Greek Agriculture Minister Schoinas redirects €80 million to irrigation infrastructure

Greek Agriculture and Food Development Minister Margaritis Schoinas announced that €80 million, released from suspended organic livestock and beekeeping programmes, will be allocated to water‑related projects and small‑scale public irrigation networks for municipalities. The funds aim to improve irrigation infrastructure and address the water‑scarcity issues highlighted by the 2025 drought, which also triggers about €2 million in de minimis aid for affected producers. Schoinas noted that a €21.6 million irrigation scheme proposed by the TOEB Kryas‑Lapsista is under evaluation, with a target to complete the selection process by autumn. The announcements were made during the second regional meeting of the National Dialogue on the new Common Agricultural Policy 2028‑2034, where Schoinas stressed the need for stronger water‑management policies and greater flexibility for Greece within the EU framework.