Greek Deputy Minister Giannis Andrianos pushes ad‑hoc farm aid and regional development plans

Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Giannis Andrianos met with agricultural cooperatives in Agia, Lari, to discuss severe frost damage to pear and cherry orchards. The freeze left many varieties at the pre‑flowering stage, excluding them from ELGA insurance, and caused a 60‑70 % drop in production with costs of about €1,200 per hectare. Andrianos said the ministry is evaluating all possible measures, including an ad‑hoc support programme, while aligning national aid with EU regulations.

A month later, Andrianos presented the National Strategy for Regional and Local Development in Pella. He highlighted the area's strong agricultural base and announced funding for 39,680 project beneficiaries totalling €325.58 million, of which €220.4 million has been disbursed. Additional investments include €40 million from the Recovery Fund, a €75 million dam for irrigation, and €48.5 million for water‑management projects. ELGA compensation to Pella reached €301.3 million over 2020‑2025. The minister stressed that improved water and irrigation infrastructure are crucial for resilience amid climate pressures.