Cyprus Agriculture Ministry begins collecting farmers’ proposals ahead of agricultural policy review

Cyprus’s Ministry of Agriculture has begun collecting farmers’ proposals ahead of a review of agricultural policy. Minister Christos Senekis announced this on 29 August during a visit to the farmers’ market in Deryneia.

“Our aim is to listen to our producers and agricultural organisations in order to formulate the positions and proposals that we will put forward for the review of the new agricultural policy,” the minister said. The ministry is placing particular emphasis on strengthening the primary sector — the part of the chain where produce is grown rather than processed and sold.

Senekis also highlighted direct-trading venues such as the market in Deryneia, where producers sell to customers without intermediaries. “We believe that through this kind of direct contact, we increase producers’ incomes while also reducing the final price for consumers,” he said.

Responding to a question about water shortages, the minister said that compared with the difficulties of previous years, the current year had been relatively favourable. “This year, we had a relatively good water year. Of course, planning is under way to ensure sufficient water reserves for the coming years, but we are assessing the situation so that some additional volumes can be allocated in the near future,” Senekis said.