Cyprus farmers threaten protests over irrigation water shortages

Potato and other open-field crop growers in Cyprus have warned authorities of potential drastic action if the government fails to provide them with irrigation water.

Andreas Karios, chairman of the Potato Producers' Organizing Committee, stated that farmers are deeply concerned by the Water Development Department's decision not to supply water from the Southern Conveyor in the Famagusta area and the Asprokremmos dam in Paphos for irrigating open-field crops, including potatoes and watermelons.

According to Karios, 2025 has already been a catastrophic year for producers as they completely lost access to irrigation water. This forced farmers to use their own funds to repair old boreholes and pump groundwater, significantly driving up production costs.

He noted that while authorities are actively developing desalination projects, farmers feel that support for the primary agricultural sector remains insufficient.

Karios also stated that last year, producers were promised compensation for lost income and rising costs, but later, according to him, authorities informed them that no financial support would be provided.

“We managed to get through the first half of 2026 using our own funds, but in the second half, we will not accept a situation where we are denied water and at the same time refused compensation,” he emphasized.

Farmers have already approached the Water Development Department requesting a review of the decision but received a negative response. Currently, producers are considering further steps and do not rule out protest measures.