Agrokomplex fair opens

More than 100,000 people are expected to visit the displays of around 500 exhibitors at the Agrokomplex agricultural fair. The largest presentation of entrepreneurs in agriculture was opened in Nitra, west Slovakia, on Thursday. The agricultural fair traditionally takes place at the end of the harvest. "This year's yields are at the five-year average level, and they provide a basis for optimism - there will be enough grain this year again. Crop production is reaching values that provide self-sufficiency", said Prime Minister Robert Fico during the opening of the fair. Nevertheless, he noted that the extreme drought in June and July may have damaged crops that are harvested in the autumn, so lower yields than usual are expected then. "We have to be ready to restructure agricultural production and use irrigation much more", added the Prime Minister. At the same time there's a need to restructure agriculture in Slovakia so that it can adapt to climate change. This should include selecting plants that are better able to resist higher temperatures and a lack of water, said Robert Fico. The exposition site of more than 30,000 square metres features exhibitors from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands, Bulgaria, Serbia and Slovenia.