The Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy Stefanos Gikas had a meeting with the Minister of Rural Development and Food Costas Tsiaras yesterday, at the Ministry of Rural Development.

The main topic of discussion was the scarcity of water on the islands and the ever-increasing needs of water supply and irrigation.

The topic of the two important calls of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023–2027, for the submission of proposals in the framework of interventions “P3-75.1 – settlement of young farmers” and “P3-73-1.2 – improving access to agricultural land and livestock holdings”.

After the meeting, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy stated:

“I had an interesting meeting with the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras.

I primarily raised the issue of the lack of water on the islands and the necessity of immediate interventions, in order to also solve the issue of irrigation.

In this context, I asked to consider the possibility of financing from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food the supply and installation of brackish and/or seawater desalination units for the islands, for irrigation purposes.

I also mentioned to Mr. Tsiaras the importance of the new support program for young farmers, which amounts to €44,000 for residents of small islands with a population of up to 3,100 inhabitants. In fact, 70% of the amount of support will be paid upon the inclusion of the producer in the measure and the remaining 30% upon certification of the correct completion of the business plan. It is indeed an essential measure with a developmental sign.

I also underlined that the expected call for the rural road construction of the Municipalities, will significantly help the accessibility of plots of land, which in some islands have been abandoned and there is the intention to utilize them.

The specific program in total will reach €65,000,000 and in this context, I encourage the island municipalities to submit funding applications”.