Announcing Farminar 2: Precision agriculture in Hungary

The Embassy of the Netherlands in Hungary and the Hungarian Society for Precision Agriculture are co-organizing the next Farminar with the theme “precision agriculture in Hungary”.

Every year, the effects of climate change are felt more and more in European agriculture. This spring Hungary experienced spring frosts, droughts, then violent storms and high amounts of precipitation in the early summer rainy season.

In the coming years, extreme heat events, water-stressed periods, an increased volatility in temperature and precipitation can be expected to hamper crop productivity. Weather extremities in the growing season as well as environmental change can also lead to the proliferation of certain species, such as insects and other pests, invasive weeds, and diseases, all of which can, in turn, affect crop yields.

Today, agriculture more and more needs to adapt to the changing environment in order to withstand the extreme conditions. Old practices, traditions and conventional methods are less and less working.

Precision agriculture, precision farming methods, smart solutions – These are usually associated with large holdings, and grand, nation-level programs. However, family farms and small holds can play a key role in adapting precision methods, tackling modern issues and rising to modern challenges.

Small holds and family farms are the backbone of agriculture – This is true as much for Hungary as it is for the Netherlands. With the proper information channels, through dispersing knowledge among the stakeholders of the rural agroeconomy, we can arm small hold farmers so that they can meet the challenges of modern climate change, environmental degradation and the plethora of issues that our modern times present. As we learn more and more every day about the extent, the long-term effects and the depth of the impact that climate change has on our natural environment, it is now paramount that we provide smallholders and family farms with the necessary information, knowledge and tools that they need to make their production more climate-resilient, more sustainable and profitable.

How can precision agriculture tools help family farms deal with modern challenges? Where to start?

Find out more at the next Farminar!

Date: Tuesday, January 12, 2021.
Location: Online, via Zoom (Registration necessary)
Language: English, Hungarian (The event will be simultaneously translated in two channels)

Program:

10:00 - 10:05	H. E. René van Hell, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Hungary - Introduction
10:05 – 10:15	Dr. Gábor Milics, Hungarian Society for Precision Agriculture, Dr. Márton Vona, Csernozjom Kft. - Precision agriculture and climate change and the role of family farms
10:15 – 10:25	Dr. László Hayde, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education – About water management and climate change in agricultural land
10:25 - 10:35	Jan Kamp, Wageningen University - The role of family farms in precision agriculture
10:35 – 10:45	Dr. István Borsiczky, Tomelilla Kft. – How to start precision agriculture?
10:45- 10:55	Dr. Tibor András Cseh, Association of Hungarian Farmers' Clubs and Farmers' Cooperatives  – Family farms in Hungary and their importance
10:55- 11:05	István Tresó, K&H Bank – Financing precision agriculture in family farms
11:05 - 11:15	Q&A

To register, please send an email with your name and organization to the Agriculture Office of the Netherlands Embassy at bdp-lnv@minbuza.nl