Comparison between key crop production and farmers' perspectives in Eastern Hungary: A regional study

Abstract

<abstract> <p>Agricultural production and technology are crucial in supplying agricultural commodities and ensuring food security. Farmers are pivotal in this process. However, there is a noticeable gap in research: While numerous researchers focus on the national perspective, there is a relative scarcity of research conducted at the regional level. This lack of regional-scale studies highlights the need for more localized research to understand and address the unique agricultural challenges and opportunities in specific areas. We aimed to analyze wheat and maize production in a county in Eastern Hungary. We also aimed to delve into farmers' perspectives regarding the agricultural sector and research. Key findings included the average maize, with a yield at 5,896.2 ± 1,624.2kg/hectare (2000–2020), which appeared to be superior to wheat, which had a mean yield of 4,135.7 kg/hectare with a standard deviation of 788.4. The Tukey test confirmed significant differences between wheat and maize in terms of harvested area, production, and yield, highlighting distinct performance variations of these crops in the region. Moreover, we identified a weak but significant correlation between the value of the golden crown and aspects such as cost-effective crop protection, reduced tillage costs, and increased production value and income. A similar weak significant relationship was found between farmers' age and research topics related to increasing sales revenue. We aimed to analyze wheat and maize production in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County in Eastern Hungary. We found that 58% of farmers did not maintain accurate records of production-related costs and income, which could have significant implications for revenue calculation and decision-making. The outcomes of this research are instrumental for decision-makers, providing insights that could guide the development and implementation of agricultural policies and practices at a regional scale.</p> </abstract>