The success of fodder production is in the interest of the entire agricultural sector

By: STA Date: 2023. 02. 22. 09:30

The past two years have placed unprecedented burdens on agriculture, including animal husbandry and feed production. In bridging the difficulties, the government hastened to help the sector, and it will be the same this year as well – said Sándor Farkas at the International Professional Day of the group of companies (UBM) that manufactures feed, trades grain and protein crops.

(Photo: Pixabay)

In his speech at the event in Siófok, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture briefly summarized the achievements of the agricultural sector in the past decade. He put it this way: Hungarian agriculture and the food industry have undergone significant development since 2010, and their efficiency and effectiveness have also improved. The output of agriculture increased by 27 percent between 2010 and 2021, and the performance of the food industry by 42 percent. The added value per hectare increased more than two and a half times during this period. This value is the second best result in the European Union after Ireland and far exceeds the 26 percent value of the Union as a whole. Real income in agriculture rose by 111 percent, which is the third best result in the EU. In addition to the expansion of agricultural exports, agricultural investments also expanded spectacularly between 2010 and 2022, which contributed to the modernization of the sector, increasing its productivity and competitiveness. Farmers spent HUF 542 billion on development in 2021, 70 percent more than in 2010, the speech said.

Sándor Farkas explained that the results achieved do not mean that everything is fine and there is nothing to do

For many years, he has identified the restoration of the balance between animal husbandry and crop cultivation as one of the most significant challenges. He welcomed the event in Siófok, one of the aims of which is to provide a forum for livestock keepers and feed producers. The event also offers an opportunity for the participants to clash their interests and, if possible, reach a common agreement – for the benefit of agriculture as a whole. This is confirmed by the cooperation agreement signed at the conference between the Hungarian University of Agricultural and Life Sciences and the UBM Group of Companies. The deputy minister mentioned the crisis period caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war, the extreme drought, the increase in input prices, the labor shortage, runaway energy prices and sanctioned inflation, which required hitherto unknown solutions from all of us. It is necessary to manage within these conditions and, as far as possible, maintain the previous direction of development, he said. He called the handling of the effects and consequences of the extreme price increases on the crop, gas, electricity and fertilizer markets worldwide, which started earlier but were amplified by the war, a key and central issue of agricultural policy.

Sándor Farkas put it this way: the interdependence of fodder producers and livestock farmers does not need to be explained

In order for their relationship to be fruitful for the national economy as a whole, it is an important goal for European feed production to be a knowledge-driven, reliable and responsible partner for animal husbandry. A safe product must be produced with as sustainable a production as possible. We are proud of the fact that the professional and technical preparation of the Hungarian feed industry is very high, so everything is given for the production of high-quality feed, which is essential for Hungary’s safe feed supply.

A.M

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