With the aim of finalizing the new strategy for the development of the primary sector, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Maria Panagiotou, started meetings with groups of producers, farmers and professional fishermen in the province of Famagusta.
In a statement from the Ministry on Friday, it is stated that "the Minister, accompanied by the Director General of the Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Andreas Grigoriou, and officials of the Department of Agriculture toured on Thursday, April 25, until late afternoon in the area of free Famagusta".
It adds that “the tour is the first of a series of visits planned on a pan-Cypriot basis and will be completed within the next few weeks, with the aim of incorporating the views of all those involved in the new strategy for the development of the primary sector. The Minister, in order to consult key pillars that fall under the new strategy following the study carried out to formulate an integrated approach for the sustainable strengthening of the sector, met with groups of producers".
The purpose of the contact with the specific groups "was to record the challenges they face, as well as the needs of the agricultural sector, in order for the said Strategy to include tools that will bring about substantial solutions. This effort is part of the priorities of the governance program of Nikos Christodoulidis, which aims to increase the primary sector as a contribution to the GDP, as well as to ensure a fair income for farmers and the availability of high quality products at affordable prices", it states.
According to the announcement, "as part of her tour, the Minister visited the Liopetriou River, where she discussed with the professional coastal fishermen the problems arising from the delays in the completion of the restoration project of the fishing shelter in the river. Also, ways to improve and expand the fishing activity were discussed, so as to increase its efficiency and sustainability".
Mrs. Panagiotou also visited the District Office of the Department of Water Development, in Ormidia, "discussing the challenges that the Department has to face given climate change, water scarcity and increased water needs. Special mention was made of the government irrigation projects and the desalination units.
In addition, a visit was also made to the desalination plant in Dekelia "to inspect the facilities, which are an important source of water to cover the water needs of the free area of Famagusta".
The Minister also met with a delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Famagusta, in Paralimni, during which "issues such as the development of the agricultural products processing sector and the Local Development Plan of the province of Famagusta were discussed, among others. Finally, the issue of 'baptism' of Cypriot potatoes in Greece was mentioned, a matter for which the Ministry presented the measures being taken".
Famagusta.News
