Agricultural Minister: The mentality of 'this is how we do it' is over for good

The Hungarian Minister of Agriculture, Szabolcs Bóna, emphasized the need for changes in agricultural practices due to climate change and drought during a farmers' forum in Orosháza. He highlighted the inadequacies of the country's water retention infrastructure and the necessity for a shift towards sustainable practices. Bóna noted that the area for certain crops has drastically decreased while drought-resistant crops have increased. He mentioned plans to improve irrigation and water retention, aiming to enhance the water security of 400,000 hectares by 2029-2030. The minister also discussed the importance of adapting to changing conditions and the need for legal regulations to support these initiatives. He acknowledged the challenges posed by labor shortages, climate change, and competition from imports.