Introducing sustainable farming systems in the Tisza catchment, Hungary

Image of a map showing the Tisza catchment with a smaller map showing the location of the catchment within Hungary.

Area characterisation:

The Tisza basin is the largest sub-basin in the Danube River Basin. The Tisza was strongly regulated, floodplains were cut off from the river in the 19–20th centuries. Landscapes are dominated by intensive arable farming and draining the waters dries the landscapes.

Affected areas: Pilot Site A approx. 300 ha, Pilot Site B approx. 1,500 ha, Pilot Site C approx. 38,000 ha (27 municipalities, mostly belonging to the Vásárosnamény district by the river Tisza)

Objective:

Implementing floodplain farming systems in multiple sites along the Tisza River, thereby making land use more sustainable and in line with nature conservation efforts.

Start/end date:

1 October 2021 - 30 September 2025

Potential impacts/benefits:

floodway used for drought risk reduction, preventing drying of habitats
floodplain restoration / reconnection
ecological status restoration
enhancing biodiversity
wetland reconversion
enhance recreation potential for eco-tourism

Actions:

Planning and implementing a floodplain farming system in the floodway of river Tisza near Nagykörü based on water retention in former wetlands, and restoring habitats (Pilot Site A)
A local farmer irrigation community will be established at another site, in the floodway fringe of the Tisza to create the infrastructure for providing water for farming and habitat restoration, reconnecting former floodplains to the river (Pilot Site B)
A regular inundation regime within the Bereg Flood Risk Reduction Reservoir System (Plot Site C) will be established, reconnecting the floodplain and enhancing biodiversity, while at the same time leading to a transition of land use by introducing floodplain farming