There is no sustainable horticultural development without dedicated farmers

By: STA Date: 2024. 12. 16. 10:00

Promoting the sustainability of the agricultural sector is a top priority, as is creating a knowledge-based and innovative agricultural economy. In order to achieve these goals, in addition to research, development and innovation, dedicated and cooperative farmers are also needed, and the players in the horticultural sector are no exception.

Sándor Farkas, Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Photo: Csaba Pelsőczy)

Sándor Farkas, Deputy Minister of Agriculture, stated at the FruitVeB year-end conference in Kecskemét that the issue of climate change is unavoidable from the point of view of food supply security. The government is committed to sustainable and competitive agriculture, which is why it has decided to provide 80 percent national co-financing for the almost 2,900 billion forints of European Union developments planned until 2027, in a unique way in the EU. As a result, in the current cycle, three times more money will be allocated for the development of agriculture and the food industry than in the previous EU funding period. The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated a budget of HUF 1,500 billion to promote the implementation of investments that increase competitiveness and efficiency with rural development subsidies in the new cycle. As an example, he mentioned that precision farming, the development of irrigation systems and the cultivation of climate-resistant plant varieties are being encouraged. Measures focused on encouraging environmentally conscious farming are being maintained, which play a significant role in strengthening the sustainability of crop production activities. The “Agri-environmental management payments (AKG)” and “Conversion to organic farming, maintenance of organic farming (ÖKO)” subsidies, which are popular among farmers, will continue from next year. The government continues to consider supporting the efficient use of irrigation water and increasing irrigated areas as a priority. We want to promote the further spread of agricultural digitalization, which will help strengthen the competitiveness and added value production of agricultural holdings, and at the same time, the application of environmentally friendly production technologies can be implemented, he listed.

According to the Deputy Minister, technological renewal is an important tool in the fight against the negative effects of climate change

The call for applications entitled “Horticulture – Support for Plantation and Medicinal Plantation” can help in this, the primary goal of which is to support the installation of plantations that are able to adapt to changing climate conditions, have high productivity and crop security. The available budget is 25.2 billion forints, and an applicant can apply for a maximum of 500 million forints. Applications can be submitted until April 28, 2025.