Hungary’s Minister of Agriculture István Nagy has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding and preserving the nation’s forests, recognizing them as a strategic resource for a sustainable future. Speaking on the country’s afforestation efforts, he announced a goal to increase Hungary’s forest coverage from 24 per cent to 27 per cent, underscoring the role of forests in enhancing environmental quality and climate resilience.
As part of this initiative, the government is continuing its urban tree-planting programme, which has already led to the planting of 56,000 trees in 1,500 towns and villages. The Ministry of Agriculture has allocated 2.5 billion forints to support these efforts, reflecting strong public interest in increasing green spaces within communities.
Additionally, the government is expanding its National Reforestation Programme, making 64 billion forints available for agricultural enterprises looking to participate in afforestation projects. Farmers who convert land to forest will receive compensation for lost agricultural income over a 12-year period, and area-based subsidies will remain in place. Special funding will also be provided for protective tree belts, wooded pastures, and windbreak plantations, ensuring a diverse and ecologically beneficial expansion of forested land.
Minister Nagy emphasized that the government has tripled its forestry budget compared to the previous financial cycle, dedicating 310 billion forints to the preservation and improvement of forest quality. This substantial investment is expected to boost the resilience of Hungary’s ecosystems while providing long-term economic benefits.
In recent years the most significant afforestation efforts have taken place in Szabolcs–Szatmár–Bereg and Hajdú–Bihar counties, regions that have seen notable forest growth under the programme. The government’s continued investment signals a long-term commitment to sustainable land use and environmental conservation, positioning Hungary as a leader in reforestation efforts in Central Europe.
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