Reform C3.1R1[/I]
Upgrading agricultural practices from the 20th to the 21st century by investing in a national centre of excellence in agricultural technology
Recovery and Resilience Plan (RSP), without financial burden on the state
The aim of the Reform is to upgrade the role of the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) as the country's centre of excellence in agriculture, livestock and the environment. In particular, through the implementation of the three investments and reforms of the RAP: (a) Monitoring and reduction of GHG emissions from agriculture, (b) Web-based platform to improve trade and information in the agri-food chain and (c) Genetic improvement of the goat and sheep population in Cyprus, the technical objectives for the upgrading of the FGI will be largely met. However, in order to further contribute to the strengthening of the country's primary production sector and the protection of the environment, it is vital for the FGI to strengthen its role through a strong collaboration with local Public Universities and Research Organisations. A partnership that will ensure that new generations of higher education graduates become shareholders and agents of interdisciplinary research and education. Furthermore, such a partnership is expected to further increase funding opportunities, promote international research collaborations and the development of high value-added products for the agricultural sector and facilitate the establishment of start-ups and innovative spin-off companies in agri-technology. This will maximise the economic and social returns from the national resources allocated to research and strengthen higher agricultural education. As foreseen in the SAA, during the implementation period of the reform, the upgraded role of the FGI will be ratified by a Ministerial Decree or a Decision of the Council of Ministers.
To implement the reform, in 2022 the FGI started consulting with Cypriot universities and research organisations in order to conclude cooperation agreements that will promote the objective of upgrading agricultural practices from the 20th to the 21st century. The consultation with the Institute of Neurology and Genetics (INGC) includes, inter alia, the participation of the FGI in INGC postgraduate programmes in areas of common interest, both through the participation of FGI officials in the training of students and through its research infrastructure, which it will make available for postgraduate research needs.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment strongly supports the strengthening of cooperation between Cypriot academic and research institutions, as interdisciplinary cooperation can create synergies with a positive impact on society as a whole. Therefore, we believe that the Memorandum of Understanding signed today between FIG and INGC adopts these components and we expect that it will give new perspectives to the cooperation between the two institutions.
(OP/EHRP)
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