Mr. Fazekas said that the sector’s performance is constantly increasing, animal husbandry has increased by 40 percent and crop production has increased by 63 percent compared to 2010.

“Farmers, food processors and everyone who works in agriculture have played a key role in expanding rural employment”, he added.

He noted that in 2010 the most important task of the Ministry was to put rural Hungary back on its feet in cooperation with farmers and the Association of Hungarian Farmers and Cooperatives (MAGOSZ) to enable Hungarian agriculture to enter a growth trajectory and provide even more farmers and family farms with a source of income.

He emphasised that the domestic and international prestige of Hungarian food has been restored in recent years. Hungary exports to more than 100 countries, and agriculture and the food industry play an outstanding role in generating the country’s export surplus.

In addition, Hungary is represented at international exhibitions and the biannual National Agricultural and Food Exhibition (OMÉK) is once again being held in Hungary. The Minister also said that 200,000 hectares of state land had been sold within the framework of the “Land for Farmers” programme, thanks to which 30,000 Hungarian farmers, one-third of whom are young farmers, have acquired their own land.

Minister of State for Agricultural and Rural Development Zsolt Miklós Kis pointed out that thanks to the various subsidies, more than 2,000 agricultural enterprises are able to develop their capacities and facilities.

Prime Ministerial Commissioner Zsolt Nyitrai said that the publication of the results achieved in agricultural policy over the past 8 years will be presented to Hungarian farmers during a nationwide roadshow by agricultural politicians.

President of the National Chamber of Agriculture (NAK) Balázs Györffy noted that several programmes included in the publication were initiated or supported by the Chamber of Agriculture.

President of the Hungarian Association of Hungarian Farmers’ Associations (MAGOSZ) István Jakab said cooperation between the sector’s businesses, professional organisations and advocacy groups in recent years has been excellent.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.