December 10, 2022 - ForestPress
 In the continuation of the Program, Hungarian settlements with less than 10,000 inhabitants can once again apply for trees.

10,000 row trees will be available, of which 2,000 will be delivered in the spring of 2023, and 8,000 in the fall planting period, Minister of Agriculture István Nagy announced on his social media page. The head of the ministry said that the Settlement Afforestation Program was announced by the Ministry of Agriculture in 2020 as part of the National Afforestation Program. The purpose of this, in addition to greening and improving the environmental condition of rural settlements, is to popularize the afforestation subsidies of the Rural Development Program. The government aims to increase the area covered by forests from 24 to 27 percent by 2030. The success of the National Afforestation Program is also indicated by the fact that, since its announcement, Hungarian farmers applied to plant more than 42,000 hectares of new forest. In the two phases of the Settlement Afforestation Program, a total of 36,000 trees were planted in more than 1,350 settlements, for which the Managing Authority of the Rural Development Program provided HUF 1.5 billion in support. The Settlement Afforestation Program is thus the largest inland afforestation initiative since the system change, the minister informed. The trees are container-sized or ball-bearing, with a trunk circumference of 10-14 centimeters and a height of 2-5 meters including the ball. In order to ensure professional planting, we also provide support stakes, covering mulch and protective grids for each tree. The trees increase the variety of habitats in the settlement and will also serve as a home for other living creatures. All applicants will also receive a birdhouse as a gift - stressed István Nagy. He added that those interested can choose from 13 species of wood, as long as the stock lasts. The list includes tree species that can be successfully planted under different growing conditions. Participation in the program is subject to prior registration. The planned course of application and program implementation starts with registration between January 10-20, 2023. Online applications can be submitted between January 23-31, 2023. The trees will be delivered between February and April 2023 for the plantings of the spring period, and between August and November for the plantings of the autumn period, provided by KEFAG Kiskunsági Forestry and Wood Co., Ltd. The program is professionally supported by the National Forestry Association.