Lincolnshire farmers learn more about farming in Hungary
Ten farmers from Lincolnshire, all members of Centaur Grain Marketing Ltd, have just returned from a study tour to Hungary envious of the degree of optimism that exists within the agricultural sector of this former Communist state.
The tour, which was organised through Centaur Grain's office at Boston, provided the group with the opportunity to assess the health of the agricultural industry in what is widely recognised to be one of the most developed of the Central European countries. During their visit, they had the opportunity to study crop agronomy, assess the economics of farming there and evaluate the level of competition from a country that is assuming increasing significance within the European Union.
Hungary was one of 10 countries from Central Europe and the Mediterranean that signed the accession treaty in April 2003, and 83.4% of those who voted in the referendum did so in favour of their country joining the European Union. That support has translated into a deep-seated enthusiasm for the EU and delegates returned home impressed by how well their Hungarian counterparts have made the transition to life in the market economy after decades under Communism. The visiting group was also taken aback by the level of importance with which agricultural is regarded by the Hungarian Government and envious of the support the country's farmers receive in the form of cash incentives from the European Union and assistance for capital projects from their own government.
The study tour also included a visit to Budapest, where delegates met with a former Hungarian Secretary of State for Agriculture, who underlined the importance of agriculture to the economy and the country's commitment to the industry
Chris Martin, Centaur Tour Leader, described the visit to the Lake Balaton region as 'extremely worthwhile' and said that another tour will be organised next year. Richard Casswell, Chairman of Boston-based Lingrain and Chairman of Centaur Grain's Producers Council, said it was good to visit a country where, unlike the UK, so much support is available to help farmers and so much optimism exists for the future of the agricultural industry.
One of the country's largest farmer-owned businesses, Centaur Grain is committed to being the most professional grain-marketing organisation in the UK. The company markets 1,700,000 tonnes of committed grain, pulses and oilseeds annually on behalf of more than 1800 shareholder-members, who farm in an area from Yorkshire to the Isle of Wight.
