Protaras:The Cyprus Government has approved an additional £2 million to support young individuals entering the agricultural sector, as announced by President Nikos Christodoulides at the 10th Agricultural Culture Festival organized by the Cyprus Agricultural Payments Organisation (CAPO).
According to Cyprus News Agency, President Christodoulides revealed that over £20 million had already been disbursed to combat the effects of foot-and-mouth disease, while £4.6 million was allocated for farmers affected by drought. Another £1 million scheme has been sanctioned to address rising costs and additional needs in the primary sector.
The President emphasized the growing interest among the younger generation in agriculture and assured them of governmental backing. The additional funding was necessary as the initial resources under the new scheme were exhausted, ensuring all interested young individuals can benefit.
Acknowledging the challenges such as climate change and the demand for safe, high-quality food, President Christodoulides stated that the government's role is to transform these into opportunities for a more competitive and sustainable sector. He noted the EU's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as a key instrument in fortifying agriculture, with Cyprus's CAP Strategic Plan benefiting from £454 million in funding.
Discussions on the next CAP programming period will commence on October 8, with Cyprus aiming for an agreement that meets the farming community's needs. The President also mentioned financial support due to external pressures like the war in Ukraine, which have increased agricultural input costs. An initial £2.5 million support scheme was introduced, with an additional £1 million recently approved.
The revised national strategy for the primary sector includes technology, attracting young farmers, and improving agricultural product quality and market availability. CAPO has distributed over £2.5 billion in grants since its inception 22 years ago, with Cyprus achieving the highest absorption rates among EU member states this year.