Farmers in Cyprus will receive compensation amounting to €19.28 million for damage sustained due to prolonged drought, hailstorms and frost, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Nicos Kouyialis said after a Council of Ministers meeting.
"The amount was decided following estimates by Cyprus Agricultural Insurance Organisation (OGA) after claims made by the affected farmers and the payments will begin immediately,” said Kouyialis in statements following the meeting, according to an official press release.
He said the payments will be given by priority to wheat producers, in a bid to actively assist the sowing period, citrus fruit producers, artichoke producers and azarole fruit producers who will receive 50% of the compensation with the remaining compensation to be paid gradually by the end of 2016.
“This is substantial government support to the rural world at an admittedly challenging time because of the weather patterns that prevailed. The Government puts its hand deep in its pocket, because of the weakness of OGA, and stands by the efforts of our farmers to expand our rural economy, " Kouyialis concluded.
Koyialis told the Parliament early in September that the government was forced to approve a supplementary budget as OGA`s cash reserves amounting to €2 million were just enough to cover only 10% of the total compensation.
Source: famagusta-gazette.com
