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It is a great honour for me to be here with you today at the 2nd Pancyprian Conference entitled "Rural Development: From Research to Practice". I am particularly pleased as I observe the participation of professionals involved in agricultural applications, researchers from local research institutions, representatives of consultancy services and other bodies currently active in Cyprus in the field of rural development. The presence at such a conference of all of you who serve the agricultural sector with your work highlights its importance. It undoubtedly underlines the will of all of us for the strengthening, improvement and competitiveness of the agri-food sector in Cyprus. It stresses the necessity not only of research activity, but also its interconnection with agricultural applications, the usefulness of developing channels for the dissemination of the knowledge generated and, finally, the importance of strengthening networking between the stakeholders.
The high level of research work carried out in Cyprus, comparable to the results of research institutions of world renown, demonstrates the dynamics of our country in applied research and innovation. At the same time, a strong system of agricultural applications is found in our country, implemented mainly by the Department of Agriculture, with its District Offices in all free areas of Cyprus. These elements are an advantage for the integrated implementation of an effective system of knowledge transfer and promotion of innovation in the agricultural sector. Such a system, known in English terminology as the "Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System" or the acronym "AKIS", is supported by the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union. Cyprus, like all Member States of the Union, has the obligation to operate the "AKIS" system effectively.
The operation of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System in the agricultural sector, the linking of the research community with the system of Agricultural Applications and their enhancement through activities such as the present one have always had the uninterrupted support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment.
The operation of the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System, the linking of the research community with the system of Agricultural Applications and their enhancement through activities such as the present one have always had the uninterrupted support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. Supporting the agri-food sector, research, innovative applications and by extension the economic vitality of the sector is our main concern. A key tool in our hands is the new Strategic Plan with a budget of more than 450 million, which will be channelled into rural development actions. The promotion of innovative approaches and their introduction in the agri-food sector, especially through the "Partnership" interventions, is key to making our farms more competitive, profitable and sustainable.
I am particularly pleased to see that in today's programme there is a strong emphasis on innovative technologies and practices and on the potential of the Strategic Plan to be used by farm managers, research institutions and consultants. These Operational Groups are also the basic prerequisite for the implementation of innovative ideas and projects through Intervention 6.2, entitled "Cooperation". I therefore urge everyone to take advantage of this opportunity.
The opportunity we have today is unique to jointly support our objectives. Today we are all looking to the future, acting in such a way as to support rural development in our country.
In conclusion, I welcome the initiative of the National Agricultural Network for the establishment of the Conference and I thank in particular the Department of Agriculture, the Institute of Agricultural Research and the Cyprus University of Technology for the joint organization of the Conference. My special thanks also go to the official guest Mr. Mark Gibson, whose presence gives us the opportunity to broaden our horizons as to how to link research with agricultural applications, through the example of a remarkable model such as that of Ireland.
Thank you.
(Mg)
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