Cyprus farmers request increased irrigation water allocations

Cypriot agricultural organizations have officially requested a meeting with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou to discuss water allocation policies. Tassos Giapanis, head of the Panagrotikos association, stated that the current three-year distribution plan by the Water Development Department is insufficient for the agricultural sector's needs. Farmers note that dam water levels have reached 47 percent, significantly higher than the 20 percent recorded at this time last year. While priority remains on permanent crops like fruit trees and greenhouses, producers of seasonal crops such as melons and watermelons in the Larnaca district and potatoes in the Famagusta district require additional resources. Farmers have specifically requested water from the southern conveyor project, which has not yet distributed supplies this year. There are concerns that failure to provide adequate irrigation will lead to production shortages and increased consumer prices. Additionally, potato farmers face tight deadlines as planting for the upcoming export season is scheduled for late August and early September.