Recent rainfall has benefited crops and saved irrigation water, the heads of Cyprus’s PEK, EKA and Pan-Agrarian Union of Cyprus farming organisations said in statements on Tuesday, though they stressed the water shortage problem remains.
The issue is expected to be raised at a meeting between farming organisations and the new Agriculture Minister next week, with PEK and EKA specifically flagging water needs for new potato planting.
PEK President Christos Papapetrou said mild rain, when not accompanied by hail or other extreme weather, is particularly beneficial for tree crops such as fruit trees, olives and citrus, as well as open seasonal crops such as cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetables. He explained that where rainfall was substantial enough to adequately water fields, irrigation will not be needed, saving water from dams or boreholes, though greenhouse crops see little real benefit.
Papapetrou said this August’s rainfall has been greater than the usual isolated events typical of the period, adding that, from what he has seen, some dams will certainly see inflows.
Turning to the meeting with the new Agriculture Minister, he said one of the issues PEK will raise is providing additional water quantities from the Southern Conveyor for the new potato planting, a concern EKA also plans to raise. “If the necessary quantities of water aren’t provided, there is a risk we will lose markets,” he said, noting that new planting for the winter season is now beginning and that production and exports must be safeguarded.
EKA Secretary General Panikos Chambas described the rain as beneficial, noting that despite the problems intense weather events can cause, it was positive that the water was reaching the ground. He said tree crops and other cultivations had nonetheless faced problems, citing downy mildew in vineyards as an example, and stressed that despite the benefit from the rain, the water shortage problem still exists. “We shouldn’t get carried away now, because we’ve had some rain, and think the problem is solved,” he said.
He also acknowledged that available water quantities had been managed in recent times, noting that although this does not fully satisfy the farming movement given producers’ significant needs, the rain may allow things to ease somewhat.
On the same meeting, he said discussions would cover how water from the Southern Conveyor would be provided to potato producers. He said Cyprus cannot continue with reduced production, as this risks losing markets abroad, underlining the importance of maintaining exports.
The EKA Secretary General also said the desalination policy must continue, so Cyprus can become less dependent on weather conditions, along with proper management of treated water.
Pan-Agrarian Union of Cyprus President Kyriakos Kailas said every rainfall is welcome and beneficial, noting that the recent weather caused no damage, with rain more intense in some areas and lighter in others. “Even a little rain, however small, helps,” he said, explaining that it contributes to water savings and increases soil moisture.
He said the rain benefits trees, permanent crops and seasonal crops, and is especially helpful in mountainous areas, where it was more intense and water also reaches the dams. Even so, he noted that with high temperatures, evaporation is much greater. “If we hadn’t had this rain, we would certainly be in a worse position,” he said.
He added that more will be able to be said after the meeting with the new Minister next week.
(Information from Cyprus News Agency)
