István Nagy: EUR 189 million in new support for small and medium-sized farms

By: STA Date: 2022. 09. 08. 07:36

With the enhanced support for the first hectares of farms, 189 million euros of resources will be regrouped to small and medium-sized farmers from 2023 – announced the Minister of Agriculture on Thursday, at the ceremonial opening of the 35th Bábolna Farmers’ Days.

A lot depends on small and medium-sized farms in terms of the country’s food supply (Photo: Pixabay)

István Nagy said that in addition to the basic subsidy amount of 147 euros per hectare, an average of 80 euros per hectare for 1 to 10 hectares, and 40 euros for 10 to 150 hectares, are provided to the affected farmers. “It shows Hungary’s commitment to small and medium-sized businesses that instead of the mandatory ten percent, the amount of the new form of support will be 14 percent of our direct support for the entire year, which means 189 million euros per year,” added the minister. He highlighted: the other EU member states knowing its plans, it can be stated that our country regroups funds in the 4th largest proportion with this form of support for small and medium-sized farmers.

In mid-August, 80 percent of the country’s agricultural areas, four million hectares, were affected by drought

In the first series of measures, the Drought Emergency Operational Group introduced the loan moratorium, provided a support framework for feed transport and irrigation, and made it possible to take advantage of the possibility of emergency water use several times and accelerated the payment of drought insurance, he explained. In order to facilitate the digital transition of farmers, more than 2,600 farmers were awarded subsidies exceeding 193 billion forints for the spread of precision farming, and to this day they are making payments worth several billion forints per week, the minister added.

The most modern devices are presented at the fair

Gábor Haál, the director of the Bábolna National Stud Farm, said that this year, the fair awaits visitors on 20,000 square meters with 150 exhibitors, with 15 machine connections to present the latest power and work machine developments. On the vocational school day, the organizers will address students in secondary agricultural education from 19 schools. The students participate in a guided program and can try the most modern tractors on a test drive. The 35th Bábolna Farmers’ Fair is organized by the Bábolna National Stud Farm, organized by Magyar Mezőgazdaság Kft.

MTI