The principal research fields of DST are focused on Appropriate Technology (AT). AT is a technology that can be applied at an affordable price by local people using local materials to do useful work in ways that do the least possible harm to both human society and the environment. The research has contributed substantially to the development of appropriate and sustainable technologies and to helping improve the livelihood in tropical and subtropical areas. According to this the research deals with the use of renewable energy for agriculture production, processing of organic waste in rural areas as well as the monitoring of inadequate farming systems in relation to their environmental impact in tropical areas. The research is focused on poverty reduction in Less Developed Countries (LDC) as well.
The main research activities of DST are financed by projects under the Czech Republic Development Cooperation. At present there are five projects in different tropical countries of the world held by DST. In the research branch the department cooperates with all faculties of CULS Prague as well as with Research Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Crop Research Institute
