The European Commission today proceeded with the registration of Kolokasi-Sotira / Kolokasi-Poules Sotiras in the register of designations of origin and protected geographical indications.
Kolokasi-Sotiras / Kolokasi-Poules Sotiras is the 3rd product in a row that is registered in the register of Protected Designations of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) after the Paphite sausage and the Sweet Rose.
Commenting on the publication of the product name registration in the official gazette of the European Union, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Nikos Kougialis said that the registration of agri-food products as geographical indications (PDO and PGI) creates conditions for real growth, with the support of small businesses. , creating employment prospects and improving living conditions in rural areas.
The Minister stated that he was particularly pleased, emphasizing that the program of the Government of Nikos Anastasiadis for the registration of agricultural products is being implemented.
As he mentioned, the two characteristics of the cultivation of Kolokasi, that is, its excellent adaptability to the soil-climatic conditions of the region and the know-how developed and applied by the producers of Sotira, were the ones that were imprinted and emphasized more in the file for securing the name "Kolokasi Sotira" as PDO.
The product will be produced in the Province of Famagusta and more specifically in the municipality of Sotira.
The importance of today's patenting is considered particularly important, as more and more effective tools will be given to producers and organized bodies for further promotion and promotion of the product.
Mr. Kougialis also mentioned that through the registration of our traditional products, the Cypriot cuisine and gastronomy are highlighted and the tourist product of Cyprus is substantially enriched, while with the current registration, Cyprus enters the map of Protected Designations of Origin and Protected Geographical Indications for good. .
The registration of halloumi remains a big bet for the Ministry, while the files for the registration of several agri-food products have already been forwarded to the European Commission, such as the Pitsilias Pig, Posyrtis, Lountzas Pitsilias, Sausage Pitsilimos and Rodostas.
The government's effort for the development of the rural economy and consequently the countryside is continuous and persistent, he noted, noting that under the difficult economic conditions that our country is currently going through, the Ministry attaches special importance to the registration of our excellent traditional products. as a PDO or PGI.
The preservation and promotion of the traditional cultures of our place is the path that we must all follow, we must insist on Cypriot, to insist on traditional and remain truly faithful to the roots and traditions of our place, said the Minister.
The Mayor of Sotiras, Mr. Georgios Takkas in his turn expressed his satisfaction with the completion of the certification of the colocasia and said that the efforts of the initiative started by the Municipality of Sotiras together with the producers of the colocasia of Sotiras are finally being rewarded and new levels, both in terms of production and promotion.
Mr. Takkas noted that the Municipality of Sotiras has linked its development with its local product and for this reason has made a dynamic promotion in recent years, which have finally created fruit. In this way, he said, immediate benefits will be created for the producers of Sotira, since on the one hand the production has already increased sharply, on the other hand the interest for exports has already become more lively.
At the same time, he referred to the 2nd Kolokassi Tasting Night, which is scheduled for Saturday, September 10 at Agia Theklas beach, where famous and distinguished chefs will create new alternative gourmet recipes based on kolokasi, which the public will be able to try. This event, as he mentioned, is an initiative of the Municipality of Sotiras, which has contributed to the introduction of kolokasi in every kitchen and in every recipe of Cypriot gastronomy.
Mayor Sotiras referred, finally, to the efforts made by the Municipality of Sotiras in recent years, both in terms of promoting the Municipality at every level, where one of them is the protection of local heritage and its promotion, with parallel benefits, such as support for the agricultural sector.
It is reminded that the courgette has received in 2015 the Gourmet Award for Best Agricultural Product.
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