Slovak Agriculture Faces Drought and Dairy Challenges Amid Policy Discussions

Slovakia's agricultural sector is currently facing significant challenges due to severe drought conditions and a concurrent dairy crisis. This was highlighted by Premier Robert Fico of the Smer-SD party during his address at the National Field Days event held in Dolna Krupa, Trnava region.

Premier Fico called upon the Agriculture Ministry to implement all necessary measures to mitigate the impact of the drought on the sector. He stressed the importance of making legal concessions to support farmers through subsidies and other forms of aid, as the current legislative framework permits these actions.

Furthermore, Fico mentioned the potential for increased financial allocations towards irrigation systems as a means to combat the drought. He also noted that the government has approached the European Union for assistance from the EU reserve fund to address these issues.

In his speech, Fico expressed a desire for agricultural policy to become a distinct chapter in the forthcoming EU budget. He opposed any capping of direct payments, arguing that Slovakia's agriculture is characterized by larger farms and units. He intends to seek a unified position on this matter with other Visegrad Four countries, including the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland.

The National Field Days exhibition, where these issues were discussed, spans 32 hectares and features 47 companies showcasing various crop varieties, plant nutrition products, and crop protection solutions. As part of the exhibition, 720 demonstration plots have been prepared, featuring 540 different varieties, according to Peter Hudec, the head manager of the event. Agricultural machinery and other products are also being displayed by 118 companies.

The event, which started on Tuesday, is scheduled to continue through Wednesday, June 10th.