The government continues to work to maintain the competitiveness of farmers

(Photo: AM/Tibor Vermes)

The State Secretary highlighted that due to the consequences of climate change, in addition to the accumulation of water resources stored in the landscape, artificial water replenishment has now become an essential tool, which also helps the landscape’s natural adaptability. This year, this was achieved thanks to the broad sectoral cooperation, regional donations and the work of the Drought Protection Operational Team. This year, every farmer received the necessary water from the state mains free of charge. In 2025, there was almost 1.05 cubic kilometers more water left in the landscape than in previous years, which is equivalent to a water volume equivalent to half of Lake Balaton. According to our plans, the Ministry of Agriculture would increase this number to over 3 cubic kilometers next year, he added. The State Secretary pointed out that the measures included in the Drought Protection Action Plan will be fully implemented by October 31, their place will be taken by preparations for necessary tasks in the future, and the long-term management of water shortages will also continue. They are still waiting for regional offers from farmers, and they are designating those channels that can be considered public in order to enhance the results of regional water management and with their management, new areas will be supplied with surface water. He reminded that the government has allocated 4.7 billion forints for the implementation of the Drought Protection Action Plan, the repair of reservoirs, backwaters and canals and the maximum filling of their reservoir capacity, and the restoration of their water storage capacity. In addition, water replenishment was carried out at more than three hundred intervention points, and the water resource contribution and the fee for water taken from state main works were free of charge this year as well, which means assistance of more than 15 billion forints to farmers.

The Ministry of Agriculture has so far recognized 368 sustainable water management communities, the total irrigated area of ​​which is more than 114 thousand hectares, of which the area to be newly irrigated exceeds 97 thousand hectares

A change in attitude is necessary in order to preserve crop and production security and the competitiveness of farmers, the State Secretary emphasized. He said that farmers have been living on more than 3.5 million hectares with land use support schemes that are better suited to farmers’ needs, life and increasing adaptability. This includes the Agro-ecological Program launched in 2023, which contributes to increasing the water retention capacity of agricultural areas with numerous good practices.

AM