Losses reported in Rizokarpaso and nearby villages as donkey population grows and destroys farmland.

Farmers in the Karpasia peninsula are seeking compensation after repeated damage to crops caused by wild donkeys.

Dursun Çebi, president of the Karpasia Protection Association, submitted a written request to the district authority in Trikomo, stating that producers in Rizokarpaso and surrounding villages have faced serious losses over an extended period. He said the growing number of donkeys has led to widespread destruction of cultivated land and reduced farm income.

Çebi explained that current agricultural insurance regulations do not cover this type of damage and called for changes so that losses linked to wild animals can be compensated.

He added that the donkeys are under state protection, which prevents residents from taking action against them, leaving farmers without practical solutions.

At the same time, rising costs for fertilizer, seeds and diesel have increased the financial pressure on producers, making the situation more difficult to manage.

The issue is not limited to farming. Donkeys frequently wander onto roads, leading to accidents, some of which have been fatal, creating a public safety risk.

Çebi called on authorities to assess the damage on site and provide compensation either through revisions to agricultural insurance laws or through a dedicated arrangement. He also urged coordinated steps to control the donkey population.

Source - https://knews.kathimerini.com.cy