Agricultural and regional development programmes in Hungary (2002-2013) – results achieved and expected

Weisz, Miklós – Kovács, László

Keywords: regional development, SAPARD, AVOP, NVT, ÚMVP

The resources available in SAPARD, the Agricultural and Regional Development Operative Programme (AVOP) and the National Regional Development Plan (NVT) served to initiate the structural transformation and modernisation of the Hungarian agricultural sector and the regional economy. These resources were modest, however, in comparison to the realisation of the necessary changes. The experiences of the three programmes show that earlier fears in respect of the utilisation of development resources were not borne out; occasionally the resource requirements of submitted applications and subsidy requests significantly exceeded the projected budget. The main goals and priorities were mostly achieved, although disproportion appeared in the realisation of some measures, requiring amendments.
Various authors highlight different elements of Hungary’s agricultural problems. It can be agreed, however, that the primarily produce production role of agriculture is being increasingly overshadowed, as attested by both international and domestic data series. Alongside this, however, functions such as rational farming using natural resources, landscape conservation, and alternative activities are coming to the fore. All this needs to take place in parallel to regional development work, for which the funding appears to be secure for the next seven years within the framework of the New Hungary Regional Development Programme (ÚMVP).

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