Athens [Greece], February 1: Greek farmers are planning protests across the country for Feb. 1, demanding sufficient financial aid pledged by the government with no delays.
Representatives of farmers' associations gathered to discuss mobilization plans at Palamas municipality in the Thessaly region in central Greece, one of the country's main agricultural production regions.
According to official estimates, the area was hit hard by a storm in September that caused extensive flooding, resulting in 15 fatalities and huge material damage amounting to about one billion euros (roughly 1.08 billion U.S. dollars).
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Tuesday announced an increase of up to 10,000 euros in the initial compensation approved by the government for damages caused by natural disasters last year, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.
Acknowledging that farmers have received only 2,000 euros so far, the prime minister reaffirmed the commitment to provide complete compensation for the losses incurred in crops and produce.
Vassilis Anagnostopoulos, an 81-year-old farmer, was among the homeless with no crops and had to move to his brother's home.
"We have not rebuilt our home. It is impossible. We cannot afford it," he told Xinhua.
Noting that the enormous destruction added to the increased energy and production costs, Kostas Tzellas, president of an association of farmers, said, "We are asking for diesel with no tax burden and low prices in electricity for farmers."
In recent weeks, farmers have started blocking highways with tractors. On Wednesday, more such blockades were reported in central and northern Greece.
Source: Xinhua
