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Agriculture Minister announces €109.3 million strategy for primary sector

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 11, 2024

Cyprus has launched a new strategy for its agricultural sector, aiming at sustainable development, innovation, and economic resilience.

Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development, and Environment Maria Panayiotou introduced the strategy at a press conference on 10 October, stressing that “it is not just an initiative, but a roadmap reflecting our vision for the future of Cypriot agriculture.”

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The strategy, which includes 11 key actions with a budget of €109.3 million, covers the period from 2024 to 2028 and was approved by the Council of Ministers on October 2, 2024.

“Our aim is to establish a new model for the primary sector, ensuring sustainable production, economic support, and access to new technologies,” Panayiotou said. She noted the government’s commitment to providing solid tools and support for farmers, moving beyond emergency measures to a robust, development-oriented approach.

The new strategy aims to increase the contribution of the agricultural sector to Cyprus’ GDP, which currently stands at 1.8%. It will focus on expanding the sector’s capabilities while promoting sustainability and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.

“We want to ensure the needs of the domestic market are met while promoting Cypriot products in new international markets,” Panayiotou added.

Key elements of the strategy include boosting the professional farming sector through priority measures and scoring systems, water management interventions to combat drought, and the adoption of smart farming technologies. The strategy will also address market gaps by supporting the use of untapped agricultural land and promoting cooperation among producer groups.

Panayiotou emphasised that the new strategy would support the long-term competitiveness of Cyprus’ agricultural sector, focusing on high-quality, affordable products for consumers and fair incomes for farmers.

The actions in the strategy will be funded through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and national resources, with the University of Cyprus’ Economic Research Centre tasked with evaluating its overall impact on the economy. The 11 actions cover areas such as green competitiveness, livestock sector support, new financing tools for agriculture, quality certification for Cypriot products, and risk management in agricultural production.

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Industry Uproar Over Reduction in Electric Vehicle Subsidies

by News Editor

April 26, 2025

The recent move by the government to curtail subsidies for electric vehicles has stirred significant discontent among car importers in Cyprus. The Department of Road Transport (DRT) has slashed available grants under the Electric Vehicle Promotion Scheme as of April 23, leading to a rapid depletion of the subsidy pool and leaving many potential applicants disappointed.

Importers’ Concerns

According to the Cyprus Motor Vehicle Importers Association (CMVIA), the lack of transparency and failure to engage stakeholders prior to the decision have eroded trust in the government’s commitments. Importers now find themselves facing a precarious situation, with substantial stocks of electric vehicles and mounting promotional expenditures.

Public Interest and EU Compliance

Although the scheme aimed to support the transition to zero-emission transport until 2025, the DRT states that the curtailing of funds was necessary to comply with European funding terms, which warned against delays in vehicle deliveries. This decision has fueled market uncertainty despite the application portal experiencing dynamic changes.

Industry’s Ongoing Demand

The CMVIA refutes any claims suggesting waning interest in electric vehicles, underscoring the rapid exhaustion of available grants as proof of substantial demand. They highlight the importance of meeting Cyprus’s green transition targets, including putting 80,000 electric vehicles on roads by 2030.

While the total budget for subsidies saw an increase to €36.5 million in 2023, thanks to additional funding, ongoing difficulties in timely vehicle distribution have led to premature closures of applications. In response, CMVIA has called for urgent dialogue with the Minister of Transport to reassess the decision, fearing that it could endanger the future of e-mobility in Cyprus.