Department of Agriculture initiates support for mildew-affected viticulturists

The Cyprus Department of Agriculture has announced a support program for viticulturists whose crops were damaged by downy mildew. Eligible producers can submit damage claims from August 3 to August 24, 2026, at regional agricultural offices and specific community councils. This initiative follows a period of systematic monitoring that began in May 2026, during which specialized officials conducted daily field inspections to track the disease's spread.

The government's decision to provide aid, which aligns with the European Commission-approved National Framework for State Aid, comes after protests from Paphos viticulturists. Farmers took to the streets on Saturday, expressing dissatisfaction with the initial scope of the compensation, which was restricted to specific grape varieties. The Department of Agriculture maintains that its assessment was based on objective, documented findings regarding which regions and varieties met the criteria for support.

The current phase involves processing claims to provide relief for the sustained agricultural losses. Authorities emphasize that the compensation process is based on verified data collected throughout the growing season in areas where weather conditions favored the development of the pathogen.