Producers of open crops nationwide are warning with dynamic mobilizations in case the Council of Ministers does not accept their request for water concession, in order to water their products from irrigation projects.
Andreas Karyos, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Potato Growers, said that "producers of open crops, such as potatoes and watermelons, are upset by the decision of the Water Development Department not to provide water from the Southern Pipeline project in the province of Famagusta and from the Asprokremos dam in Paphos, for the water supply of these crops."
He explained that "producers had a catastrophic year in 2025, since they were not provided with any water for their crops, as a result, in their effort to pump water from the boreholes and fix older boreholes, their expenses skyrocketed."
"This year, an effort is being made to cover the water supply from desalination," he added, "why not support the primary sector, which is trying tooth and nail to produce products for its place."
Answering a question, Mr. Karyos said that "potato producers and other farmers feel that they are not taken into account by any competent Service". Specifically, he said, "in 2025 they had promised that since the specific growers would not be given water due to the tragic state in which the water was located, they would cover the lost income and the increased costs".
He expressed regret for the fact because, as he explained, "when we asked to discuss the issue to see what the formula of financial support for open crop producers would be, we were told that it has nothing for them."
Mr. Karyos said that the first half of the year (2026) has been covered by the producers at their own expense, "but in the second half we will not tolerate under any circumstances that they do not provide us with water and that the reduced income and the increased production costs are not covered".
Asked whether a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture will be requested, Mr. Karyos replied that "the Water Development Department has decided not to grant water to open crops and producers and to give a small amount only to tree crops and greenhouses. We asked the WDD to provide us with water, but the answer is negative."
For a month now, he continued, "the authorities have been telling us that the issue will go to the Council of Ministers to make a decision and we are waiting for the decision of the Cabinet".
However, he noted that "in the event that the Council of Ministers decides on the proposal of the Water Development Department, for not granting water, the producers of open crops throughout Cyprus will not remain idle, but at the appropriate time will proceed with dynamic protests".
