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Investing in Smarter Agriculture: Cyprus Charts a Path Toward a Resilient Primary Sector

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 8, 2025

Advancing a Sustainable, Competitive Future

Cyprus is set to transform its primary sector through an ambitious Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2023-2027. With an allocation exceeding €450 million for rural development, this initiative underscores the nation’s commitment to creating a sustainable, future-proof agriculture industry built on smart technologies and precision farming techniques.

Embracing Smart Agriculture in Field Crops

Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou outlined the plan’s core vision during a training session at the University of Cyprus focused on smart agriculture in field crops. In collaboration with the Agricultural University of Athens, further training sessions will expand the scope by addressing advanced applications in greenhouse management and livestock farming.

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Precision Farming to Optimize Resources

Minister Panayiotou emphasized that smart agriculture is the sole viable strategy for achieving increased productivity with fewer resources. Amid challenges such as water scarcity, rising production costs, and climate variability, the integration of technologies like remote sensing, GPS, robotics, and drones is pivotal. These innovations enable targeted use of inputs—water, nutrients, and plant protection measures—thus allowing farmers to harness real-time data for optimal decision-making.

Overcoming Challenges Through Innovation

Despite the technological advances already making inroads into agricultural practices, challenges remain. High equipment costs, the prevalence of small, fragmented landholdings, and the need for digital skill development among farmers pose significant hurdles. Nonetheless, the government remains committed to bolstering the agri-food sector by incentivizing research, innovation, and modern farm management practices.

A Strategic Investment in the Future

The strategic plan’s modernization efforts include subsidies for state-of-the-art agro-meteorological stations, smart water meters, robotic weed control systems, and AI-driven plant protection tools. Additionally, an investment package of €67.5 million will support large-scale agricultural projects, with special grants aimed at fostering innovations among young farmers.

Collaboration for a Resilient Sector

Drawing inspiration from leading models such as the Dutch agricultural framework, Cyprus is uniting government, industry, and academia to drive forward a more resilient, efficient, and digitally empowered agricultural sector. By embracing these transformative technologies, the island nation is poised to secure a competitive edge in the global market while ensuring food adequacy and environmental stewardship.

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EU Tightens Steel Imports As Overcapacity Hits 721M Tonnes

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 14, 2026

Robust Regulatory Framework

Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, together with the European Parliament, reached a provisional agreement on measures addressing global steel overcapacity. The regulation targets trade diversion and excess supply while maintaining compliance with international trade rules. The framework also aims to preserve operational flexibility for downstream industries.

Safeguarding Employment And Environmental Commitments

Global steel overcapacity is projected to reach 721 million tonnes by 2027, compared with EU annual consumption levels. The measures are linked to the protection of around 2.5 million jobs. Policy direction also aligns with EU decarbonisation targets within the industrial sector.

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Enhanced Trade Controls And Supply Chain Traceability

The regulation introduces tariff-free quotas of 18.3 million tonnes annually. Imports exceeding thresholds will be subject to a 50% duty. Measures cover 30 steel product categories and will replace current safeguards expiring on June 30, 2026. A “melt and pour” requirement is included to improve supply chain traceability.

Diversifying Import Sources And Reducing Dependencies

Rules apply to imports from all countries, excluding European Economic Area members, which remain subject to traceability requirements. The framework also reduces reliance on specific external suppliers, including Russia. Michael Damianos, Energy Minister of Cyprus, said the steel sector remains important for economic activity and energy transition. Bernd Lange, Chair of the European Parliament’s INTA Committee, said the measures address trade practices and market conditions.

Looking Ahead

The agreement introduces a revised tariff-rate quota system with import quotas reduced by approximately 47% compared with 2024. Limited carry-over flexibility will apply in the first year. The European Commission will review the measures in subsequent years. Formal adoption by the European Parliament and the Council is expected before implementation on July 1, 2026.