Nicosia, Cyprus. Agricultural organisations on Tuesday called on the government to allocate more irrigation water to seasonal crops, saying current supplies are inadequate despite dam levels being significantly higher than at the same time last year.
They said the existing three-year water allocation plan does not meet farmers’ needs and warned that insufficient irrigation could affect production, prices and export commitments.
Request for meeting with minister
Tassos Giapanis, head of agricultural association Panagrotikos, said all farming organisations had requested a meeting with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou to discuss water distribution.
He said the Water Development Department’s three-year water allocation plan was insufficient, particularly as dam levels currently stand at 47 per cent, compared with about 20 per cent at the same point last year.
Concerns over seasonal crop production
Giapanis said permanent crops, including fruit trees and greenhouse produce, remain the sector’s priority after years of drought.
He added, however, that seasonal crops such as watermelons and melons also need additional irrigation to maintain production levels.
“If the minimum quantities of water needed are not provided, there will be shortages and prices will increase,” he said.
Areas most affected
Giapanis said melon and watermelon growers in the Larnaca district and potato producers in the Famagusta district were among those most affected.
Farmers have requested additional supplies from the southern conveyor project, which distributes irrigation water to coastal districts from Paphos to Famagusta. According to Giapanis, no water has yet been delivered through the system this year.
Export risks for potato sector
Giapanis said the issue was especially urgent for potato growers, as planting for the next export season begins in late August and early September.
He said Cyprus potatoes are the country’s second-largest agricultural export after halloumi and warned that insufficient irrigation could put contracts with overseas buyers at risk and lead to the loss of export markets.