István Nagy: the safety of production can only be maintained by irrigation

(Photo: drnagyistvan.hu)

The minister explained: 2 percent of the cropland in Hungary is now irrigated, the long-term goal is to reach at least 8 percent of the European average, and I would like to reach 400,000 hectares of irrigated land. Last year’s extreme drought showed that climate change is to such an extent that action must be taken against it – stressed István Nagy. The minister called it favorable that the technology is available, the support system is provided, and the appropriate vocational training and higher education training are also available. He emphasized: the young people understood what technological development, precision farming, innovation, automation and digitization mean in the renewed Hungarian agriculture, and they understand that they have a role in this.

The Minister of Agriculture drew attention to the fact that some of the traditions must also be reviewed in order to conserve water

It is necessary to think about what kind of plants can be grown in such weather conditions on individual landscape units, to grow plants that are more resistant to drought, and in addition, as one of the answers to the water crisis, the existing groundwater and precipitation must be managed much more disciplined, he pointed out. The decrease in the groundwater level and the deteriorating moisture supply of the soil significantly increased the tendency to drought in the vast majority of the country’s territory and significantly reduced the agricultural usability of the areas. István Nagy explained that bringing the surface and underground water resources to good condition is also crucial from an irrigation point of view. He emphasized that the previously started work on irrigation development must be accelerated with every effort. “If we want Hungarian agriculture to be competitive and efficient, then we must definitely deal with increasing irrigation,” he said.

István Nagy recalled: since 2016, farmers have been able to receive support for activities related to the development of irrigation within the framework of the Rural Development Program

Based on the call, 766 producers have received more than HUF 52 billion in subsidies so far. The minister emphasized that cooperation between farmers plays a key role in agricultural production. This is particularly important in the case of irrigation farming, which is why the legal basis for the organization of farmers who want to irrigate into a community has been created – he indicated.

By the beginning of May, 190 irrigation communities were recognized, which practice irrigation farming in an area of almost 76,000 hectares

The farmers who organize themselves in this way are supported by the support of the cooperation of the irrigation communities, the projects that apply successfully to the call can receive a non-refundable subsidy of a maximum of 250,000 euros, the maximum amount of the subsidy can be 90 percent of the total eligible costs – explained the Minister of Agriculture. He added that 38 communities have already received HUF 2.6 billion in support. István Nagy drew attention to the fact that both calls for tenders have been opened again, and you can apply again until October 1st. He reminded that this year the government will take over the water fees from the farmers in order to help the investments pay off as quickly as possible. The minister also mentioned that in the future it will be possible to request support for the development of irrigation within the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (KAP) Strategic Plan, and an additional HUF 70 billion will be spent on this.

MTI