Expanding Cyprus’ Agricultural Horizons
In a recent visit to the Akhelia agricultural estate, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou outlined her ministry’s ambitious goals for the primary sector. The minister emphasized the government’s commitment to bolstering the sector’s contribution to the nation’s gross domestic product and enhancing its exports. One of the key objectives is to attract young professionals to agriculture, ensuring the industry’s future.
Panayiotou detailed plans to create a supportive environment for agricultural development, incorporating incentives, infrastructure improvements, and a variety of strategic initiatives. She highlighted that the ministry has been actively engaging with farmers, taking their feedback into consideration for policy-making.
The minister’s tours across Cyprus’ agricultural regions are part of a broader strategy to revitalize the primary sector. This initiative, she noted, responds to a directive from President Nikos Christodoulides and has been crafted in partnership with agricultural organizations and farmers’ collectives. Panayiotou’s approach is hands-on, aimed at ensuring that the government’s measures align with farmers’ needs while also addressing any new challenges they face.
With climate change posing significant threats to agriculture through force majeure events like floods and droughts, Panayiotou acknowledged the ministry’s efforts in developing strategies to mitigate these risks. She spoke of empowering farmers with access to advanced technologies that can help protect their livelihoods against such unpredictable occurrences.
Having already visited the Famagusta and Paphos districts, Panayiotou is set to continue her engagement with the agricultural community by touring areas in Limassol, Paphos, and Larnaca in the coming week. Her visits underscore a proactive government stance on supporting and evolving Cyprus’ agricultural sector in the face of modern challenges.
