Maag Food Launches Scholarship Programme to Support the Next Generation of Food Industry and Agriculture Professionals

8. October 2026

Estonia’s largest food producer, Maag Food, is launching a scholarship programme this autumn to encourage young people to pursue careers in Estonia’s food industry and agriculture. Students enrolled in selected study programmes at the Estonian University of Life Sciences and Olustvere School of Service and Rural Economics are eligible to apply.

As part of the programme, a total of four scholarships of €1,000 (net) will be awarded each semester, amounting to eight scholarships per academic year. Applications are open to second- and third-year students at the Estonian University of Life Sciences studying engineering and technology or animal husbandry, as well as second- and third-year students at Olustvere School of Service and Rural Economics studying agriculture and veterinary science or food technology, specialising in meat or dairy production. Further information about the scholarships is available on the schools’ websites.

“The backbone of Estonia’s food production and agriculture is its people, who carry out their work with dedication and a strong sense of responsibility, thereby contributing to the food security of the entire country. To ensure a sufficient supply of future professionals for the sector, we must do everything we can to motivate young people and support their development from students into valued industry specialists. The scholarship programme is a very important step in this direction,” said Relika Rohtoja, HR Director at Maag Food.

The need for new professionals is clear. According to OSKA’s study on labour demand in agriculture and the food industry, the agricultural sector requires more than 200 new graduates from relevant vocational and higher education programmes each year, while the food industry needs nearly 180. However, the current number of graduates is insufficient to meet actual labour market demand across many occupations.

“Scholarship cooperation between universities and companies is an excellent opportunity to send a clear message to young people that their skills are needed and that they are welcome in the sector. Equally important is receiving feedback from the industry about the types of specialists it needs. By working together with companies, we can contribute more effectively to developing the next generation of professionals,” commented Silja Kana, Member of the Management Board of the Joosep Toots Foundation of the Estonian University of Life Sciences.

“Cooperation between educational institutions and the private sector is essential to ensure that education meets the actual needs of the labour market as closely as possible and that students acquire practical, up-to-date skills. It also gives students an opportunity to establish their first professional contacts, helping them prepare for a smooth transition into working life after graduation. In many cases, an internship placement becomes a young person’s first job,” added Meriliis Villems, Head of Studies at Olustvere School of Service and Rural Economics.

Through the scholarship programme, Maag Food aims to support young people during their studies and help them focus fully on their education. The company also wants to give students an insight into the practical side of the industry. Each year, a number of young people have the opportunity to complete internships at various Maag Food units, with the possibility of joining the company after graduation if suitable vacancies are available. The company’s farms, production facilities and offices are located throughout Estonia, contributing to the vitality and development of rural communities.

Scholarship information and application requirements of Estonian University of Life Sciences:
https://www.emu.ee/ettevotete-ja-organisatsioonide-stipendiumid

Scholarship information and application requirements of Olustvere School of Service and Rural Economics https://www.olustvere.edu.ee/et/oppetoo/maag-food-stipendium

Maag Food is Estonia’s largest food producer and, together with its subsidiary Maag Agro, also Estonia’s largest agricultural company. We operate well-known and much-loved food brands, including Rakvere, Tallegg, Tere, Farmi and Deary in Estonia, Rīgas Miesnieks in Latvia, Klaipėdos Maistas in Lithuania and Pouttu in Finland. We are one of the leading food producers in the Baltics, employing approximately 2,300 people.
Our operations include various meat and dairy companies, farms and production facilities. This means that we manage the entire value chain, from livestock and poultry farming to the production of finished food products, ensuring consistent and controlled quality. Our activities have a direct impact on Estonia’s food security. Maag Food is part of Maag Grupp, a food industry group based entirely on Estonian capital.