Spatial distribution of the 2022 “biblical-scale” drought in Békés County

Experiences of some farms in relation to the severe drought

Absztrakt

The purpose of my research was to illustrate the spatial distribution of the 2022 “Biblical” national drought in Békés County. We found that 75 settlements in Békés County submitted 7288 reports. The data shows that settlements with larger populations also submitted more damage reports. We collected this to assist the work of the decision-makers whom are associated with rural development and rural economy research.

To collect the data needed to confirm my hypothesis, I conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with local farmers and analysed the spatial distribution of the drought with previously gathered area data and application data included in my analysis from the Hungarian agricultural Payment Agency and the so-called intermediate body, that is the Hungarian State Treasury and the Békés County Government Office that was provided by my co-author.

Both the interviews and the analysed data revealed that there were additional consequences and problems related to the great drought (continued lack of precipitation, the winters are milder even by modern standards, the rainy and dry periods became increasingly erratic and the soils capability to retain water has decreased). It should be noted, that all interview participants are either actively taking steps or have tried to implement methods and techniques that try to mitigate or reverse the harmful effects of such phenomena, with varying results. The human and economic factors still persist, and hamper their efforts to eliminate the existing and emerging problems, however there have been both negative and positive changes related to these issues.

I confirmed my hypothesis: the lingering after effects of the drought can be still felt and those farmers, whom live in the area are actively working to prevent further problems and repair these lasting damages, with varying degrees of success. We also learned that the drought’s impact was widespread but uneven, with certain settlements experiencing far greater agricultural losses. The spatial distribution of claims closely followed patterns of precipitation deficit and heat.