This Thursday, September 24, farmers in Corsica organized demonstrations in front of the regional prefectures, demanding more support from the French government to address the challenges they face. The protests temporarily blocked the ports of Ajaccio and Bastia, major entry points for goods on the island. The farmers secured a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, but the port in Bastia remained blocked into the evening. The demonstrations were aimed at highlighting what the farmers describe as a lack of government support, especially in the face of severe droughts and rising temperatures that have affected agriculture on the island. Following a five-hour meeting with the prefect of Corsica, the farmers were promised a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Annie Genevard, scheduled for next Wednesday. However, the port blockades continued into Friday evening, causing traffic difficulties in the centers of Ajaccio and Bastia. The protesters are seeking guarantees that the minister will attend the meeting, as well as assurances about the outcomes of the discussions. Jean-Baptiste Arena, president of the agricultural chamber, stated that the farmers are giving the government a chance to resolve the issues through dialogue, but warned that if they are not satisfied after Wednesday, they may resume their protests. Despite the meeting, the unity among agricultural unions has been strained. Some groups, including FDSEA and the Coordination Rurale, expressed dissatisfaction with the results. A number of unionists chose to remain at the Bastia prefecture, keeping the port blockades in place. The prefecture announced that a delegation of Corsican farmers will meet with the Ministry of Agriculture on September 30, alongside representatives from various government agencies. The meeting will focus on implementing an emergency plan for drought, as well as new financial measures, including a 250 million euro compensation fund and a rearmament program for agriculture. The demonstrations saw hundreds of protesters, with around 150 in Ajaccio and 200 in Bastia, where some protesters set fire to tires and pallets. Demonstrations also took place in smaller towns like Calvi and Sartene, and several schools on the island were affected, with eight institutions reportedly blocked. The protests were part of a broader movement that began earlier in the month, with farmers demanding a "treatment commensurate with the situation" given the extreme drought and rising temperatures. The upcoming meeting with the Minister of Agriculture may provide an opportunity to address these concerns and adapt the national agricultural support plan to the specific needs of Corsica.