Breaking news

Larnaca’s €30 Million Development Projects Stalled Amid Licensing Dispute

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The city of Larnaca faces significant delays in the execution of crucial infrastructure projects worth €30 million due to a licensing standoff with Kition Ocean Holdings Ltd. Local authorities demand that these mature projects be prioritised over the broader development of the port and marina, citing pending directives from Kition’s legal team.

Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades assured StockWatch that the government remains committed to executing these projects before the larger port and marina developments, pending a resolution with Kition. This includes paying the €800,000 owed by Kition for various planning and building permits.

These mature projects include upgrading the deteriorating marina, repairing the pier, and developing essential facilities such as the yacht club, police and customs offices, and government buildings for passport control. Additionally, plans include creating retail spaces, restaurants, green areas, and sports facilities to enhance the marina’s attractiveness.

Mayor Andreas Vyras stressed the urgency of decoupling these projects from Kition to expedite their implementation using state funds. The President of Cyprus has pledged to find a solution to liberate these projects from the current impasse and ensure their swift execution.

Minister Vafeades is finalising a report outlining all potential development scenarios with their respective pros, cons, and timelines. This report will be reviewed by the President, who will decide the optimal path forward for the development of Larnaca’s port and marina.

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.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
eCredo
Aretilaw firm
Uol

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter