The role of agriculture is increasingly appreciated

(Photo: Csaba Pelsőczy)

The head of the ministry discussed with Don Labb, the Indiana State Secretary of Agriculture, what challenges farmers have to deal with. He drew attention to the importance of a positive perception of agriculture and producers and the indispensable role they play in food production. He explained that, as a result of the Russian-Ukrainian war, European agriculture is facing great difficulties, and the actors of the sector have to solve significant challenges in the field of sales. The issue of irrigation was also discussed at the meeting. The implementation of technological developments and investments is solved differently in different countries, but water is the basis of safe food production, he added.

István Nagy spoke about the development trends of the Hungarian agriculture and food industry over the past decade

He emphasized that our task is that more and more people find their calculations in the agricultural sector. We work so that young people participating in vocational training and higher education can take over their farms from their parents, and by modernizing them, the sector becomes even more competitive. He explained that our country will modernize the entire agriculture sector by the end of the decade. And we rely on American experience in the renewal of technology. Hungary welcomes investors and innovations, and we also want to strengthen scientific and university relations. The new technology is only useful if there is someone who knows how to use it properly, with the latest knowledge – underlined the head of the ministry.

The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture was also received in his office by Diego Morales, Secretary of State of the State of Indiana

The two heads of ministries talked about the importance of cooperation and strengthening each other. It feels good to meet friends across the ocean who can be confidently counted on and work together in these challenging times. If a person has such reliable partners, he can solve problems more simply, the minister reminded.

During the day, the head of the Hungarian agricultural ministry held discussions with the leaders of the Indiana Farm Bureau

The fight against the drought caused by extreme weather and the issue of grain imports from Ukraine were also discussed at the meeting. The minister emphasized that we pay a lot of attention to the generational change taking place in agriculture, and we are also interested in Indiana’s experience in this matter. We are interested in young people seeing a serious perspective in agriculture, where they can ensure our country’s food and a sustainable environment by producing with precision tools. The minister also touched on the importance of pollination, informing his partners that there are 12 bee colonies per square kilometer in Hungary, which is the second highest in Europe.

After the consultations, the head of the ministry visited Purdue University, among others, where he spoke with educators and academic experts about higher education and agricultural technology issues.

AM