István Nagy: We are taking Hungarian agriculture into the 21st century

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

István Nagy stated that one of the ministry’s most important tasks is to lay the foundation for the future in vocational training. He said that agricultural vocational training institutions must provide young people with information that will lay the foundation for their entire future life and “will be a guarantee that the food security and food supply of the Hungarian population will never be compromised for a moment.” The Minister indicated that Hungary has excellent natural resources for many agricultural activities, but at the same time it is also important that farmers are able to apply the best available technologies with appropriate expertise. Nowadays, we can experience rapid transformation in climatic and market conditions, as well as in the economic environment and consumer habits – said the Minister, adding that it has become necessary for agricultural and forestry actors to acquire knowledge that is different from the traditional one. He said that they primarily need practice-oriented knowledge and experience in the application of current natural processes and farm organization patterns. István Nagy said that farmers today need to learn about innovative technologies, crops, environmental protection, forestry, animal welfare, animal health, farm management, organization, and marketing solutions. He indicated that through knowledge, they can optimize production, reduce pollutant emissions and effectively adapt to the effects of climate change, which demonstration farms can also help with.

According to the minister, agricultural vocational training is successful, young people have understood the changes and the opportunities they provide for them

He announced that this academic year, 3,316 students began their studies in one of the 52 vocational training institutions. He said that there is a clear expectation from all stakeholders that agricultural vocational training should train professionals for the Hungarian agriculture and food industry who can provide appropriate responses to the changing challenges of the world. He pointed out that this is also why it is important that traditional school education be transformed in line with the expectations of the 21st century and that students participating in the training become familiar with a wide spectrum of theoretical and practical knowledge. He called it important that young people can study in a dual economic environment and, as he said, the path to higher education from vocational training is now much easier. He underlined that this year more than 3,200 students were admitted to state-supported agricultural higher education institutions.

The Minister said that 19 institutions received 15.6 billion forints in support of demonstration plants announced in 2023 within the framework of the Rural Development Program

He added that the goal was to create practical training places equipped with the best available technology, where they can transfer knowledge in 21st-century conditions. Imre Lévai, Director General of the Northern Agricultural Vocational Training Center (ÉASZC), said at the handover that the completed investment represents not only technological progress, but also a milestone in shaping attitudes in agricultural vocational training. He added that the development also allows for the presentation of different pig breeds, thus improving the students’ knowledge. Nikoletta Hollóné Baski, director of the ÉASZC Bárczay János Agricultural Technical School, Vocational Training School and Dormitory in Abaújszántó, said that the development not only raises the standard of education, but also serves the agricultural development of the region. Ádám Sáfián (Fidesz-KDNP), the mayor of Abaújszántó, highlighted that the investment strengthens the development and future of the entire region, and the handover will celebrate the results of joint efforts, as well as knowledge, innovation and respect for tradition. In the investment, a 400 square meter pig barn was renovated and the technology related to pig farming was also improved at a cost of approximately 331 million forints.

AM/MTI