Govt unveils emergency aid for winegrowers hit by downy mildew

Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis has announced an emergency state aid scheme designed to support winegrowers impacted by downy mildew. The initiative targets five specific grape varieties that have experienced production losses exceeding 30 percent.

According to Senekis, the government views support for the viticulture sector as a constant priority. Producers have until September 21 to submit damage declarations under the new plan. The ministry stated that it intends to process these claims promptly to ensure that payments are issued to affected growers without significant delay.

This latest measure follows a previous aid scheme that covered the Mavro and Xynisteri varieties, which suffered average production losses of at least 50 percent across affected community clusters. The minister noted that the wine sector has faced substantial challenges this year, including prolonged drought, extreme weather, and plant disease. While claims related to downy mildew and hail damage from May have already been assessed, evaluations regarding damage from an August storm are still ongoing.

Looking ahead, the government expects to receive approximately 22 million euros in European funding by next year. These funds, provided through the common agricultural policy’s strategic plan, are intended to support vineyard restructuring, the restoration of traditional dry-stone walls, the modernization of wineries, and the promotion of Cypriot wines in international markets. Senekis described this funding as an investment in the long-term quality and resilience of the industry.

In addition to financial aid, the minister addressed the issue of water scarcity, noting that irrigation restrictions remain a significant challenge for farmers. He stated that infrastructure projects valued at over 200 million euros are currently underway, focusing on desalination and network upgrades to reduce the agricultural sector’s dependence on weather conditions.

Article and image source: cyprus-mail.com