€450 million Strategic Plan to support the agri-food sector

The main concern of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment is to support the agri-food sector, research, innovative applications and, in general, the economic strength of the sector, said the responsible Minister Petros Xenophontos, stressing that a key tool to promote this goal is the new Strategic Plan with a budget exceeding €450 million.

"A key tool in our hands is the new Strategic Plan with a budget that exceeds 450 million, which will be channeled into rural development actions", said the Minister of Agriculture in his greeting at the "Agricultural Development: From Research to Practice" conference.

As he said, the operation of the Knowledge and Innovation System in the agricultural sector, the interconnection of the research community with the system of Agricultural Applications and their strengthening through activities such as today's always have the seamless support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.

Mr. Xenophontos noted that the highlighting of innovative approaches and their introduction in the agri-food sector, especially through "Cooperation" interventions, is the key to agricultural and livestock holdings becoming more competitive, profitable and operating with sustainability as a basic principle.

He also pointed out that the program places special emphasis on innovative technologies and practices and on the possibility of exploiting the Strategic Plan by farm managers, research institutions and consultants by creating business groups.

These business groups, he said, are also the basic condition for the implementation of innovative ideas and projects through Intervention 6.2, entitled "Cooperation". So I urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity, he added.

Besides, Mr. Xenophontos pointed out that the high level of research work carried out in Cyprus, on a par with the results of research institutions of recognized prestige worldwide, proves the dynamics of Cyprus in applied research and innovation, while in Cyprus there is a strong system agricultural applications, implemented mainly by the Department of Agriculture, with its District Offices in all the free areas of Cyprus.

"These elements are an advantage for the comprehensive implementation of an effective system of knowledge transfer and promotion of innovation in the agricultural sector", he emphasized, noting that such a system, with the English name "Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System" or the acronym "AKIS" , is supported by the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan, which Cyprus, like all EU member states, has the obligation to operate effectively.

The conference was jointly organized by the National Agricultural Network of the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Institute and the Cyprus University of Technology.

Source: KYPE