We must learn to manage our own water resources responsibly

(Photo: AM/Török Levente)

Imre Hubai emphasized: climate change and its consequences require a change of perspective in the water sector, in politics and in all areas of life, including society as a whole. The government’s response to this is the Water into the Landscape program, as part of which 4.7 billion forints will be used to replenish water at 260 intervention points, and water retention measures and technical interventions will be implemented. This year, this means delivering 150-200 million cubic meters of additional water to the landscape, while by the end of next year this amount is planned to reach 3 billion cubic meters, which is one and a half times the water resources of Lake Balaton – he announced. According to his information, the flooding of the material extraction pits left over from the construction of the Hanyi-Tiszasűly floodplain reservoir is currently underway, which is being carried out by specialists from the Central Tisza-Vidéki Water Management Directorate from the water resources of the Jászság main canal. He indicated that by delivering approximately 1.5 million cubic meters of fresh water to the landscape by gravity, this work will also create the conditions for life here, the balance of the ecosystem and the possibility of satisfying the irrigation needs of farmers in the area in the future. He also mentioned that in addition to interventions aimed at preventing and reducing drought damage in the water industry, serious planning is underway in the background, during which future irrigation development strategies are being prepared, including the at least threefold increase in the country’s irrigated areas. He reminded that thanks to the cost-effective operation of water facilities and the 10 billion forints provided by the government, farmers can access irrigation water free of charge. He added that although Brussels and the Tisza Party do not support Hungarian farmers being able to protect themselves against the harmful consequences of climate change, the government is determined to maintain this form of support.

The Water in the Landscape program also provides an incentive for young farmers

János Pócs, the region’s member of parliament, said that a 30-year dream is now coming true for the farming community in the area, as it has been a long-standing demand to have access to the water of the Jászság irrigation canal in as large an area as possible. With this step, the Jászkisér, Jászapáti, and even Jászberény regions have now been connected to this network, which is essential now, when the region and the country are struggling with the biggest drought of the century – he underlined. The Water into the Landscape program is also an incentive for young farmers, as its implementation reduces the extraordinary weather exposure of agriculture experienced in previous decades and centuries – he noted. Attila Lovas, director of the Central Tisza-Rural Water Directorate, said: the 10 material extraction sites left behind during the construction of the reservoir dams have been converted into wetlands for years. Within the framework of the current drought damage prevention action plan, the opportunity has opened up to create gravitational water replenishment conditions for 4 such areas and to fill them with water. The total capacity of the 10 pits will be 2.5 million cubic meters and their total area will reach 160 hectares. He emphasized that the recharge is currently being solved exclusively by draining free water resources, i.e. water not used for agricultural purposes.

MTI