Önellátó

Önellátó is a Hungarian adjective describing a system, household, or community that can supply its basic needs without relying on ongoing external support. It is used for economic or lifestyle concepts, as in önellátó gazdaság, önellátó háztartás, or önellátó életmód.

The term combines ön- meaning "self" and ellátó meaning "providing" or "supplying." It is used across contexts to indicate independence from external inputs, including food, energy, water, or goods.

In agriculture, self-sufficiency implies local food production, seed saving, composting, and possibly livestock. In energy, it refers to off-grid power from solar or wind. In water management, rainwater harvesting and recycling reduce dependence on municipal systems. In housing, efficient design and renewable energy support self-reliance, while communities may rely on local exchange networks and cooperative efforts to strengthen autonomy.

Benefits include greater resilience to supply disruptions, reduced environmental impact, and skill development. Challenges include the resource and capital requirements, dependence on climate and soil, and social trade-offs; it can be impractical in urban areas or for households with limited land, income, or time. The concept is frequently discussed in sustainability and resilience literature as a goal for more autonomous, locally oriented practices, though critics warn against romanticizing complete independence given interconnected modern economies.