“Our goal is to prevent the abandonment of rural areas and to revitalise local communities,” stresses Dr Makis Antoniadis, Director of the Department of Agriculture at the Ministry of Agriculture, in an interview with “Phileleftheros”, during which he analyses the cost of the devastating wildfire that hit the mountainous region of Limassol.
He outlines the support programmes for those affected and calls on them to take advantage of the recovery schemes in order to contribute to the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the impacted areas. Dr Antoniadis emphasises that the objectives of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) include tangible support for farmers and livestock breeders, tackling the climate crisis, addressing the demographic ageing of rural populations, and reducing high production costs.
He also points out that the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026 is expected to play a crucial role in the course of the discussions and negotiations, always with the aim of safeguarding the resources and flexibility required to ensure the viability of our rural regions.
–After such a catastrophic wildfire, we must take new steps to keep rural areas alive and productive in terms of agriculture and livestock. Is anything changing?
As the Department of Agriculture, we closely monitor the immense pressures faced by Cyprus’s rural landscape. The devastating wildfire of 23 July 2025 in the semi-mountainous areas of Limassol, combined with the ongoing negative effects of climate change and drought, leave no room for complacency.
Climate change is having major negative consequences, with the most pressing issue being severe drought conditions affecting the countryside. We are now in the third consecutive year of drought, and the prolonged period of extremely low rainfall has placed significant strain on agricultural production and the livelihoods of rural communities. At the same time, pressure on underground water reserves for irrigation is mounting.
The seriousness of the drought threatens not only food production but also the environmental sustainability and resilience of rural areas. Extended drought conditions increase the risk of forest fires and also lead to soil degradation, land abandonment, and the gradual desertification of the Cypriot countryside. These risks became a harsh reality with the recent wildfire in the semi-mountainous region of Limassol, which caused severe damage to mountain communities and farmland.
In light of these challenges, the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is more critical than ever. Discussions on the new CAP are ongoing, and we must seize this opportunity to shape a policy that genuinely supports farmers and livestock breeders, tackles the climate crisis and demographic ageing in rural areas, and curbs the high cost of production.
Furthermore, the upcoming Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU, in the first half of 2026, is expected to play a decisive role in the progress of discussions and negotiations, always aiming to maintain the resources and flexibility that are essential for the sustainability of our rural areas.
–After the fire, we heard concerns about the lack of policy for a safer countryside. The Minister spoke of a pilot programme for selective grazing in Tilliria, aimed at tackling urban encroachment into forested or formerly cultivated areas. What can you tell us about this plan and when will it be rolled out to rural regions more broadly?
It’s true that over recent decades, a large portion of agricultural land – particularly in mountainous and semi-mountainous areas – has been abandoned, leading to an accumulation of flammable biomass that poses a serious wildfire risk. In addition, grazing activity in many areas has decreased significantly, causing the build-up of plant material which dries out in the summer and can easily ignite, sparking major fires. This is particularly concerning in areas bordering forests, where fires can spread rapidly, resulting in severe ecological and economic damage.
Recognising this, and following instructions from the Minister, the Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Department of Forests, has begun piloting a selective grazing programme in two areas within the Pyrgos Tillirias zone. Our goal is to analyse the outcomes with a view to expanding the programme in 2026 to a further two or three areas in the Solea region, in cooperation with livestock farmers.
The project, which will run in pilot form until the end of 2026, includes light infrastructure for short-term animal housing, such as the installation of water points. At this stage, we are assessing the grazing capacity of these areas, with the aim of matching grazing intensity to that capacity using herds from the wider region. Simultaneously, animal movements are being tracked using GPS collars, and the effect of grazing on reducing combustible vegetation is being measured using remote sensing techniques and field observation.
At the end of the project, the data will be evaluated, and awareness-raising and dissemination activities will be planned. The ultimate aim is full-scale implementation of the programme and its inclusion in Cyprus’s new Strategic CAP Plan for the period beyond 2027.
–Do you have final estimates for the total damage in mountainous Limassol after the fire, and how will the affected farmers and livestock breeders be supported?
Unfortunately, the wildfire burned more than 14,000 decares, affecting around 1,500 farmers and livestock breeders. The Council of Ministers, in its meeting on 30 July 2025, approved three measures with a total maximum budget of €23.5 million, all to be implemented by the Department of Agriculture.
The first measure, which has already been carried out, provided immediate financial assistance equivalent to 100% of one year’s income loss for all farmers and livestock breeders in the affected area. More than €3 million in aid was distributed to 1,266 beneficiaries.
In addition, the Council of Ministers approved:
- An Emergency Special Scheme for reactivation and restoration of infrastructure and equipment for both professional and non-professional farmers and livestock breeders.
- An Investment Scheme for affected individuals not eligible under the Emergency Special Scheme.
Support can reach up to 80% of total losses, depending on the specific provisions of each scheme. Both schemes were announced on 2 August 2025, with the application deadline set for 15 September 2025. Payments will be made at regular intervals, depending on the progress of restoration actions. So far, 900 applications have been submitted.
-What are the main eligibility criteria for applying for reactivation schemes, and what are the next steps after the application period ends?
The reactivation schemes are a key support mechanism for those affected by natural disasters, with a focus on restoring farming and livestock operations. The Department of Agriculture is accepting applications from all affected farmers and livestock breeders—both professionals and non-professionals—for:
- Tree crops
- Irrigation systems
- Agricultural equipment
- Machinery
- Permanent agricultural structures
- Livestock facilities for sheep and goats
- Equipment for these facilities
Once the Damage Declarations are collected, department officials will begin evaluating the applications. Beneficiaries will receive an initial payment of 30% based on eligible actions. Final aid may reach up to 80% of total losses, as specified in the schemes.
Please note: for eligible actions requiring building permits, these must be submitted before any aid is disbursed. In the case of unauthorised structures, legality will be assessed according to procedures set by the Ministry of the Interior.
Our goal is to prevent rural abandonment and revive local communities. We therefore urge affected individuals to take advantage of the reactivation schemes to support the economic, social, and environmental viability of the affected regions.
–What’s the plan for livestock units affected by the fire? Is relocation an option?
A total of 42 livestock units, mainly sheep and goat farms, were affected. At the initiative of the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, free animal feed was provided to affected livestock farmers to cover immediate needs. In addition, compensation was paid for first-year income loss, mainly due to lost milk production and reduced grazing capacity.
Beyond this, affected livestock farmers are eligible to participate in the reactivation and restoration schemes. They may also relocate their facilities to a different plot within the appropriate zones of the affected communities.
–What are the most common mistakes found in Damage Declarations?
The most frequent error is incomplete declarations, where farmers fail to list all crops or actions affected by the fire. However, farmers can still submit supplementary declarations and may also file an appeal if they disagree with the damage assessment issued after the on-site inspection.
I want to stress that officials from the Department of Agriculture are always available to assist and guide the farming community in completing and submitting the required documents correctly.
-Are there scheduled visits or inspections of affected areas by Department officials?
Immediately after the fire was extinguished, teams from the Department of Agriculture visited affected areas to carry out on-site assessments and improve coordination of support efforts. Officials are also receiving applications and conducting targeted field inspections to assess the extent of the damage.
This process is still ongoing and will continue until all necessary inspections are completed prior to disbursing aid. We also plan to provide tailored agricultural advice to affected individuals on appropriate cultivation techniques to help restore their agricultural capacity as effectively as possible.
Reducing fire risk using plant residue
–Aside from the emergency measures you’ve mentioned, is the Department of Agriculture planning any additional actions?
Yes, the Department of Agriculture has launched additional actions. More specifically, the possibility of covering the cost of shredders for use by communities bordering forested areas has already been included in the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. The goal of this Intervention is the effective management of plant waste, such as branches and leaves. The shredded waste can be used for composting or as a ground cover, thus reducing the risk of fires and providing a sustainable solution for its management. The budget for the first call of the Action (October 2, 2024 – January 31, 2025) was €500,000. 17 applications were submitted by Local Government Authorities, which were approved in April 2025. This Intervention is expected to be re-announced in September 2025 with a similar total budget, and we call on Community Councils to take advantage of this opportunity.
Also, the Department of Agriculture, as the Managing Authority of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, utilising the provisions of the relevant European Regulation concerning exceptions from CAP rules in cases of force majeure and exceptional circumstances, sent a letter to KOAP to provide relevant facilities and exceptions to applicants of the OPSAA interventions regarding the “Restructuring and Conversion of Vineyards” and the “Installation of a Linear Support System“ whose plots have been affected by the fire of July 23, 2025. Furthermore, within the framework of the large investment measure, with a total budget of €60,000,000, which was announced by the Minister in June with the submission of applications starting in September, a special provision has been included to grant an additional 15 points to fire victims in the Limassol district, if they wish to operate in the area and implement additional investments beyond those that pre-existed, which are also being compensated.
In addition to the above, the possibility of formulating additional actions related to the restoration of fully abandoned or under-abandonment vineyard areas is also being studied. At this stage, we cannot provide more details because the matter is still under study.
–Do you have a broader plan for keeping the countryside as a productive area, because what we see is the gradual urbanisation of areas near large municipalities and the desertification of remote areas?
The preservation of the countryside and its population is one of the main goals of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as the countryside plays a significant role in agricultural production, the environment, social cohesion, and cultural heritage. The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy is implemented in Cyprus through the CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, with a budget of 454 million euros, and is gradually being applied through the calls for individual interventions. These interventions include, among other things, direct aid to ensure a stable income for farmers, the implementation of agri-environmental measures to promote environmentally friendly practices, interventions concerning the use of recycled water and smart irrigation systems, as well as actions aimed at improving the quality of life in the countryside and developing the local economy. In both the current and the new programming period, the successful implementation of the CAP is a significant challenge for the sustainability and development of our country’s primary sector, especially considering the successive crises. Our goal is to design our policies based on the specifics and specialized needs of our primary sector. A characteristic example of this effort is the emphasis placed on mountainous areas with the aim of reducing abandonment through the small investment measure, which was oriented toward mountainous Cyprus. The fact that the holistic solution to the water issue is also underway gives a general hope for engaging in agriculture, which is now widely accepted as being both green and fire-resistant and, in addition to crops, also offers protection.