**Farmers Demand Increased Irrigation Water Amid Rising Dam Levels**
Agricultural organizations in Cyprus are calling on the government to increase the allocation of irrigation water to seasonal crops, citing inadequate supplies despite significantly improved dam levels compared to last year. The head of the agricultural association Panagrotikos, Tassos Giapanis, announced that all farming organizations have requested a meeting with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou to discuss the pressing issue of water distribution.
Currently, dam levels are reported at 47%, a stark contrast to the approximately 20% recorded during the same period last year. Despite this increase, Giapanis emphasized that the Water Development Department’s three-year water allocation plan does not adequately meet the needs of farmers, particularly for seasonal crops such as watermelons and melons, which require additional irrigation to maintain production levels.
“If the minimum quantities of water needed are not provided, there will be shortages and prices will increase,” Giapanis warned, highlighting the potential economic impact on both farmers and consumers. He pointed out that while permanent crops, including fruit trees and greenhouse produce, remain a priority, the need for sufficient water for seasonal crops is critical.
Specific groups of farmers, particularly melon and watermelon growers in the Larnaca district and potato producers in the Famagusta district, are among those most affected by the current water allocation issues. Farmers have requested additional supplies from the southern conveyor project, which is designed to distribute irrigation water from Paphos to Famagusta. However, Giapanis noted that no water has been delivered through this system so far this year.
The situation is particularly urgent for potato growers, as the planting season for the next export cycle begins in late August and early September. Cyprus potatoes represent the country’s second-largest agricultural export after halloumi cheese. Giapanis expressed concern that insufficient irrigation could jeopardize contracts with international buyers, potentially leading to the loss of valuable export markets. “If contracts are lost, it could take years for Cypriot potatoes to regain their place on supermarket shelves abroad,” he cautioned.
In addition to immediate concerns about irrigation, Giapanis raised issues regarding farmers’ participation in European Union support programs administered by the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation (CAPO). Many farmers are committed to cultivating specific crops and achieving production targets under these programs. Failure to meet these obligations due to water shortages could result in penalties, exclusion from future programs, and the recovery of previously received funding.
Giapanis argued that farmers should not be penalized for failing to meet production targets when the state has not provided the necessary water allocations. As a result, agricultural organizations are urging the government and CAPO to make a political decision to protect affected farmers from potential repercussions.
“We consider it inconceivable that, with more than double the water available in dams compared with last year, the necessary quantities are not being provided,” Giapanis stated.
When asked about the potential for utilizing desalinated or recycled water to alleviate the situation, Giapanis acknowledged that while some additional quantities could be used, infrastructure limitations remain a significant challenge. Although several desalination projects are planned for the future, he noted that most would be medium-term solutions unlikely to yield significant additional supplies before 2027. Furthermore, legal action against plans for a mobile desalination unit in Mazotos could delay that project by several years.
As the situation continues to develop, Giapanis indicated that farmers have not ruled out taking more assertive measures if their concerns regarding irrigation water are not adequately addressed. The agricultural community remains vigilant as they seek solutions to ensure the sustainability of their crops and the economic viability of their operations.