In 180 million euro the budget for the actions and projects that are in progress for the development of the primary sector in the prefecture of Kastoria as emphasized by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras during the event “National Strategy for Regional and Local Development – We Discuss, We Decide , We are moving forward, TOGETHER for Kastoria”.

As he emphasized, among other things, there is coordinated government action for the implementation of the national strategy regarding the development of Kastoria and he added that this strategy responds to the cry of anguish emitted by local agencies to contain the population in the area.

Mr. Tsiaras noted that there will be an ad hoc 16 million program euros that will concern apple producerswhich is expected to be paid by April, since the damage they suffered is not foreseen by the ELGA regulation.

Among others, the Minister of Rural Development referred to the projects promoted through the financial tools in which the ministry participates.

Specifically, the 180 million euros are distributed as follows:

About 71.8 million have been paid from the Rural Development Program. euros to 6,497 beneficiary farmers and breeders. To improve crops, land improvement projects, dams and irrigation networks have been started with a budget of 87 million. euro. Also, 9 rural road construction projects are being implemented, with a budget of 4.3 million. euro.

With financing from the Recovery and Resilience Fund, 5 private investment projects are financed with a budgeted public expenditure of 5 million. euros and an investment plan is under evaluation, with a budgeted public expenditure of 3 million. euro. Also, in 2024, compensations of 8.4 million were paid by ELGA. euros to 1,289 beneficiaries.

Also, according to the announcement of the HYPAAT, Mr. Tsiaras said:

  • From the Rural Development Program (RDP) 2014-2022, to date 6,497 beneficiaries have received 71.8 million euro.

Indicative:

  • Equalizing compensation (supporting farmers in disadvantaged areas to compensate for additional costs due to geographical restrictions) 19.2 million. euros and 4,498 beneficiaries
  • Improvement Plans: 13.2 million euros and 252 beneficiaries
  • Organic agriculture and animal husbandry: 7.1 million euros and 381 beneficiaries
  • Business start-up for young farmers: 9.8 million euros and 355 beneficiaries
  • Implementation of CLLD/LEADER strategic development actions: 7.3 million euros and 62 beneficiaries

Regarding land improvement projects:

1. Construction of Nestorius Dam: Budget 49,000,000 euros. It concerns the Construction of a dam, 75 m high, on the Aliakmonas River, in Nestorio, Kastoria, and the creation of an 823-acre artificial lake. The irrigation will cover 75,000 hectares and will allow for the restructuring of arid crops with new dynamics with an emphasis on beans, while its irrigation network that is under study will change the production map especially after the crisis in the fur industry and the effects of the attack of of Russia in Ukraine, as it will open up new possibilities for agricultural production throughout Kastoria.

2. Irrigation network of Germas: budget 5 million euro. The project covers a total arable area of ​​3,278 sq. and includes:

  • The central water transfer pipe from the location of the existing well of the dam’s intake pipe to the area to be irrigated.
  • The distribution network with the required water intakes and
  • Small technical and network control wells

3. Dipotamia Dam and irrigation networks in the Municipality of Nestorio:

Budget of 33,000,000 euros. project concerns a 30 m high dam. With clay core with 900,000 m3 reservoir. The irrigation networks cover an area of ​​3,500 acres.

Rural Road Construction Projects

  • Improving accessibility to the agricultural holdings of the farms of the Municipality of Argos Orestikos. Budget: 2.62 million euros for 5 projects, with the Municipality of Argos Orestikos as beneficiary
  • Improvement of rural roads in the estate area of ​​Kastoria and Kalochori-Chartista. Budget: 1 million euros for 2 projects, with the Municipality of Kastoria as beneficiary
  • Improvement of existing rural road construction of the Municipality of Nestorio.

Budget: 686,000 euros for 2 projects, with the Municipality of Nestorio as beneficiary.

Private Investments with funding from the Recovery and Resilience Fund

Axes:

  • Green agritourism
  • Modernization of the primary domain
  • Innovation and green transition in agricultural processing
  • Strengthening aquaculture

Axis: Green Agritourism

• a) 1 investment project is implemented, with a public expenditure of 3.5 million. euros and a total budget of 7 million euro.

• b) At evaluation stage 3 investment projects, with a public expenditure of 1.5 million. euros and a total budget of 3 million euro.

ELGA compensations

This year:

  • Compensations totaling 8.4 million have been paid. euros to 1,289 beneficiaries for losses that occurred in 2023, mainly in the cultivation of beans and apples.
  • 113 damage reports and 1,199 damage reports have been submitted, with the main causes of damage:

– the May rains, which affected sanodic crops,

– the July heatwave, which mainly affected bean crops,

– the August – September hailstorms, which mainly affected horticultural and tree crops (mainly apples).

– The assessments have been completed

– The formulation of the assessment findings has begun.

Fisheries, Aquaculture and Sea Program 2021-2027

Strategic Local Development Area (Fishing Zones): Inland Water Region of Western Macedonia.

Budget: 4,300,000 euros.