-
.
- Русский
It is with great pleasure that I have accepted your invitation to address the local products presentation festival organized by SEDIGEP Argaka, in cooperation with the Community Council and the organized groups of the Community.
Argaca is a remote yet beautiful seaside community, with a strong agricultural activity, even though it is far from the major urban centres. Despite the difficulties, the farmers of the community, taking advantage of the possibilities offered by the ideal soil and climate conditions of the area, produce and market products of excellent quality, such as citrus fruits, deciduous fruits, subtropical fruits such as avocados and mangoes, not forgetting, of course, early vegetables, such as the famous Argacca louvi. A huge role, of course, in the agricultural development of the Community, has been played for many years by the recognised Producers' Organisation SEDIGEP of Polis Chrysochous District Ltd, so I would like to warmly congratulate the Board of Trustees and its members for the work they do in making local products available throughout Cyprus.
Friends,
Although the agricultural sector represents, in numbers, a small part of the Gross National Product of our country, it nevertheless has a significant impact on the other sectors of the economy, thus multiplying its value. It helps to maintain the social fabric of rural areas and to reduce urbanisation and desertification. Moreover, the practice of agricultural activity protects and preserves the natural environment and landscape, and contributes to the mitigation of climate change.
As conditions have evolved in recent years, Cypriot agriculture faces many challenges. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, taking these facts into account, continues its multifaceted action and makes every effort to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. In order to support agricultural activity and sustainable rural development, the role of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027, which provides for a total funding of EUR 454 million, is expected to be decisive. The Strategic Plan includes measures that promote the sustainability and competitiveness of the agricultural sector, while at the same time aiming to mitigate environmental problems and tackle climate change. At the same time, Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing war created an energy and food problem, with the prices of inputs and therefore of the products produced increasing rapidly. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, using all existing possibilities to address these complex and multifaceted problems in order to reduce the economic impact, proceeded through targeted programs to support our farmers, who were most affected by these crises, with funding amounting to 50 million euros.
In addition to the above, it could not be omitted that the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, in 2019, proceeded to the creation Through this system, to date, farmers have been granted approximately 40 million euros to cover the lost income of our farmers.
At the same time, in line with EU policies, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment attaches particular importance to the expansion of actions to reorganize and improve the functioning of the agricultural sector.
Examples include the reform of the sector of risk management in agricultural production, the legislative provisions for dealing with Unfair Practices in the agricultural sector, the reform of the agricultural production risk management system, and the implementation of a number of other measures.
At the same time, in line with EU policies, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment attaches particular importance to the expansion of actions to reorganize and improve the functioning of the agricultural sector. We also aim to support rural communities to remain vibrant centres of economic, social and cultural development, combining agriculture, tourism and the protection of our natural environment.
In closing my brief greeting, I would like to congratulate the organisers, the SEDIGEP of the Golden City Region, the Community Council and the organised groups of Argaka, as well as all those who contributed and worked to make this successful celebration a success.
In conclusion, I would like to congratulate the organisers, the SEDIGEP of the Golden City Region, the Community Council and the organised groups of Argaka, as well as all those who contributed and worked for the realisation of this successful celebration. Initiatives such as today's contribute to the promotion and promotion of our local produce and demonstrate everyone's willingness to highlight the importance of agricultural production in the region.
I wish everyone a lot of fun. Thank you.
(BG)
Contents of this article including associated images are owned by PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
