Work, knowledge, openness – this is the key to success in agriculture

Zsolt Feldman, State Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development at the Ministry of Agriculture (Photo: Tibor Vermes)

The first half of this year is the period of preparation for the new cycle of agricultural support, as the Common Agricultural Policy until 2027 contains many novelties, changed conditions and new forms of support – emphasized Zsolt Feldman. As he listed, the drought affecting agriculture, the rise in the price of raw materials, and sales difficulties have increased the importance of subsidies. This is also why it is important that the magnitude of direct subsidies for the income security of Hungarian farmers – thanks to the redeployment of resources made possible by the 80 percent national co-financing – did not decrease, despite the fact that the resources of the CAP at the EU level are 10 percent less than before. The increased national budget resource, on the other hand, is already in 2021-2022. During the year, it made it possible to award subsidies worth HUF 1,325 billion for the development of more than 10,800 farms, food industry businesses and municipalities. Of this, the tender to help farmers transition to precision farming stands out, which provided assistance in the purchase of power machines and implements equipped with digital technology that optimize the use of input materials and production, and enable site-specific cultivation, as well as related services.

The state secretary emphasized that it is vital to prepare farmers for the changing conditions for the application period that starts in April

Therefore, together with the specialists of the National Chamber of Agriculture – in addition to preparing the village farmers and consultants – they provide information at farmer forums in various parts of the country, but informational materials, videos and a website will also help to navigate the KAP Strategic Plan and the new support conditions.

The new CAP not only means stricter green conditions, but also offers opportunities that farmers can take advantage of, said Zsolt Feldman

The funds will go to the farmers in a new structure, one of the most important elements of which is that the funds that can be provided to small and medium-sized farms are redistributive subsidies, which provide additional funds for agricultural producers up to 150 hectares. In addition, the previously known basic and greening subsidies will merge, on top of which the agro-ecology program will be built, in which the farmer can decide on participation based on the characteristics of his own farm, production practices and vision for the future. The latter formulates environmental and climate protection requirements that are more pronounced than before in exchange for support, thereby encouraging agricultural practices that improve soil protection and water retention capacity – Zsolt Feldman informed the audience.

AM