AM: the government is working to maintain the competitiveness of farmers

By: STA Date: 2025. 10. 20. 09:30

🎧 Hallgasd a cikket: Nyelv: Sebesség: 1.05×

The renewal of regional water management is of paramount importance for the sake of competitive farming and crop security – said Imre Hubai, the State Secretary responsible for agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture (AM) on Friday in Berettyóújfalu, at the Bihari Számadó Napok farmer forum, according to a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture.

(Photo: Pixabay)

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 Lake Balaton, a total of more than one billion cubic meters, has already been retained this autumn – he added. 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 canals, and the construction of dams. Imre Hubai emphasized that the most drought-prone areas have been replenished nationwide, and the Drought Protection Operational Team will complete its work by October 31 this year. He added that they will continue to expect 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. 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, whose total irrigated area is more than 112,000 hectares, of which the area to be newly irrigated is more than 97,000 hectares – he added. A change of approach is needed in order to maintain crop and production security and the competitiveness of farmers. Based on a survey of farmers’ needs, the development of support schemes is already under planning – the State Secretary noted.

MTI