Hungary’s Great Plain is facing an increasingly severe water crisis, threatening the livelihoods of farmers across the region. A new documentary explores how changing agricultural practices and restoring the landscape’s ability to retain water could help communities adapt to prolonged drought.

The situation is particularly alarming in the Homokhátság, a sandy region between the Danube and Tisza rivers, where falling groundwater levels and deteriorating soil conditions are making traditional farming increasingly difficult. For local farmers, adapting to the changing climate is becoming a matter of economic survival.

These challenges are at the centre of a new WWF Hungary documentary, premiered online by 24.hu . The final instalment of the three-part series brings together scientists and a local farmer to examine whether agriculture can remain economically viable as water becomes increasingly scarce..

A region losing its water

The Homokhátság has been struggling with water shortages for decades. Climate change, alterations to the natural landscape, intensive water use and drainage infrastructure have all contributed to its deterioration.

As we previously reported, less than 3% of Hungary’s arable land is irrigated, leaving farmers particularly vulnerable to prolonged drought. A recent policy study also estimated that the record-breaking drought of 2022 caused more than HUF 1 trillion in damage to Hungarian agriculture.

According to an earlier instalment of the documentary series, approximately 6–8 billion cubic metres of groundwater have been lost from the region over the past 15 years. Wells are drying up, while increasingly prolonged dry periods are putting additional pressure on agricultural production.

The consequences extend beyond individual farms. As soils lose moisture and vegetation deteriorates, the landscape becomes less resilient to further drought. WWF Hungary has warned that water scarcity is threatening both agriculture and local livelihoods, making changes to water management and land use increasingly urgent.

Hungarian farmer warns: current methods are reaching their limits

The documentary features farmer Zoltán Szabó, who describes the difficulties of maintaining profitable agricultural production under increasingly challenging environmental conditions. His experiences illustrate why farmers may need to reconsider practices that have shaped their businesses for years.

“We have reached our limits. From here, things can only get worse. If we want to maintain current production levels, we must build up our soils, not destroy them,” Szabó says in the film.

The documentary also features hydrogeologist Judit Szőnyi, ecologist Csaba Tölgyesi and geographer János Rakonczai, who examine the region’s problems from different scientific perspectives.

Rather than focusing exclusively on irrigation, the experts explore how agricultural practices could help retain moisture, protect soil quality and make better use of the water already available in the landscape.

Related: Hungarian agriculture, as we know it, is nearing the end – but researchers already have a plan

Could regenerative farming help save the Great Plain?

Among the approaches examined in the film are regenerative agriculture, minimal soil disturbance and the cultivation of more drought-tolerant crops. Maintaining healthy soils is particularly important because their structure and organic matter influence how effectively they absorb and retain moisture.

The documentary also considers whether some areas should move away from intensive crop production towards grassland management or extensive livestock farming.

Such changes would require farmers to adapt their business models, but could offer alternatives in places where conventional production is becoming increasingly difficult. Water retention is another central issue. The series’ previous episode highlighted community-led initiatives that seek to keep water in the landscape rather than allowing it to drain away rapidly through existing channels.

Some projects have already demonstrated how previously dry areas can recover when water is retained, with wildlife returning to restored habitats.

A documentary about Hungary’s changing landscape

The three-part series was developed under the MOSAIC project, which examines how land-use decisions can better account for climate change and biodiversity.

Its first episode explored the causes of the Homokhátság’s water crisis, while the second focused on practical solutions and community action. The newly released final instalment shifts attention to farming and the difficult choices facing those who depend on the land.

By combining scientific explanations with personal stories, the filmmakers aim to show not only what Hungary risks losing, but also how changing agricultural practices could help preserve the region for future generations.

Read more from us: Hungary’s agriculture faces major crisis: Less than 3% of arable land is irrigated