In Lithuania, the cultivation of pumpkins has seen an expansion, with the total area dedicated to pumpkin fields increasing by a third this year. Despite this growth, it is noted that a portion of the farmers engage in cultivating these yellow vegetables more for obtaining subsidies than for actual production yields.
The Dijokai family farm, located in the District of Radviliškis, boasts a record-breaking harvest this year, with around 70 tonnes of pumpkins per hectare across their 9-hectare farm. Žygimantas Dijokas mentioned that the majority of their pumpkins are processed into seed oil, with only a small fraction being designated for consumption or as Halloween decorations. Additionally, some pumpkins are distributed for free during the autumn season to visitors attending various exhibitions or participating in farm activities.
Martynas Laukaitis, another farmer from the District of Šakiai, has already stored his pumpkin harvest, preparing it for the market. Laukaitis highlighted the importance of selecting expensive seeds for growing aesthetically pleasing and uniformly sized pumpkins. His yield this year amounted to approximately 600 kilograms, with contracts already established with buyers.
However, the increase in land used for pumpkin cultivation, reaching nearly 2,000 hectares, has raised concerns regarding the motive behind this expansion. The Vegetable Growers Association has pointed out that many farmers may be driven by European Union subsidies rather than market sales, leading to inefficiencies and potential waste of resources. Zofija Cironkienė, an expert with the Association, criticized the practice of "subsidy farming" and suggested eliminating subsidies for pumpkin cultivation to discourage unproductive farming practices. Despite these concerns, the Agriculture Ministry has not announced plans to exclude pumpkin farmers from receiving subsidies but is considering implementing stricter controls.
This year, the vegetable farming sector is set to receive over 2 million euros in support, with initial estimates indicating a payment of around 420 euros per hectare.
Source: LRT