Deep Roots

[

] 236

Strong family farms are the key for

developing agriculture and rural areas

Dr Sándor Fazekas, Minister of Agriculture of Hungary

amily farms are the backbone of Hungarian agri-

culture. The national economy benefits greatly

from family farming as a contributor both to gross

domestic product and to the creation and maintenance of

public goods. Recognizing their importance, it is a prior-

ity for the Hungarian Government to create an enabling

policy environment in favour of family farming and to

provide adequate support to maintain and strengthen this

farming method.

Family farmers are the guardians of sustainability and the

protectors of local biodiversity. It is in their own interest to

utilize natural resources – such as land and water – responsi-

bly and preserve them for the next generations. They produce

high quality, delicious, healthy food and sell it mainly locally to

meet the demand of a growing number of conscious consum-

ers. It is in the interest of the whole of society to sustain these

production methods, combining traditional knowledge with

innovations and new technologies which are proven to be safe.

One of the strengths of Hungarian family farming is produc-

ing genetically modified organism (GMO)-free food. Family

farmers play a key role in keeping traditions alive, as well as in

the transmission of traditional knowledge to their successors.

There is no single definition for family farms in Hungary as

they differ greatly, as much in size as in their management.

Family farmers can be – among other things – individual

farmers, part-time farmers, individual entrepreneurs, limited

liability companies and farmers’ cooperatives. Family farming

also contributes to economic development in rural areas by

creating rural jobs and securing rural livelihoods. To maintain

rural employment and to increase the economic value and

resilience of farms, it is essential to diversify activities.

Strengthening rural economies is among the main objec-

tives of the new Rural Development Programme of Hungary

prepared by the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture. It

supports farmers in providing fresh, tasty, quality food for the

Urgent action is needed to ensure that farming and rural lifestyles again

become a desirable option for young people

Locally produced nutritious food is provided to children through school

feeding programmes

Image: Bálint Illés, Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary

Image: Péter Zentai

eep

oots