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It is with great pleasure that I am here today in the border village of Deneia, at the 1st Organic Products Festival that I have put under my auspices. We are fortunate, all of us, to participate in a very original event that is taking place for the first time with the cooperation of the community of Deneia, the Cyprus Organic Farmers Association and the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. I hope that our efforts will be successful, so that the festival will be established in everyone's consciousness and become an institution. After all, our goals are common: the promotion of organic products, the development of organic production in Cyprus and the information of consumers about organic products.
Today, 23 September is the European Organic Day, which is celebrated both in Brussels and in all Member States. As very graphically put it in 2021 by Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski: "on 23 September each year we celebrate organic production, a sustainable form of agriculture where food is produced in harmony with nature, biodiversity and animal welfare. September 23 is also the autumnal equinox, with the day and night being equally long, a symbol of the balance between agriculture and the environment that is perfectly suited to organic production."
Organic production in Cyprus has made leaps and bounds in the last twenty years. According to the Registry of the Department of Agriculture, organic farming has grown from 0.22% of the total cultivated area in 2003 to 5.87% today. Our goal is to reach 7.5% by 2025. In addition, the number of organic farmers has increased from 85 in 2003 to 1500 today. The effort made by our organic farmers is truly commendable and that is why the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment is always supportive of their efforts.
Recognizing the valuable contribution and the significant challenges facing the organic farming sector in Cyprus, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, within the framework of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy 2023-2027, has placed the development of organic farming high on its list of priorities. Specifically, through the Rural Development intervention 1.4 entitled "Organic Agriculture and Livestock" with a total budget of €21.927.000, significant incentives are given to farmers, livestock farmers and beekeepers in order to increase the amount of agricultural land and livestock units integrated in an organic production system.
Another tool in the hands of the European organic farmer is the European Action Plan for Organic Farming.
Another tool in the hands of the European organic farmer is the European Action Plan for Organic Agriculture. The Plan aims to boost demand for organic products, ensuring consumer confidence, enhancing the conversion from conventional to organic products and strengthening the value chain. It also hopes to make organic agriculture and livestock farming an example to follow. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, following the European model of the Action Plan, proceeded with the preparation of the National Action Plan. The Plan was implemented from the beginning of September 2023 and includes 16 actions. The national target is to convert 10% of the total agricultural area to organically cultivated agricultural land, with a time horizon of 2030.
Friends,
For the success of this ambitious goal, the cooperation of all stakeholders is imperative. The National Organic Action Plan concerns all of us. Besides, our presence here today at this well-organized event indicates our intention to contribute to the achievement of our goals, which are none other than for our organic farmers to enjoy a decent income, while at the same time consumers feel secure in buying organic products.
In closing, I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the organizers and wish this initiative to be just the beginning.
In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to the organizers and hope that this initiative is only the beginning. I wish everyone a lot of fun.
Thank you.
(BG)
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