Hungarian farmers are not alone, they can still count on the government’s help

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

At the project closing event of the Kalocsa Regional Irrigation Community’s water management developments – which was implemented within the framework of the Rural Development Program – Imre Hubai said that the government is encouraging farmer cooperation serving irrigation development with a call for proposals with a budget of 2 billion forints, which is still open. He added that from the last day of September, applications will be able to be submitted again that cover investments within the agricultural holding that improve the efficiency of irrigation development and water use. The budget for this is 16.5 billion forints. The State Secretary reminded that the government has been taking over the agricultural water supply fee from farmers for the third year in a row, and this year it has lifted this burden from their shoulders as well. He added that this is “not just support, but also a strategic decision in the interest of national self-determination”. “As a result of the misguided war sanctions, energy prices have skyrocketed across Europe, and farmers have to pay the cost of energy through no fault of their own,” he said, adding that the easiest way for the government to help is to provide irrigation water for free, he added. Imre Hubai drew attention to the fact that there was a patriotic initiative in the EU to increase the agricultural crisis fund from 450 million euros to 700 million, but the People’s Party faction – including representatives of the Tisza Party – did not support this.

The Secretary of State said that the strength of the Hungarian countryside lies in traditions, work, and the cohesion of communities, and the government must support this with all its might

“If drought, hail, storms, plant and animal diseases, epidemics, and the drastic increase in energy prices were not enough challenges for us,” then there is also “Ukraine’s accelerated EU accession, the influx of Ukrainian food into the European and Hungarian markets,” as well as the plan to “decapitate” agricultural subsidies – warned Imre Hubai. Speaking about next year’s parliamentary elections, he emphasized: “we must decide whether we will be subordinate or protect the interests of Hungarian consumers and the competitiveness of Hungarian farmers; whether we will maintain our right to the country’s food security and whether we will stand up for the water sovereignty of our nation.”

The State Secretary said about the Kalocsa spice paprika that it has enjoyed international protection as a geographical indication for decades and is currently under EU protection

Kalocsa spice paprika is Hungarian. He added that Hungarian cuisine is our past, present and future at the same time, and if there is a spice that best symbolizes this national heritage, it is none other than Kalocsa spice paprika. The government is therefore doing everything in its power to help the development of paprika production, even its recovery, and through several measures to ensure its competitiveness by providing the highest possible level and intensity of support – the State Secretary emphasized. He highlighted that the establishment of sustainable water management communities, which provide a framework for cooperation between farmers wishing to irrigate, not only supports the government’s priority development policy intention, but also supports the re-spread of irrigated farming, producer cooperation, effective adaptation to climate change, and the stabilization of income and yields in agriculture. Róbert Zsigó, Parliamentary State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation (KIM), Fidesz MP for the region, highlighted that when it comes to the development of settlements, the only ones that can be supported and helped are those that know what they want to achieve and where they want to go. The same is true for farmers, because only those who have a vision for the future can take advantage of the application opportunities and government subsidies, he added. Speaking about the investment, Tamás Szigeti, head of the Kalocsa Regional Irrigation Community, said that the total development cost almost one billion forints, of which 723 million forints were covered by government and EU support. He explained that the community was founded in 2021, has 38 farmers as members, started with 700 hectares of irrigation area, but currently operates on an area of ​​830 hectares. According to him, the members mainly grow field vegetables (spice peppers, cabbages, sweet corn, dill, potatoes) and grain crops (wheat, sunflower, rape).

AM/MTI