Breaking news

EU Support Sought For Rural Demographic Revitalisation

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 16, 2024

Maria Panagiotou, the Cypriot Minister of Agriculture, has called upon the European Union to support the demographic revitalisation of rural areas. Addressing the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels, she emphasised the critical need for enhanced funding mechanisms under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to counteract rural depopulation and make these areas attractive to younger generations.

Panagiotou’s appeal aligns with broader European concerns over rural depopulation, a pressing issue that threatens the socio-economic fabric of many member states. The inaugural Council under the Hungarian EU Presidency highlighted demographic revitalisation as a key agenda, underscoring the shared challenges across the Union.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

The Cypriot government’s strategy hinges on a multi-faceted approach, leveraging a range of financial tools to support sustainable agricultural practices and improve rural infrastructure. These efforts aim to create viable economic opportunities that can attract and retain young people in rural communities. Panagiotou stressed that relying solely on national resources is insufficient to address these challenges, advocating for a bolstered CAP supplemented by additional EU funding streams.

Central to this strategy is the need to make small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises competitive and sustainable. The high cost of transporting goods from remote areas presents a significant barrier to profitability and growth. By enhancing CAP with additional financial instruments, Cyprus seeks to build the necessary infrastructure that can transform rural areas into thriving, attractive locations for new farmers and families.

The call for EU support reflects a recognition of the interconnected nature of rural development challenges and the need for a coordinated response. Panagiotou’s remarks underscore the urgency of action to ensure that rural areas do not become mere historical footnotes but instead vibrant, economically viable communities.

In conclusion, Cyprus’s request for EU assistance in rural demographic revitalisation is a strategic move aimed at sustainable development. It seeks to address the dual challenges of rural depopulation and economic viability, with a clear focus on creating a supportive environment for the next generation of farmers and rural inhabitants. The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other EU member states facing similar challenges, highlighting the importance of solidarity and coordinated action in addressing common European issues.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

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.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

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.