Visit of Lebanon to Argolida for the damages in the production of citrus

The situation prevailing in the production of oranges in Argolida, was closely examined by the Minister of Rural Development and Food Mr. Spilios Libanos, accompanied by the Argolida MP Mr. Giannis Andrianos, concluding his tour in areas affected by the recent frost.

The plain of Argolida, although it has ice protection systems, at the critical time they could not function properly, as the producers pointed out, due to a power outage by PPC.

They spoke of universal damage. The low temperatures that exceeded -5 degrees, it was pointed out, that will result in the fall of the foliage of the trees. Because the production of the region is export, it was pointed out that the disaster will also affect exports.

At the same time, representatives of juice factories stressed that the yield of fruits is decreasing day by day and the oranges they receive give less juice.

During the meeting organized by the Deputy Regional Head of Spatial Mr. Dimitris Schinochoritis, Mr. Libanos stressed that the goal of the government is to assess the damage as soon as possible and the immediate payment of compensation in a fair manner. He also noted that on the one hand the farmers and on the other the way of securing the production must be adapted to the new data formed by the climate crisis.

Regarding the management of the crisis created by the frost, he reminded that in the past the farmers were compensated after years, while now they are compensated immediately. He even reminded that compensations related to 2017 and that the SYRIZA government should have paid, were paid in December 2021. He pointed out that in 2021 ELGA paid to farmers for compensations from natural disasters, amounts over 400 million euros.

As he said, the prospects for Greek products are huge, especially in areas such as Argolida, which borders the country’s largest urban center, Athens.

In a remark to farmers about irrigation, Mr. Libanos referred to the “Water 2.0” program, which will change the course of agricultural production, as it is a program that has not been done since the 1950s.

Regarding the energy crisis, the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure noted that farmers now have the ability to generate electricity through photovoltaics up to 500 KW and said that there is a discussion about the possibility of vertical use of electricity and priority of farmers’ requests.

The Mayor of Argos-Mycenae Mr. Dim. Kamposos demanded the immediate payment of compensation and arrangements for electricity.

The Mayor of Ermionida, Mr. Giannis Georgopoulos, raised the issue of irrigation and salinization of water.

Andreas Poulas, KINAL MP stressed that our goal is to solve the problems created by the frost and said that the presence of the minister in the region was immediate. He demanded 100% compensation from ELGA, fast registration of damages and the payment of the largest possible compensation.

The representative of the Chamber, Mr. Damoulos, noted the direct presence of the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure in the region and raised the issue of covering the energy costs of production.

The president of ELGA Andreas Lykourentzos said that the law of 2010 will be implemented, which binds the Organization. He also said that 0.22 euros per acre have been insured for the oranges and the contracts that the farmers have signed with ELGA are binding. He stressed that it is not a matter of political decision, but implementation of legislation. He assured the producers that there will be justice and there will be no distortions. “No one will be wronged and no one will be favored at the expense of another,” said Mr. Lykourentzos, noting that “no ELGA employee will shake his head.” Responding to a request for an extension of the claims, he said that he was negative, because such a thing would delay the compensation program. He stressed that with a decision of the Ministries of Rural Development and Food and Finance, those agronomists who are necessary to make the assessments in time will be hired. Nevertheless, satisfying the request of the producers, he announced that a one-week extension will be given for the submission of declarations.

Responding to a proposal to give additional money to the Ministry of Regional Development and Infrastructure, Mr. Libanos noted that this can not be done, as the solutions must move within the framework set by the EU, otherwise the refund will be required, as was done in the past. . “Observance of laws and rules is a matter of solvency for all of us,” said Mr. Libanos.

A major issue raised at today’s meeting is whether compensation will be given on a per-zone basis or on an individual basis. The proposal of the Deputy Regional Minister of Agricultural Production, Mr. Stathis Anastassopoulos, is for the compensations to be given per zone. Several of the producers’ representatives called for a universal zone.

Mr. Libanos called on the producers, by the deadline for submission of declarations, to have formed a final opinion.

Outside the room of the Regional Council, a group of farmers asked Mr. Libanos to ask him about their problems. The Ministry of Regional Development invited them to participate in the meeting, but they did not want to. In a dialogue he had with the representative of the farmers Mr. Michalis Krokos, Mr. Libanos stressed that despite the different ideological starting point he has with this group of farmers, the goal of himself and the government on the one hand and the other on the other is common, and is none other than finding an immediate solution to the major problems they face. He mentioned the measures that have already been taken to support farmers and reduce production costs and announced that additional measures to support them will be announced immediately.

After the meeting, the Ministry of Regional Development met in his office with the Mayor of Argos-Mycenae Mr. Dimitris Kamposos.

Afterwards, Mr. Libanos visited the City Hall of Nafplio, where he had a meeting with the Mayor of Nafplio, Mr. Dimitris Kostouros.