The Department of Agriculture announces the start of the application process for financial assistance to farmers affected by natural phenomena, with particular emphasis on the effects of the prolonged drought, as compensation for the damage suffered by their crops.
According to an announcement by the Department, the financial support is provided through Measure 23-"Emergency Support for Drought" of the Rural Development Program (RDP) 2014-2020, with a total budget of €12,3 million.
It is noted that, in addition to €12,3 million, a new aid announcement of €3,5 million is expected within the next month for the submission of applications concerning the grain sector.
The submission of applications by farmers will be carried out through an electronic platform which went into operation on Friday, June 20, 2025.
The deadline for submitting applications will be until June 30, 2025.
It is reported that this Measure was prepared after consultation with agricultural organizations by the Department of Agriculture of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment in collaboration with the Managing Authority of the RDP.
The Measure, it is clarified, "covers damages to agricultural holdings in which production or production potential has decreased by at least 30%. The financial aid is paid in a lump sum, with a maximum aid amount per holding of €42.000."
Beneficiaries of the Measure are only farmers who are registered in the Register of Farmers and Agricultural Holdings L.26(I)/2026, with the exception of Recognised Producer Groups / Organisations.
The support, it is added, is mainly addressed to professional farmers except in the sectors of Deciduous-Fruit, Almond, Walnut and Beekeeping. A necessary condition for all applicants is the submission of an application for hectare subsidies in the year 2024 and/or registration in the Beekeeping Register 2024/2025.
More information on the participation criteria per crop is available on the website www.cap.gov.cy, which includes the Applicant Information Manual and where the platform for submitting applications also operates.
The Department of Agriculture also states that the amount of aid is provided and/or varies depending on the crop, the amount of damage, and the status of the applicant (professional farmer or registered in the Farmers' Registry).
Specifically for grain crops, professional farmers will be supported with an amount of up to €1 million. A differentiation in the intensity of the support is provided depending on the amount of damage.
For deciduous fruit crops, the aid amount amounts to €2,6 million. There are two payment categories, professionals and other growers, who must be registered in the Register of Farmers and Agricultural Holdings in any agricultural category.
Almond and walnut growers, who are registered in the Register of Farmers and Agricultural Holdings, are entitled to aid of up to €540.000 and €120.000 respectively.
For vegetable crops (total payment €2,5 million), potatoes (€2,1 million), olive trees (€1 million), citrus fruits (€500.000), vineyards (€10.000) and avocados (€150.000), only professional farmers have the right to submit an application.
For beekeepers, the amount of aid amounts to €1 million. Interested parties must be registered in both the 2024-2025 Beekeeping Register and the Farmers and Agricultural Holdings Register.
Recognized Producer Groups/Organizations in crop production are entitled to an amount of up to €378.000, provided that they prove the existence of a loss of at least 30%.
Source: KYPE
