Mamonia: Creating new financing opportunities for farmers, with the aim of implementing investments in the primary sector and strengthening the sustainability of rural communities are among the priorities, Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis said, in an address at an event held on Friday in the village of Mamonia, Paphos district.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Senekis emphasized the importance of supporting the primary sector and revitalizing the countryside. He pointed out that the government's goal is to create opportunities for young people to remain in their villages or return and become active in agriculture.
Senekis highlighted the introduction of a new financing tool for the primary sector. He mentioned that farmers who receive approval for investments through the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy will have the option to partner with participating banking institutions to secure liquidity on more favorable terms.
The Strategic Plan boasts a total funding of 454 million euros, with 373 million euros coming from European contributions. Senekis also revealed that the government is already preparing for future phases of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to further strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the primary sector, thus creating greater prospects for the new generation of producers.
Additionally, Senekis made special mention of the LEADER initiative, through which the village of Mamonia is part of the Local Action Group 'Paphos Development Company 'Aphrodite' LTD'. He detailed that approximately 2.8 million euros have been allocated for this initiative, enabling the funding of projects and actions that support local development and emphasize the culture, history, and tradition of the area.