Filenews 17 July 2024
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment is proceeding immediately with the immediate adoption of measures to address the drought and the challenges created, as well as measures that relieve farmers affected by water scarcity. The Council of Ministers was informed today about the Ministry's actions, as Cyprus is going through a prolonged period of drought, resulting in a significant reduction of water reserves in dams and the decision to grant reduced quantities of water by 33.7% on average, compared to the approved quantities of 2023, for irrigation purposes.
The allocation of reduced quantities of water for irrigation causes problems in agricultural production for the current year with negative consequences for the primary sector. To achieve this goal, a total of €6,065,000 will be used for new specific measures, as well as the reinforcement of existing measures.
The new measures announced by the competent Minister Maria Panayiotou are:
1. Exploitation of boreholes for the benefit of farmers.
2. Brackish water treatment of aquifer with installation of 5 water treatment systems for irrigation.
3. Reduction of network losses and waste in cooperation with EDAs and Water Suppliers.
Furthermore, it was decided to reinforce existing measures:
1. Tighten legislation to reduce uncontrolled use and waste of water, by increasing penalties and improving the way it is implemented.
2. Subsidy for the installation of small private seawater treatment plants for irrigation by farmers and producer groups
3. Reinforcement or rehabilitation of the water supply of communities in order to satisfy emergency water supply needs due to drought
4. Intensification of a public awareness and information campaign in order to reduce water consumption
5. Subsidizing investments related to smart irrigation systems to save water
6. Improvement of the infrastructure of Irrigation Departments and reduction of losses
In addition to the above, the Ministry will also provide a targeted training program to farmers on rational water management, while it will utilize all available tools related to adverse climatic events to support farmers.
For a definitive solution to the problem of water scarcity and drought in Cyprus, the Ministry is proceeding, in parallel with the Review of a Strategic Study for Water Management and Drought Management.
