Hungary – here in the heart of Europe – is traditionally characterised by agricultural production. Today, 55% of the country’s land (5.1 million hectares) is agricultural, most of which is arable, but fruit and vine growing is also a priority. The two main rivers – the Danube and Tisza – are a major determinant not only of the country’s agriculture but also of its society and culture. These two rivers, together with the wind, have played the most important role in shaping the surface of the Hungarian Great Plain (Alföld in Hungarian).
The Great Plain is the country’s largest landscape unit. Homesteads (’tanya’ in Hungarian), villages of a few thousand inhabitants and large cities can all be found in the Great Plain, often very far apart. Agriculture still plays an important role in the lives of the people who live here, who farm almost 4 million hectares. The flat areas, formed from the river beds and covered with marshland, have produced the best quality soils a long time ago. Despite environmental changes and economic shifts over recent decades, farming continues to provide livelihoods, albeit with growing challenges linked to climate change and labour shortages.

Pastures and livestock farming along the former fishing villages were, once upon a time, more important than they are today. More and more people are abandoning farming and there has been a significant change in land use in recent years. The area of arable land has decreased, while the share of land set aside has increased. Tourism has taken over the main role in the area, rich in thermal and spa waters.
Climate change challenges
The Great Plain is the hottest and sunniest region in the country. It has the hottest summers, but also the most extreme winter weather. The central Plain receives the least rainfall. The hot summer months are often accompanied by prolonged drought. The area between Danube and Tisza called Homokhátság is particularly exposed to climate change. It is a very vulnerable region in terms of desertification. The area is frequently affected by severe drought and groundwater depletion is also a problem. In the past, much of this region was periodically or permanently covered by water, but today, the declining groundwater levels and arid conditions pose significant threats to agriculture. The impact of climate change on Hungarian farming is becoming increasingly evident, with unpredictable weather patterns and declining yields putting pressure on farmers.
Ageing farmers and depopulation
Increasingly difficult conditions, drought, unpredictable rainfall patterns and declining crop yields are all contributing to the region’s depopulation and underdevelopment. The local communities are facing the challenges of ageing farmers, leading to labour shortages and reducing future opportunities. Migration away from the area and ageing cause a declining population, which puts pressure on labour markets and creates new challenges. This is a long-term trend that started several decades ago in all of Europe.
These long-term demographic shifts, coupled with the effects of climate change, highlight the urgent need for modern solutions.
Digitalisation among Hungarian farmers
One of the key responses to climate change and labour shortages in Hungarian farming is the adoption of digital technologies. According to 2023 data, 7 out of 10 farms (69%) in Hungary are still collecting farm data on paper, while 20% do not collect data in any way.
Even the simplest digital technologies are not fully adopted in domestic farms. Only 38% of farms use some kind of digital tool. Their use decreases with the age of farm managers, but increases with the level of agricultural education.
12% of farms use tools related to precision farming. One of the reasons for the relatively low uptake of precision farming is that it relies on resource-intensive and knowledge-based technologies. It involves high investment costs that pay off in the long term and only pay off above a certain farm size.
Perspectives of PHITO in Hungary

Phito is for those who, with a small to medium sized farm, cannot invest in a high-cost digital tool, but find it essential to use cost-effective methods and harness the power of digital technologies to run their business. We, the PHITO team at ÖMKi, are also working to enable farmers in the Great Plain and everywhere in Hungary to keep up with developments by giving them access to community-based knowledge sharing, resources and services.
Conclusion
The impact of climate change on Hungarian farming presents significant challenges, from extreme weather patterns to labour shortages. However, the adoption of digitalisation and farming technology provides opportunities to enhance efficiency and sustainability. By embracing modern solutions such as PHITO, Hungarian farmers can adapt to changing conditions and ensure the future of agriculture in the Great Plain.
The Hungarian Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (ÖMKi) – Budapest, Hungary