Half the country is dry

Minister of Agriculture Dr. István Nagy spoke about the issues of concern to producers in Debrecen, at the 31st Farmer Expo. (Photo: AM press office)

August 17-20 The University of Debrecen’s Böszörményi út Campus will host the 31st Farmer Expo International Agricultural and Food Industry Exhibition and the 17th Hortico Vegetable-Fruit Gardening Exhibition. At one of Hungary’s most significant agricultural fairs, 330 exhibitors will present themselves on 17,000 square meters, and 30,000 visitors are expected during the four days.

Quickly, efficiently

At Wednesday’s festive opening, Dr. István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture, spoke about the destruction caused by the century-long drought and the possible ways to mitigate the damage as soon as possible. As he said, after the 25 percent crop loss recorded for wheat, the corn stock has now been destroyed in a large part of Central Hungary and the Great Plain, and the crop beyond the Danube is also threatened by drought. It was said that as a result of the drought, the size of the country’s parched croplands could reach one million hectares, or 20 percent of the domestic cropland. In the lowland areas, the grasslands are also completely dry, and the farmers cannot graze or mow. The head of the department reminded that, after its first meeting, the drought emergency task force established to quickly and efficiently help agriculture recommended the introduction of a five-point package of immediate measures. These include the possibility of a loan repayment moratorium for needy agricultural enterprises, the insurance compensation process made faster and more flexible, the HUF 3 billion feed transport support framework for bulk feed, the HUF 1.4 billion subsidy for the increased energy costs of state irrigation works and the possibility to producers can resubmit their applications for their extraordinary water use needs.

Who is entitled to what?

The minister also said that those who wish to take advantage of the repayment moratorium must declare by September 15, and from September 1 they can receive a payment extension until December 31, 2023. For insurance compensation, the claim must be reported by October 31 and the insurers must pay the advance payment within 14 days. Farmers engaged in the cultivation of corn or sunflowers are entitled to claim an advance if the damage they suffer reaches an average of 80 percent per crop. The ministry also plans to pay the HUF 400 billion area-based subsidies in advance from mid-October. It was said that irrigation communities were created to develop irrigation farming and irrigation investments worth tens of billions of forints were realized. So far, farmers have received HUF 45 billion in support for irrigation development, and another HUF 70 billion is planned for this purpose.

This year, existence is at stake

In his greeting, the exhibition director László Vaszkó stated that during the four days, all topics that are important for the survival of farmers will be discussed in the programs and lectures. “I think that if farmers lose their optimism, don’t sow, or if they don’t take care of and feed their animals, then humanity is over,” said the host.

László Papp, the mayor of Debrecen, spoke about the fact that one of the country’s most important agricultural areas is located in Hajdúság. About 15,000 people work in agriculture in Debrecen. “Debrecen’s water consumption was at its peak in the 1980s. Then the daily water consumption was 90,000 liters, nowadays it is around 40,000. If the planned industrial facilities are completed and start operating, they will not exceed the 1980s measure. So the city’s water management is stable, but there is always room for improvement”.

AM