the development of scientific knowledge in the field of crop production, and related scientific disciplines  with the aim to ensure the development of sustaunable agriculture.

The institute consist of five research divisions. Among them Division of genetics breeding and product quality carries on traditional research fields and develops new trends, as well. The aim is to contribute to build up theoretical and methodological bases and provide materials for genetic improvement of agricultural crops as well as utilization of their biological potential and genetic diversity to assure specific demands on the quality of products. At present, fast and fundamental progress in molecular and cell biology, in vitro techniques as well as applied genetics and breeding methods speed up the further progress in agriculture through new cultivars and technologies. Simultaneously, increased attention is paid to the conservation and utilization of genetic resources as an irreplaceable source of genes for further genetic improvement of crops.

Scientist involved in COST Action Feed for Health: Jaroslava Ovesna