Szomor Eco-Farm has implemented a comprehensive development program for its fish farming sector with the support of European Union funding. This investment included not only the reconstruction of fishponds but also the renovation of service roads and wintering ponds, as well as the acquisition of state-of-the-art production equipment.
Szomor Eco-Farm operates in a diverse range of fields, managing an organic farm, a meat farm, and a rapidly developing fish farming business. The story began in 1989 when Dezső Szomor initiated agricultural activities near Apaj, within the Kiskunság National Park, by converting low-quality arable land into grassland. Three years later, on the site of a former state farm, he developed a unique farming method that helped strengthen the local great bustard population by providing a special grass seed mix and an undisturbed environment—leading to an increase in bird numbers from 300 to over 600. In 2010, the company opened a meat processing plant specializing in salami made from Hungarian grey cattle and buffalo, marking the beginning of its rapid growth.
The current development project focused on modernizing the fish farming operations. Over the past 20 years, continuous use had caused the fishponds and equipment to age, with some machines requiring replacement while others were beyond economical repair. Frequent breakdowns slowed down work processes, posing significant challenges to efficient operations.
The most critical need for improvement was in the renovation of the wintering ponds, where the harvested fish stock rests from autumn until Christmas. Additionally, several pond embankments had weakened, and the width of dam crowns no longer met technical regulations. To address this, the dam crowns were stabilized, and some embankment sections were reinforced with a solid surface, ensuring uninterrupted transport and production throughout the year.
This development not only increases the efficiency of the farm but also ensures the long-term sustainability of environmentally friendly fish farming.
The development was implemented from EU funding in the project MAHOP-2.2.1-2016-2018-00064 under the Hungarian Fisheries Operational Programme.
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