In statements during a visit to potato fields in Xylofagou, which were affected by the frost, Stefanou said that "today in the free province of Famagusta we came to talk to the producers and to see the destruction in the potato fields mainly due to the erratic weather. We are almost at the end of March and the weather is clearly wintery."
He added that "the frosts and the weather in general has caused a serious problem and has destroyed the plantations so we came to see the situation as it is. These situations are added to the issues of punctuality and the general climate that has long been formed and has become even worse now with the war in Ukraine."
We came here, the AKEL Secretary General continued, "to talk to the producers, to inform us about the situation and at the same time to discuss ways of dealing with the situation and primarily ways of supporting them so that they can continue to produce and be in the field of agricultural production, which we know has a lot of problems".
In response to a question, Stefanou said "we express our support to the producers, who are a very tormented group and class of people. We will listen to the problems, we will convey them to the relevant departments and ministries and we will ask for support to these people so that they can face the difficulties."
Asked whether he has any suggestions, he replied that "unfortunately disasters are frequent and the peculiarity this year is that this situation is against the background of a general situation in Cyprus and internationally which is not good. There is a general concern regarding the prospects of the economy and what the impact will be which will certainly be negative on society, on households and on the economy."
It is for this reason, he continued, "that we need to have a first-hand view and a living experience regarding the magnitude of the problems and the extent of the damage in order to discuss ways of dealing with it."
It is for this reason, he continued, "that we need to have a first-hand view and a living experience regarding the magnitude of the problems and the magnitude of the damage in order to discuss ways of dealing with it. There are the traditional ways, procedures and regulations, but where there are particular problems there should always be a special care."
Moreover, Yiannakis Gavriel, Chairman of the Agriculture Committee of the Parliament said that "unfortunately, we are being verified, day by day. Apart from the fact that increased production costs for both farmers and livestock farmers are a given, the icing on the cake came with the total destruction due to the frosts."
We have discussed, he continued, "the specific issue many times in the Committee on Agriculture but next Tuesday the issue will be raised again for discussion. In other words, both the increased production costs and cereals, halloumi and compensation today will be discussed", since, as he explained, "with all that is happening, the producers will not survive. No sector can bear with the increased costs."
On the contrary, he continued, due to the extreme weather conditions they have been damaged, while especially in the free Famagusta area potato crops have been completely destroyed. "We will insist that the state, far from bureaucracies, must immediately strengthen the branches of the primary sector, otherwise we will not have a primary sector," he said, noting that "the message is clear with the things we have seen today."
For his part, Georgios Zorlis, a member of the Cyprus Potato Marketing Council, said that "this is not only a disaster. It is a natural disaster because it has never happened to me before that you have to water the fields for 12 nights in a row to save them from destruction." He noted that "all the potatoes that have been watered are destroyed. The rhizome will be destroyed and this will be seen in the next few days, while the rest of the potatoes that were not watered are also destroyed."
He added that "the State and the State must come to the rescue and give financial assistance here and now so that the families can live first and then compensate not from the insurance plans because these are graft. It is like I want a kidney transplant and you give me a bottle of blood or two IVs," he said.
He wants continued "political decision and to see the world because with the minds we have I foresee that in a decade, there will be no agricultural or livestock industry in the country."
In response to questions, Mr. Zorlis said he will not let his child go into farming under these circumstances, that his own production was completely destroyed and that he received some monetary compensation from the previous disasters on his plantations, but it is not enough.
He said he was disappointed to see his efforts wasted, noted that if he does not have help and support from the state he will not plant potatoes again, not because he does not want to, but because the petrol station wants his money, the drug companies want theirs and noted that he has given 18 thousand euros for potato seed alone.
Presidential elections
Moreover, asked during his statements whether AKEL has decided on the presidential elections and whether it says "no" to a possible presidential candidacy of Christiana Erotokritou as the DIKO proposal, Mr. Stefanou replied that "AKEL will decide on the presidential elections when it is ready and when it makes its procedures and contacts."
He reiterated that "we are in contact with various parties and when we are ready, we will speak publicly."
Source: CNA
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