Békés County corn production declines due to climate change

Corn production in Békés County, Hungary, is facing a significant decline due to climate change and persistent lack of precipitation. József Bozó, Vice President of the Békés County Directorate of the National Agricultural Chamber (NAK), reported that corn cultivation area has dropped from 95,000 hectares in 2004 to just 34,000 hectares this year.

Due to reduced sowing areas and low yields, further decreases in cultivation area are expected next year. While Hungary's total corn production of 1.5 million tons this year necessitates imports to meet ethanol plant capacities, a decrease in pig populations has simultaneously reduced the demand for animal feed.

Other crops are seeing shifts in the region; sunflower cultivation has doubled and autumn barley has tripled over the last 20 years, while sugar beet production has essentially ceased. Farmers are turning to sunflowers to maintain income, though drought conditions have led to a drastic reduction in fertilizer use. Challenges remain regarding irrigation, as drip irrigation systems can cost up to 50 million forints per hectare, and the region lacks sufficient surface water despite high soil quality.