Debrecen4U
June 1, 2026
Hungarian Agriculture Already Completely Reshaped by Climate Change, Experts at University of Debrecen Warn
Organised by the Faculty of Agricultural and Food Sciences and Environmental Management of the University of Debrecen together with the Agricultural Research Institutes and Experimental Farms, this year’s Wheat Conference focused on the impacts of drought and water scarcity, reports unideb.hu.
According to experts, a significant part of eastern Hungary is experiencing an exceptional lack of rainfall. Measurements taken at the Látókép Crop Production Experimental Station indicate that only around 10 per cent of the average spring precipitation has fallen this year.
Professor Emeritus Péter Pepó emphasised that, as a result of climate change, not only summer crops but also autumn-sown cereals are becoming increasingly exposed to drought conditions. He stated that the key to the future of agriculture is adaptation, with appropriate variety selection and agronomic solutions playing a major role, including irrigation, crop rotation, and modern soil cultivation techniques. He highlighted that, while approximately 35 percent of arable land is irrigated worldwide, that figure in Hungary is only around 2 per cent, and the condition of the infrastructure is also unfavourable. In his view, irrigation development projects need to be accelerated and administrative burdens reduced.
Zoltán Lakatos, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hajdú Gabona, said that because of the drought, this year’s wheat harvest may not even reach 5 million tonnes. He added that strong HUF exchange rates and weak export prospects could keep procurement prices low. According to the expert, the structure of Hungarian agriculture is also undergoing a striking transformation. This year, for the first time, the area sown with sunflowers will exceed that of maize nationwide, clearly demonstrating that maize cultivation is becoming increasingly difficult in Hungary.
The conference also covered agronomic technologies suitable for drought conditions and practical experiences in cereal cultivation. In keeping with tradition, the event concluded with a field demonstration at the University of Debrecen’s Látókép Experimental Station.
Source: dehir.hu | Photo credit: Debrecen városa (Facebook)
