Kärnten farming chief urges insurance against drought damage

Farmers in the Austrian state of Kärnten should take out hail and drought insurance as drought damage increases, Agriculture Chamber President Siegfried Huber said, according to ORF. A digital marketplace has also been launched to help address shortages of animal feed.

At least several dozen farmers have reportedly found supplies through the marketplace, the Agriculture Chamber said on Monday. Huber said all farmers should take out the insurance in future, noting that payouts had helped affected farms recover.

Because of the budget situation, the federal government will not be able to provide assistance every year, Huber said. He also called for political support to reduce bureaucracy at European Union level.

One month before elections at the end of October, Huber gave a positive assessment of the chamber’s current term despite economic and psychological pressures on farmers in Kärnten.

The chamber held more than 2,000 educational events over the past five years. Nearly 7,000 of Kärnten’s 18,000 farms use its services each year. The chamber plans to make its services more digital, including through an app, to reach farmers who otherwise face long journeys for training and advice.

Three veterinarians from Romania have also been brought to Kärnten in cooperation with the state. However, the shortage of veterinarians for livestock remains severe, the chamber said.