Here is the opportunity to develop family farms

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The state secretary emphasized that new calls for tenders will appear for both smaller and larger plants, in which larger, complex investments are supported as well as smaller-scale developments. He added that, in light of the changed consumer needs, this is an outstanding opportunity for smaller, family livestock farms as well, since they have an unsecured advance for their developments in line with the conditions of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy. In addition, support can be requested for interest costs. It is not necessary to plan an investment involving construction, the support can also be used for the purchase of equipment – he added. Zsolt Feldman emphasized that the volume of domestic milk production has been increasing for years, thanks to efficiency-enhancing investments and breeding organization, and the outstanding work of breeding organizations. In 2023, livestock farmers received HUF 1.9 billion as support for the organization of breeding, of which the cattle sector received HUF 900 million, the state secretary added.

A novelty in the KAP’s new application system is the Hungarian initiative, thanks to which animal welfare support can also be applied for under new legal titles

In 2024, 1,479 applications for this legal title were received from beef cattle farmers – emphasized Zsolt Feldman. The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union tightened the conditions of production, adapting to the new regulatory system created challenges, he added. In relation to production-related subsidies, he said that, based on last year’s applications, mother cows were paid HUF 10.3 billion, fattened bulls were paid HUF 1.25 billion, and dairy cattle farmers received HUF 29.1 billion.

The Magyartarka is a dual-use variety, popular among domestic livestock keepers

Small farms play an important role in the production of dairy products, cheese, and small-scale food. Zsolt Feldman pointed out that the current call for tenders for small-scale food processing is a great opportunity for them. While in 2010 the Hungarian population consumed 5.5 kilograms of cheese and cottage cheese on an annual basis, in 2020 this proportion has risen to 8.9 kilograms, statistics show. Zsolt Feldman added that an important goal of the subsidies is how we can satisfy this growing consumer demand from Hungarian livestock in the future.

AM