Filenews 31 August 2025 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Our goal is to avoid abandonment of the countryside and to revitalize the local community, emphasizes the director of the Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Makis Antoniadis, in an analysis of the cost of the devastating fire in mountainous Limassol.
He proceeds to an analysis of the programs for the affected areas, inviting them to utilize the reactivation plans to contribute to maintaining the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the affected areas. The Director of the Department of Agriculture underlines that the objectives for the new Common Agricultural Policy are the practical support of farmers and livestock breeders, the tackling of the climate crisis, the demographic aging of rural populations as well as the limitation of high production costs.
In addition, it points out that the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, in the first half of 2026, is expected to play a decisive role in the course of discussions and negotiations, always aiming at preserving the resources and flexibility that are necessary factors for the sustainability of rural areas of our country.
-The aftermath of a catastrophic fire should lead us to new steps that keep the countryside alive and efficient in terms of agricultural and livestock production. Does anything change?
-As the Department of Agriculture, we are closely monitoring the enormous pressures that the Cypriot countryside is undergoing. Culminating in the devastating fire of July 23, 2025 in semi-mountainous Limassol, as well as the ongoing negative consequences from climate change and drought, what is certain is that there is certainly no room for complacency.
Climate change has huge negative impacts, with the main problem being severe drought conditions affecting the countryside. We are already in the third consecutive year of drought and the prolonged period of extremely low rainfall has put significant pressure on agricultural production and livelihoods in rural areas, while the pressure on underground aquifers for irrigation is intensifying.
The severity of the drought threatens not only food production, but also the environmental sustainability and resilience of rural areas. At the same time, prolonged drought conditions increase the risk of forest fires, while at the same time they result in soil degradation, land abandonment and progressive desertification of the Cypriot countryside. These dangers became a harsh reality with the recent devastating fire that broke out in the semi-mountainous area of Limassol, which severely affected mountain communities and farmland. In light of these challenges, the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is more than ever a crucial tool. Discussions on the new CAP are ongoing, and we must seize this opportunity to formulate a policy that actively supports farmers and livestock breeders, tackles the climate crisis and the demographic ageing of rural populations, while limiting high production costs.
In addition, the upcoming Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, in the first half of 2026, is expected to play a decisive role in the course of discussions and negotiations, always aiming at maintaining the resources and flexibility that are necessary factors for the sustainability of our country's rural areas.
-We heard after the fire about the absence of policies for a safe countryside. The Minister of Agriculture spoke about a pilot program of selective grazing in Tillyria, which helps to address the problem of urban penetration in wooded areas or areas that were previously cultivated. What can you tell us about this plan and when will it be implemented in rural areas as a whole?
-It is a fact that in recent decades a large part of the island's agricultural land, especially in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas, has been abandoned, resulting in an increase in fuel that poses a serious risk of fire explosions. In addition, the frequency of grazing in many areas has been reduced, resulting in the accumulation of phytomass, which dries up during the summer months and can ignite, causing large-scale fires. This problem is particularly important in areas adjacent to forests, as the fire can also spread to the forest, causing enormous ecological and economic damage. Recognizing these data, on the instructions of the Minister, the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Department of Forests, implements the pilot implementation of a selective grazing program in two areas in the Pyrgos Tillyria zone. Our goal is to utilize the results we will record so that in 2026 the program will be extended to an additional two to three areas in the Solea zone, in collaboration with livestock farmers.
I would like to note that the project, which will run in pilot form until the end of 2026, includes lightweight infrastructure for short-term animal shelter, such as the installation of water supply points. Specifically, in the current phase, the grazing capacity of the areas is recorded with the aim of applying grazing to a corresponding grazing by herds of animals located in the wider area. At the same time, the movement of the animals is monitored with GPS collars and the effect that grazing has on the reduction of fuel at the area level will be assessed using remote sensing techniques and/or on-site observation. At the end of the project, the data will be evaluated and actions will be planned to inform and disseminate the results. The ultimate goal is its universal implementation in order to be included in the new CAP Strategic Plan of Cyprus, which will concern the programming period after 2027.
-Unfortunately, the fire has burned a large area, affecting about 1,500 farmers. The Council of Ministers (HS) in its meeting on 30/07/2025 approved three actions with a maximum total expenditure of €23,500,000 which are implemented by the Department of Agriculture. The first action, which has already been implemented, provides for the granting of direct financial support, which concerns 100% loss of income for one year, to all farmers and livestock breeders in the affected area and a total amount of aid of more than €3,000,000 has been paid to 1,266 beneficiaries. In addition, an Extraordinary Special Plan for the reactivation, restoration of infrastructure and mechanical equipment for professional and non-agricultural and non-agricultural farmers has been approved by the HS, as well as an Investment Plan for those affected who do not fall under the Extraordinary Special Plan. The amount of the aid can reach up to 80% of the total damage, depending on the provisions of the Plans. These two Projects were announced on 2 August 2025 with a deadline for the submission of declarations on 15 September 2025. Payments will be made at regular intervals and depending on the progress of the restoration actions. 900 applications have been submitted for these two projects (up to the day of the interview).
-What are the basic eligibility criteria for submitting applications for reactivation and what are the next steps after the completion of the receipt of declarations?
-Reactivation plans are a key means of supporting those affected by natural disasters and aim at the rehabilitation of farmers. In particular, the Department of Agriculture for the Reactivation Plans accepts applications from all affected farmers, professional and non-professional, for tree crops, irrigation systems for agricultural crops, agricultural equipment, agricultural machinery, permanent agricultural facilities, sheep and goat livestock premises and their equipment. Upon completion of the receipt of the Damage Declarations, officials of the Department of Agriculture will immediately proceed to the evaluation of the applications for the two Emergency Plans, in order for the beneficiaries to receive an advance payment of 30% based on their eligible actions. The final aid can reach up to 80% of the total damage depending on the provisions of the Plans. It is noted that the review and evaluation of the applications that have already been received has begun.
It is noted that when evaluating applications for eligible actions where a building permit is required, this must be submitted before any aid is paid. For unlicensed facilities, in this case, the legality examination will be carried out in accordance with the policy and procedure established by the Ministry of Interior.
Our goal is to avoid abandonment of the countryside and to revitalize the local community and for this reason we urge those affected to take advantage of the Reactivation Plans to contribute to maintaining the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the affected areas.
-What is planned for the livestock farms that have been affected by the fire? Is there any planning for relocation?
-42 livestock farms have been affected, mainly sheep and goats. On the initiative of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the free provision of animal feed to the affected livestock farmers in order to meet the needs of the first days proceeded. In addition, aid was paid to cover the loss of income for the first year, mainly due to the loss of milk production and the reduction of grazing capacity. In addition, the affected livestock farmers have the opportunity to participate in the reactivation and rehabilitation plans with all the foreseen procedures. Affected persons have the option of relocating their premises to another plot, but within the appropriate zones of the affected Communities.
-What are the most common errors you find when submitting Damage Statements?
-The most common mistake found is the failure of farmers to record all crops/actions affected by the fire, resulting in their declaration being incomplete. It is noted, however, that there is the possibility of submitting a supplementary Damage Declaration as well as submitting an objection in case the farmer disagrees with the conclusion of the recording of his affected assets that he receives after the on-site inspection. I would like to emphasize that officials of the Department of Agriculture are always at the disposal of the rural world to provide assistance and guidance for the correct completion and submission of the required documents.
-Are there scheduled visits or inspections to the affected areas by officials of the Department?
-Immediately after the fire was extinguished, teams of the Department of Agriculture were in the affected areas with the aim of further recording the needs on the spot and better coordinating the provision of support. In addition, officials of the Department of Agriculture receive applications and carry out targeted on-site inspections in order to determine the extent of the damage. This process continues uninterruptedly until now and will be completed after all the necessary checks have been carried out before the payment of the aid. Also, in the immediate future, we will provide targeted agricultural advice to those affected, on issues of appropriate cultivation practices for proper management in order to achieve the best possible result, in terms of the reconstitution of their agricultural potential.
Reducing the risk of wildfires with plant residues
-In addition to the extraordinary measures you have already mentioned, does the Department of Agriculture have or intends to take additional measures?
-Yes, the Department of Agriculture has launched additional actions. More specifically, the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 has already included the possibility of covering the crushed market for exploitation by communities bordering forest areas. The aim of the Intervention is the effective management of plant residues, such as branches and leaves. Crushed residues can be used for composting or as a ground cover, thus reducing the risk of fires and offering a sustainable solution for their management. The budget for the first call for action (2 October 2024 – 31 January 2025) amounted to €500,000. 17 applications were submitted by the Local Government Authorities, which were approved in April 2025. This Intervention is expected to be announced again in September 2025 with a corresponding overall budget and we call on the Community Councils to take advantage of this possibility.
Also, the Department of Agriculture, as the Managing Authority of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, utilizing the provisions of the relevant European Regulation regarding exceptions from the rules of the CAP in cases of force majeure and in exceptional circumstances, sent a letter to the CAP in order to grant relevant facilities and exceptions to applicants of the CAP interventions, regarding the "Restructuring and Conversion of Vineyards" and the Installation of a Linear Support System", the pieces of which have been affected by the fire of July 23, 2025. Furthermore, in the context of the large investment measure, with a total budget of €60,000,000, which has been announced by the Minister in June with the submission of applications starting in September, a special provision has been included for the granting of an additional 15 points to the fire victims of the Limassol district, if they want to be active in the area and implement additional investments beyond those that existed before. who are also compensated.
In addition to the above, the possibility of formulating additional actions related to the restoration of viticultural areas that are completely abandoned or under abandonment is also being studied. At this stage we cannot give more details because the issue is still under study.
-Do you have any broader planning for the preservation of the countryside as a productive area, because what we are seeing is the gradual urbanization of areas near large municipalities and the desertification of remote areas?
-The preservation of the countryside and its population is one of the main objectives of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as the countryside plays an important role in agricultural production, the environment, social cohesion and cultural heritage. The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union is implemented in Cyprus through the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, with a budget of 454 million euros, and is gradually implemented through the calls for individual interventions, which inter alia concern direct payments to ensure a stable income for farmers, implementation of agri-environmental measures to promote environmentally friendly practices, interventions related to the utilization of recycled water and smart systems irrigation, as well as actions aimed at improving the quality of life in the countryside and the development of the local economy. Both during the current and the new programming period, the successful implementation of the CAP is a significant challenge for the sustainability and development of our country's primary sector, especially taking into account the successive crises. Our aim is to design our policies based on the specificities and specialized needs of our primary sector. A typical example of our effort is the emphasis given to mountainous areas with the aim of reducing abandonment through the small investment scheme which was oriented towards mountainous Cyprus. The fact that the holistic solution of the water problem is also underway, gives hope in general to the occupation with agriculture, which is now widely accepted that it is both green and fireproof and offers protection in addition to fruits.
