The new call for tenders for developing domestic horticultural production has been published

By: STA Date: 2024. 06. 27. 10:00

A new call for tenders has been published with a budget of HUF 50 billion to support the creation and modernization of horticultural greenhouses, cold storages, and vegetable storage facilities, as well as the purchase of equipment for the preparation of produced vegetables and fruits into consumer goods, announced the Minister of Agriculture, István Nagy.

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Within the framework of the call “Support for post-harvest developments related to horticultural greenhouses and cold storages”, cooperation between producers wishing to make large investments can also receive assistance from smaller producers. Among other things, the tender supports the construction and renovation of glass or foil-covered greenhouses, cold stores, cold storages, vegetable and fruit storage facilities, and post-harvest processing facilities, as well as the purchase of new tools and machines related to these, as well as energy upgrades – informed the minister. He added that in the previous support cycle, a total of 7,300 horticultural investment projects were supported in the framework of the Rural Development Program for horticulture in the amount of HUF 190 billion. The head of the ministry highlighted that, thanks to these decisions, it was possible to build and modernize 800,000 square meters of greenhouses and 465,000 square meters of foil houses, which means a total of 1.26 million square meters of modern capacity for propagating crop cultivation. With the help of the grants, around 452,000 cubic meters of cold storage was realized. The current tender represents the continuation of this development program. According to István Nagy, supporting the creation and modernization of greenhouses and cold stores is also important so that the money and energy invested in production is not lost due to inadequate storage technology in the post-harvest period. This is not only useful for producers, but also contributes to reducing losses in the process of the food chain, thereby reducing food waste. Moreover, by using cultivation technology in covered areas, there is no need to count on losses due to extreme weather caused by climate change.

The minister emphasized that the horticulture sector produces fresh vegetables and fruit for all consumers, as well as produces raw materials for the domestic food industry, which is why we have a common interest in increasing the competitiveness of horticulture, encouraging the use of new, innovative and environmentally friendly technologies, and promoting developments.

In relation to investments, the fund’s support intensity is 50 percent, while the development of technologies utilizing renewable energy, such as geothermal wells, is associated with a support intensity of 70 percent. According to István Nagy, based on the content evaluation system defined in the call for proposals, projects that have proven their added value, are financially sound, and in which the investor maintains long-term business relationships with its partners can expect to receive development funding. It will be possible to submit grant applications from September 24, 2024.