From the viewpoint of competitiveness and effective economy, the basis of profitable cereal production is the most natural and economical use of scarce resources, cost optimization and revenue increase. Influental factors of production must be constantly examined due to environmental changes that have significant effects on food production volume, its safe production and supply. The analyis of results concerning the micro-region and farmers provides the statistical value of larger units. It has always been a difficult task to assess and take into account the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of crop management, as well as making production condition-related decisions. However, data is needed in order to analyze the state of the sector. To know its capabilities, reduce its disadvantages or take advantages of its competitive edge.

In our dissertation we examined the agriculture of Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county through the opinions and experiences of farmers. We had conducted a research among organisations with maize production. The research sample was the enterpreneurial world of the county. We have gained access to them via the county’s sixty agricultural advisors from the Hungarian Chamber of Agriculture. We had reached them electronically with the help of the HCA’s county office using an open-ended questionnaire and Excel Forms. We had sent and received the surveys electronically. To detect relationships we had made a correlation test with different methods. The ideal and practical date of starting the research was December 12, 2018. The closing date was September 15, 2019.

Maize is produced on the largest area in the county among arable crops. It is also among the first in the national comparison in terms of land size. Maize is significantly exposed to weather conditions. The factor most influencing the yield is the amount and time distribution of precipitation. The typical sandy soil of the county is not ideal, it does not meet the optimal needs for maize. Maize is tolerant to soil, growing in both sandy and compacted soils, but its yield is unpredictable because it is unable to meet its water needs from the soil. It needs rain or irrigation. The critical determinant of yield in the county is water scarcity.

The prerequisite for further improvement would be the proper cost management, however, according to our research within the sample in the absence of continuously maintained cost records per plant, this has not been consciously realized. Due to the method of calculating the cost level of production, the profitability ratio shows an improving tendency and has positive value within the sample. The hedge yield average show a decreasing trend and it is favourable within the sample as well as the results paid by production quantity shows a positive tendency for the period of analysis. In the county, maize production is a permanent, safe income-producing crop. The production structure also shows that maize is the most important and most typical arable corp.

Keywords: agriculture, analysis, evaluation, comparison