The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, with the minister in charge, Christos Senekis, announcing at the 6th Annual Panagia Grape Harvest Festival that the program will cover five grape varieties that suffered production losses exceeding 30%. The minister emphasized that supporting viticulture is a consistent priority for the government and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking on Sunday at the festival, Mr. Senekis noted that the submission of damage claims for the emergency plan will continue until September 21, while also expressing the Ministry’s intention to move the procedures forward as quickly as possible so that aid can be paid to affected producers as soon as possible.
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As the Minister explained, regarding damage from downy mildew, a notice has already been issued for the varieties in which the average yield loss in the broader region, defined as a cluster of communities, amounts to at least 50%. These varieties include the main varieties, Mavro and Xynisteri.
At the same time, as he noted, the regulatory option to draw up an emergency de minimis plan will be utilized to cover five additional varieties that sustained damage exceeding 30% within the same cluster of communities.
Mr. Senekis spoke generally about the significant difficulties facing the wine sector this year, due to the prolonged drought, extreme weather events, and plant diseases.
In the region, he said, vine growers’ claims for damages caused by downy mildew and last May’s hailstorm have already been assessed, while damage caused by the storm on August 28 is currently under evaluation.
Under the National Framework for the Granting of State Aid, damages from hail, heat waves, and other adverse weather events, as well as damage from plant diseases, such as downy mildew in grapevines, provided that these reach epidemic proportions.
As he noted, approximately €22 million from European funds to support grape growers and winemakers through the interventions of the 2023–2027 Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan.
The funds will be directed, among other things, toward the restructuring and conversion of vineyards to varieties that are more marketable and capable of producing quality wines, the restoration of traditional dry-stone walls, the modernization and enhancement of winery visitor experiences, as well as the promotion of Cypriot wines in third-country markets.
“This is not, therefore, merely about financial support,” said Mr. Senekis, noting that this is an investment in the quality, resilience, and future of Cypriot viticulture and winemaking.
The Minister, who attended the 6th Annual Panagia Grape Harvest Festival, emphasized the region’s importance for Cypriot viticulture and winemaking.
Panagia is located within the designated geographical area “Vouni Panagia – Ambelitis,” which has been recognized at the European level as a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO).
Mr. Senekis emphasized that this designation adds value to the region’s products and strengthens their position in the wine market, while also highlighting the importance of quality, origin, and identity of Cypriot products.
Referring to the broader challenges facing agriculture, the Minister placed particular emphasis on the water issue, noting that restrictions on the availability of irrigation water create significant difficulties for farmers.
As he noted, during the 2024–2030 period, projects totaling over €200 million are being implemented for desalination, the use of reclaimed water, the reduction of water losses, and the upgrading of water networks.
The goal, he said, is to gradually reduce the dependence of water supply and irrigation on weather conditions and to strengthen Cyprus’s resilience to climate change and prolonged droughts.
Source: CNA
