The Ministry of Agriculture supports ornamental gardeners with several application opportunities

(Photo: AM/István Fekete)

At the event, the Minister drew attention to the fact that ornamental gardeners contribute to the physical and mental health of all of us in the form of plants, flower bouquets and public parks that delight the soul, settlements that shine like jewel boxes and cities with a livable climate. Although the activities of gardeners and traders do not qualify as agricultural production, their work plays an important role in the economic development of rural areas and in local employment. For all these reasons, the Ministry of Agriculture announced a call for applications in 2024 in order to modernize the ornamental horticulture sector, which is essential to meet growing market demands, and to raise the standard of production methods and services. Within the framework of the call, enterprises could apply for support for the construction of facilities necessary for their operation, the expansion and renovation of their premises, and the purchase of machinery and equipment. 176 enterprises submitted applications for double the announced budget of 1.6 billion forints. By reallocating funds for the support, we are creating the opportunity to pay the requested amount to all eligible applicants who meet the requirements, the minister emphasized.

István Nagy also spoke about the fact that open-field horticulture is naturally entitled to the area-based support that all farmers are entitled to

In addition, resources such as precision machinery purchase and irrigation development applications are also available in the Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan. Those concerned were also able to participate in the call for proposals aimed at supporting horticultural greenhouses, cold storages and post-harvest developments. He explained that it is also important in the future to increase the proportion of domestic products and to gradually expand the number of flower and ornamental plant purchases by the public, i.e. to develop green culture. The Minister said that the creation of a green space certificate, developed at the initiative of the Hungarian Garden Heritage Foundation, will now be a mandatory requirement for all large-scale real estate developments. This will ensure the use of domestic plant species that are resistant to climate change, the sustainability of green spaces and the implementation of many other aspects that serve climate protection and the health of all of us, he added.

AM