Gulyas: Hungary needs strong agriculture, even in the 21st century
Agriculture accounts for more than 5 percent of Hungary’s economic output, and the future of the countryside heavily depends on the sector, Gulyas said at the programme held in a run-up to the August 20 celebrations of Hungary’s statehood.
Praising the “unique value” of Hungarian wheat, Gulyas said that peace and security today were under threat, “which is why what we produce ourselves is gaining in importance”.
Istvan Jakab, the deputy speaker of parliament, said that Bread of Hungarians was not simply a programme but “the true Hungarian sentiment” signifying that “Hungarians can count on one each other”. “We can show that we are together, that we can live the joy of belonging together, as we can share our knowledge and information that helps us,” said Jakab, who is head of farmers’ association Magosz, a co-organiser of the event.
Deputy speaker Istvan Jakab, the head of Magosz, said that the Bread of Hungarians scheme demonstrated “a true Hungarian sense of life”, showing that people could rely on each other, experience being together and share knowledge and information.
“This programme gives faith and strength, and regardless of the hardships we face and how much they try to manipulate us in the Carpathian Basin, we have persevered and sill persevere,” he said.
MEP Balazs Gyorffy, the head of the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture, said the chamber joined the Bread of Hungarians scheme 10 years ago, and it had since grown to become one of the most important all-Hungarian movements, with the volume of wheat collected growing from 10 tonnes to 1,000 tonnes.
Minister of Agriculture Istvan Nagy said this year’s harvest had been average compared with previous years. Beyond Hungary’s own demands, several million tonnes of produce has been harvested this summer which can be used for export, he added. The average amount of autumn wheat harvested per hectare reached 5.8 tonnes, which was slightly more than last year’s average and that of the past five years. He added that the scheme was an example of cooperation, solidarity and supporting those in need.
