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Cyprus Invests €10 Million To Empower Agricultural Sector

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Cyprus is making a substantial investment of €10 million to bolster its agricultural sector, aiming to modernize and enhance the sustainability of rural economies. This initiative, which provides substantial subsidies to farmers and producers, focuses on critical areas such as infrastructure development, the adoption of innovative and energy-efficient technologies, and the promotion of organic farming practices. The government’s goal is to increase productivity, improve the competitiveness of Cypriot agricultural products, and ensure the long-term viability of the sector.

The program is particularly focused on fostering innovation within the sector. By supporting the adoption of new technologies, such as advanced irrigation systems and precision farming tools, the initiative aims to optimize resource use and increase yields. This technological upgrade is expected to not only boost productivity but also reduce the environmental impact of farming practices, aligning with broader sustainability goals.

In addition to technological improvements, the investment also seeks to support the development of organic farming, which has been identified as a key growth area for Cypriot agriculture. By promoting organic practices, the program aims to meet the rising demand for high-quality, environmentally friendly products both domestically and in international markets. This focus on organic farming is part of a larger trend towards sustainability in agriculture, which is increasingly being recognized as essential for long-term economic and environmental health.

The investment is also designed to support the social fabric of rural areas. By providing financial incentives and support for young farmers, the government hopes to encourage a new generation to enter the agricultural sector, countering the trend of rural depopulation. This is critical for maintaining the vitality of rural communities and ensuring that Cyprus’s agricultural traditions continue to thrive.

Furthermore, this initiative is expected to create a ripple effect across the economy. By enhancing the agricultural sector’s productivity and sustainability, the program will likely lead to increased exports of Cypriot agricultural products, boosting the island’s economy. The government’s strategic focus on agriculture as a key economic driver underscores the sector’s importance to Cyprus’s overall economic development.

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

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