Following the meeting that the President of the Republic, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, had today with the Coordinating Committee of Farmers of Western Nicosia at the Presidential Palace, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Mr. Costas Kadis, who also attended the meeting, made the following statements. We discussed the long-standing problem faced by farmers in the area, which is none other than the high cost of pumping the water they use for their crops. It is a fact, and it was acknowledged based on the data before us, that farmers in this area are at a disadvantage compared to other farmers who receive water from large water projects and from the southern pipeline.
We informed the farmers in the area that the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (MARD) has prepared a study specifically for this area to improve the water balance and to find additional water resources.
We informed the farmers in the area that the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment (MARD) has prepared a study specifically for this area to improve the water balance and to find additional water resources. The study has resulted in recommendations for specific infrastructure projects, which have been included in the YWAP's budgets and their implementation is gradually starting. However, we also discussed more immediate solutions, which are also part of the adoption of environmentally friendly policies in line with the European Green Agreement.
In particular, farmers in the region will be given the opportunity to install photovoltaic systems. In fact, in agreement between the President of the Republic and the President of the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority and the Minister of Energy, the range of photovoltaic systems will be increased to 100 kW. In addition to the framework that will be established, farmers in the region will be supported for the installation of photovoltaics in these areas through the Rural Development Programme, with a funding rate of 75%. Also, through the same programme, farmers will be able to be supported for the purchase of new pumps, which are also less energy-intensive.
Through these moves we believe that farmers in the region will have access to cheap water and this will make their activities in the primary sector more sustainable but also greener and more environmentally friendly."
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