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Cyprus paid out €10.2 million in compensation to farmers and producer groups hit by severe drought, the Agriculture Department announced, marking a major step in easing the financial strain caused by one of the driest periods in recent years.
A total of 2,516 applications were approved in 2025 for losses sustained during 2024, a year officials say was one of the toughest in the island’s agricultural history. Record-low rainfall and unusually high temperatures sharply reduced both crop yields and product quality, hitting cereals, olives, fruits, vegetables, and vineyards particularly hard.
The payments form part of a wider Support Plan developed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment in consultation with the agricultural community. “The support provides substantial relief to producers affected by extreme drought conditions,” the department said in a statement.
Under Measure 23 of the Rural Development Program 2014–2020, the lump-sum aid covered a wide range of sectors, including cereals, citrus fruits, olives, vegetables, potatoes, vineyards, avocados, beekeeping, and producer organizations. Both professional and non-professional farmers were eligible, with selection based on official estimates, provincial data, and agricultural registers.
Professional farmers accounted for the majority of applicants, though roughly half of eligible deciduous tree areas, including walnuts and almonds, saw no submissions.
Officials said the drought’s impact went beyond crops, reducing water reserves in reservoirs and placing additional pressure on irrigation systems, directly affecting farmers’ income. The ministry stressed that timely and targeted state intervention was essential to maintain productive activity and support the agricultural sector.
The government recognized the drought as a natural disaster, with the Council of Ministers approving compensation payments and a series of water management measures for both irrigation and water supply. Farmers were considered eligible if their losses reached 30% or more, whether in actual production or potential output.
In addition, the European Commission granted €3.5 million in exceptional aid from the agricultural reserve, paid in September 2025, as part of a coordinated European effort to support agriculture against the effects of climate change.
The Agriculture Department noted that Cyprus continues to grapple with the ongoing drought, now entering its fourth consecutive year, and remains in close contact with agricultural organizations to monitor losses and consider additional support measures as needed.
“Ensuring the sustainability of agricultural production and supporting producers affected by the climate crisis remains our top priority,” the Department said.
