Farmers raise water and subsidy concerns during minister’s Strovolos market visit

Strovolos, Cyprus. Farmers raised concerns about water distribution and delays in subsidy payments during Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis’ visit to the Strovolos farmers market on Friday.

Senekis said water resources had improved this year and that efforts would be made to meet producers’ immediate needs while ensuring sufficient supplies for the coming years.

Water supply strategy

Responding to questions about the cancellation of certain desalination projects, Senekis said the strategy to strengthen the country’s water reserves was a dynamic process shaped by needs.

He said the government had reached a strategic plan intended to cover 100 per cent of the country’s water supply needs, with farmers receiving top priority alongside reservoir reserves.

Farmers nevertheless expressed concern about possible shortages and called for increased water supplies for producers.

Maria, a farmer from Xyliatos, said she had received insufficient water for her crops. She said a field of golden apples did not bear fruit, while the limited supply allowed her only to save her avocado trees.

She said she had paid €1,000 for water in the previous year.

Subsidy requests

Another farmer asked about the status of subsidies for the Vyzakia area, saying producers had been told last year that support would be provided because of drought conditions and an empty reservoir.

Senekis said the subsidy plan was being prepared and relevant requests were under examination. He added that a strategic support plan had been submitted to the Council of Ministers last year.

Role of farmers markets

During the visit, Senekis highlighted the importance of farmers markets, saying they helped reduce the gap between the prices received by producers and those paid by consumers.

Strovolos mayor Stavros Stavrinides welcomed the minister and said Senekis had responded promptly to the invitation to visit the market.