With a central message the need for a constituted national water management plan, the Minister of Rural Development and Food Costas Tsiaras It was placed in the Greek Water Summit 2025, stressing that “water is not just a natural resource – it is the foundation of any viable policy on agricultural production and durability of the country.”

“There is no production at any level and at no one, I would say, dimension when there is no irrigation water. So, it is vital linked to having irrigation water with real production, “said Tsiaras, noting that the integrated national strategy that is developing is based on three axes:

1. Creating Regional Water Resources Management Bodies

2. Implementation of the HYDR 2.0 Height 4 billion euros

3. The rational management of the CAP resources by manufacturing key violent projects.

As he pointed out, “for the first time and here I think it is critical, we do not treat water as a problem, but as a basic growth infrastructure”

Mr Tsiaras highlighted the transition of government strategy from the fragmentary treatment of holistic water management, starting with the finding that emerged after the devastating Daniel bad weather: the main problem of Thessaly and the country is not the floods, but the lack of water.

New Regional Water Management Organizations

The minister referred to the establishment of single water management organizations in each region, recalling that the beginning was already made by Thessaly, with the recommendation of Oth. These bodies are responsible that have been scattered to TOEB, GEVs and other local agencies to date, creating a single, professional and development framework.

As he pointed out:

– Simplified today’s complex system,

– Improves maintenance and operational readiness of infrastructure,

– Cooperation with Municipalities, Regions, DEYA and EYDAP/EYATH, is promoted,

After Thessaly, similar organizations will be set up in Crete, the Peloponnese and Western Greece.

“In this way we will enable the creation of regional central irrigation water management organizations, so that there is a holistic approach and so we can get even greater results,” the YPATA said.

“Water 2.0” program – Investing 4 billion euros

Mr Tsiaras emphasized the savings of water resources through their rational management and noted that with the implementation of the “Water 2.0” program of 4 billion euros through PPPs, high -performance underground irrigation networks, “are projects that increase their performance, The main issue that concerns us, “Mr Tsiaras noted.

The Minister also presented actions in the same direction, which are part of the strategic plan of the CAP and the rational use of the resources of the Common Agricultural Policy:

– EUR 500 million in large irrigation infrastructure with the beneficiaries of the regions (the invitation has already been published),

– Program of small land improvement projects in collaboration with Municipalities (Call for Autumn 2025).

“There is really a very important planning in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and the Ministry of Civil Protection, with the aim of completing unfinished projects or doing some projects at all. A strategy has been unfolding lately and a design is being implemented that will allow the possibility of ensuring satisfactory resources for irrigation water in the coming years and of course the sustainability we want for the primary sector, which absorbs 80% – 85% of water resources, “he added.

Digitization, innovation and viability in irrigation

Mr. Tsiaras described the basic directions for the digital and technological transition of water management, with:

– Modernization and underground irrigation networks,

– Digital consumption monitoring,

– reuse of water from CEL (eg East Attica),

– techniques such as drip irrigation and small sprayers,

– Artificial intelligence and data analysis to prevent phenomena.

The government’s concern, the minister stressed, is “to take specific steps in order to ensure the sustainability and irrigation without, however, to sacrifice productivity”.

Emphasis on remote areas and islands

At the same time, Mr. Tsiaras referred to the enhanced role of the National Energy and Water Waste Regulatory Authority and the integrated design that exists and which, among other things, includes:

– Partnerships between EYDAP/EYATH and DEYA or Regional Organizations,

– Extension of water supply projects to islands and mountainous areas,

– Development of desalination units with sewage reuse.

European strategy and investment

Greece is actively involved in the new European water safety strategy:

– with the aim of improving efficiency by 10% by 2030,

– Participating in the EIB investment framework for water projects of € 15 billion by 2027.

In this endeavor is the role of ELGO-DIMITRA that is reinforced with the aim of offering:

– Education of farmers in the use of “smart” irrigation systems,

– Support of sustainable cultivation methods with less inputs,

– Transmission of documented data in agricultural planning.

At the same time, the presence of ELGO in areas with increased climate challenges is expanded.

Strategy of durable and prediction

Finally, the minister pointed out the need to use advanced forecasting models and climate analytics to tackle prolonged droughts and flooding phenomena.

“How to manage irrigation water by consuming it at the least possible with the same or even greater production performance is a big issue and the big bet of our time,” the minister stressed, stressing that the government now has the political will, tools and responsibility to implement this plan with all the plan.