Newsroom
Farmers across Cyprus have been advised not to plant seasonal crops this year as the island faces a historic drought that has left dams at just 10 to 11 percent capacity. Permanent crops are already failing, and recycled water from sewage systems is insufficient to meet irrigation needs, officials said.
“The only farmers who can survive are those with active wells,” said Andreas Grigoriou, Director General of the Ministry of Agriculture. Those without private water sources are being urged to apply for government compensation, he added.
Desalinated water, while essential for drinking, is too costly to supply for irrigation. Average production costs around €1.50 per cubic meter, making it economically unfeasible for vegetable and crop cultivation. The government is exploring alternative technologies, including renewable energy, to lower costs in the future, but any solution remains years away.
To safeguard drinking water, Cyprus is accelerating its desalination program, adding three new plants before summer 2026 on top of four already approved. The new facilities are expected to provide 30,000 cubic meters of water per day for domestic use.
“This is a sector entirely dependent on rainfall,” Grigoriou said, noting that crops like vineyards are particularly vulnerable. Where production fails, farmers may receive compensation from the Risk Management Fund.
With dams nearly dry and rainfall uncertain, the message from the government is clear: this could be one of the harshest years yet for Cypriot agriculture.
