Articles
THE LAND ISSUE IN THE CENTRAL EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE: A CASE STUDY OF HUNGARY
Article number
621_2
Pages
19 – 28
Language
English
Abstract
After accession to the EU, the Central European countries (CEC) will have to take part in the structural program of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). This aims to reduce overproduction by extensification – i.e. reducing arable land, increasing grassland and supporting afforestation.
It supports the giving up of farming and the substitution of agriculture by other occupations.
It promotes the rise of production of those plants and animals which are not in overproduction, bio-production, environmental protection and the development of agriculture in less-favored areas in order to sustain their environment, or to maintain a minimum population.
Completing these aims requires fundamental changes in the thinking of Hungarian farmers and rural people.
Extensification will mean decreasing grain areas and increasing the production of those fruits and vegetables, which have good market prospects.
Furthermore, the area of grassland will be increased for more extensive livestock raising.
It has to be produced more bio-products, and developed afforestation and rural occupations other than agricultural ones.
Land has been newly re-allotted in the Central European Countries being in transition.
Millions of people received small parcels, often in several pieces.
These are mainly the heirs of the former owners, most of them working and living no more in agriculture.
Scattered land ownership is not suitable for efficient farming, since it can not be well equipped, mechanized and cultivate.
Fortunately land tenure is much more concentrated than ownership.
Some of the big farms has survived as renamed and restructured co-operatives or as different companies.
In the small-farm sector, a significant concentration has also occurred.
The concentration takes place mainly in the form of renting.
Most Central European country, including Hungary, is limiting the size of land ownership and prohibiting the buying of land by agricultural co-operatives, companies and foreigners.
The previous Hungarian government wanted to liquidate even the land rent of those Austrian farmers who farm efficiently on bigger land parcels at the Western Hungarian border having, however a secret buying contract.
Most candidate countries are asking some years postponement of buying and selling freely the land after their entrance in the EU. The hindering of the buying and selling of land hinders land concentration and the development of efficiency.
It supports the giving up of farming and the substitution of agriculture by other occupations.
It promotes the rise of production of those plants and animals which are not in overproduction, bio-production, environmental protection and the development of agriculture in less-favored areas in order to sustain their environment, or to maintain a minimum population.
Completing these aims requires fundamental changes in the thinking of Hungarian farmers and rural people.
Extensification will mean decreasing grain areas and increasing the production of those fruits and vegetables, which have good market prospects.
Furthermore, the area of grassland will be increased for more extensive livestock raising.
It has to be produced more bio-products, and developed afforestation and rural occupations other than agricultural ones.
Land has been newly re-allotted in the Central European Countries being in transition.
Millions of people received small parcels, often in several pieces.
These are mainly the heirs of the former owners, most of them working and living no more in agriculture.
Scattered land ownership is not suitable for efficient farming, since it can not be well equipped, mechanized and cultivate.
Fortunately land tenure is much more concentrated than ownership.
Some of the big farms has survived as renamed and restructured co-operatives or as different companies.
In the small-farm sector, a significant concentration has also occurred.
The concentration takes place mainly in the form of renting.
Most Central European country, including Hungary, is limiting the size of land ownership and prohibiting the buying of land by agricultural co-operatives, companies and foreigners.
The previous Hungarian government wanted to liquidate even the land rent of those Austrian farmers who farm efficiently on bigger land parcels at the Western Hungarian border having, however a secret buying contract.
Most candidate countries are asking some years postponement of buying and selling freely the land after their entrance in the EU. The hindering of the buying and selling of land hinders land concentration and the development of efficiency.
Authors
A. Burger
Keywords
CAP structural reform, free establishment, land lease, land ownership, land prices, land tenure, land use
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