From the program launched two years ago, 40-50 billion HUF have been called and committed by the actors of the agrarian sector, and from this year another tens of billions of HUF can help irrigation development.

Last year's drought shock highlighted that reducing production risks is in the basic interest of every economy. This also includes the fact that irrigation must be taken more seriously than before. The country should at least reach the level it showed in the 80s. At that time, the conditions for irrigation were theoretically established on 400,000 hectares - today, farmers have valid water rights permits for a total of 200,000 hectares, but they actually irrigate 100,000-120,000 hectares. Thus, irrigated lands make up no more than 2-3 percent of the total agricultural area of ​​around 5 million hectares.

In Europe, the average rate is around 8 percent, and if we reach 400,000 hectares, we will also belong to this level. The latter number is also included in the developed official irrigation development plans: according to the government's ideas, the actual irrigated agricultural areas should be doubled by 2024, i.e. expanded to 200 thousand hectares, and by 2030 reach at least 350 thousand hectares.

The irrigation system created on one farm - or by combining several - is quite expensive, it can cost up to 3 million per hectare, and the investment must pay off. In addition to the previous 71 billion frame, from 2023 another HUF 100 billion will help producers and irrigation communities. (Of the latter, 147 are already operating in the country.) Constantly available irrigation water is necessary for the operation of equipment in fields and plantations. For this purpose, it is best not to use the water supply deep in the ground, but wherever possible, it is advisable to direct the water close to the watering place.

But this is no longer the farmer's task. The Ministry of Agriculture has compiled a list of 136 items for the main improvements. This part deals with the modernization of the system of main and side canals, reservoirs, culverts, liftgates, sluices, and dams. Moreover, in recent years, modernization work has already been carried out on these in many places in the country. Domestic state resources must be used for these purposes.

Source: Szabadföld

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