As part of the visit, Židan will first meet the representatives of the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry (KGZS) in Murska Sobota and then inspect fields around Ptuj.

First estimates show the drought and virtually unbroken high temperatures since the end of June have hit NE Slovenia the hardest and forecasts show no relief until Friday, so the damage to the crops is expected to increase even further.

According to the Agriculture and Environment Ministry, corn crops could be halved and the drought is also starting to damage orchards and vineyards.

The ministry has earmarked a total of EUR 12m for irrigation projects in the 2007-2013 period, but not all of the funds have been phased yet.

However, two major irrigation systems in Pomurje, covering a total of 526 hectares of land, have already been renovated and are expected to alleviate somewhat the effects of droughts in the coming years.