Agriculture in Germany

Germany ranks second in Europe for the production of agricultural products after France. Animal husbandry produces 80% of commercial output, for its needs, plant growing: a greater number of acreage is allocated to forage crops than for food crops. However, all the same, fodder grain is imported in large quantities, especially corn. Agriculture in Germany is a high-intensity production. Here, more fertilizers are applied to each hectare of areas than in the USA, France and England.

Therefore, own production satisfies demand for milk by 100%, meat by 90%, sugar by 85% and by wheat by 80%. The most favorable conditions were created for dairy farming in the foothills of the Alps. Here in the local meadows about 35% of the country's dairy cows are fed. The dairy sector is also well developed in the north of the country in the coastal areas. Agriculture in Germany pays great attention to pig production, the country ranks first in Europe in terms of pigs (more than 20 million).

In order to maintain the high profitability of the country's agriculture, plant growing develops as an auxiliary branch of animal husbandry: 40% of the entire agricultural area falls on meadows and pastures, oats, rye, potatoes and fodder crops are also grown for livestock. Among the crops in the agricultural production the main is wheat. The main grain belt is located from Schleswig-Holstein on the eastern shore to the western Cologne-Achenskaya "bay". Another belt for growing wheat is the Danube plain in Bavaria.

Of course, one can not but note the cultivation of barley, which is designed specifically for brewing, it is cultivated in the South-West and Bavaria. In the same areas are located and the largest plantation of hops. Germany occupies one of the first places in the world in growing hop. Beer here is considered a national drink, its consumption per capita is about 145 liters. The main task that the German agriculture sets itself is to increase its competitiveness in the world agro-industrial production. To this end, the production of high-quality, typically German food products is stimulated, resource-saving technologies in agriculture are used, and the large potential of the agro-industrial complex is used in the form of renewable energy sources.

In terms of agricultural production, livestock production and grain production, Germany is second only to France in Europe, and is the number one producer of milk. This is also possible due to the fact that the efficiency of agricultural production in the country is much higher than the average level for the European Union. The only thing that Germany's agriculture lags behind is the average yield of sugar beet and corn. The state bodies in the field of agriculture of the country solve questions on regulation of the markets of agricultural production, on change of the agrarian structure, financing and crediting of agriculture.

The German Government rendered great financial assistance to the East German lands in the process of their adaptation and integration into the European Community. In addition to the tasks of producing food products, the agricultural sector of the country performs many additional tasks. This is the protection and preservation of nature, as the basis for the life of the population of the country, the protection of natural landscapes of residential areas and places for mass recreation, the supply of raw agricultural materials for the needs of the industry.