The government is working to maintain the competitiveness of farmers

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

The State Secretary highlighted that the artificial water replenishment, which is inevitably necessary due to climate change, helps the landscape’s natural adaptability. Thanks to the broad sectoral cooperation and the regional offerings of farmers, a volume of water equivalent to one and a half tons of Lake Balaton, a total of more than one billion cubic meters, has been retained by this autumn. As an example of Hajdú-Bihar County, he highlighted the almost 14 interventions carried out in the Berettyó-Sebes-Körös area, including the filling of the backwaters of the Sebes-Körös, the dredging of the feeder channels, and the construction of dams.

Imre Hubai highlighted that the most drought-prone areas have been replenished nationwide, and the Drought Protection Operational Team will complete its work for this year by October 31.

He added that they are still waiting for regional offers from farmers in the future, and are looking for former irrigation canals that can be made public. The government has allocated 4.7 billion forints for the implementation of the Drought Protection Action Plan, filling reservoirs, backwaters and canals, restoring their water storage capacity, and water replenishment has been carried out at several hundred intervention points, he informed. This year, the fee for water purchased from state-owned works has also become free, which is further help for farmers. The Ministry of Agriculture has so far recognized 365 sustainable water management communities, with a total irrigated area of ​​more than 112,000 hectares, of which the area to be newly irrigated is more than 97,000 hectares – added Hubai Imre. A change in approach is needed in order to maintain crop and production security and the competitiveness of farmers – emphasized Hubai Imre. He said that the development of support schemes is already under planning based on a survey of farmers’ needs.

AM