New opportunity for farmers to use water replenishment for ecological purposes

By: STA Date: 2025. 02. 28. 10:00

Since the beginning of the year, it has been possible to flood agricultural areas with water for periodic purposes, and the Ministry of Agriculture has developed and introduced the concept of an area used for water replenishment for ecological purposes in the regulations, announced Zsolt Feldman, State Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development. This opportunity is in line with and also helps implement the “Water into the Landscape!” program launched by the water sector.

(Photo: Pixabay)

Zsolt Feldman drew attention to the fact that from this year, one of the specific options for land used temporarily for non-agricultural purposes is water replenishment for ecological purposes. This means the periodic flooding of agricultural areas with a water right permit. In order to ensure sustainable water resource management, the process can take place with the purpose of water replenishment or infiltration from surface water surplus or free water resources (not flood water), or by gravity drainage. According to the State Secretary, agricultural areas affected by ecological water replenishment will remain eligible for support in the agricultural support system even if water is temporarily supplied to them for the purpose of water replenishment or water infiltration, as the so-called minimum requirements must be considered to have been met during the period of water coverage.

The new regulation will appear within the framework of this year’s agricultural support decree package

The concept of ecological water replenishment was introduced by Government Decree 147/2010. (IV. 29.) on the general rules for activities and facilities serving the utilization, protection and prevention of damage to waters on 1 January 2025. The regulation is in line with the “Water into the Landscape” initiative launched by the water sector, within the framework of which the water sector is waiting for applications from farmers who would like to retain water on their land and announce their areas intended for this purpose on the online platform created for this purpose – highlighted Zsolt Feldman.