Government backs growth of rural economy
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, sang the praises of Athienou village as she reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Cyprus’ rural economy by strengthening rural businesses and communities.
Speaking at the 6th Athienou Products Festival in Konstantinio municipal park, Panayiotou praised Athienou as “one of the pioneering municipalities that is constantly developing despite the challenges it faces as a semi-urban municipality in the buffer zone.”
She credited the “industriousness, ingenuity, and volunteerism of the residents, the mayors, and the members of the Athienou municipality,” for the area’s success in “agriculture, livestock, crafts, trades, and commerce.”
She added that “the Festival of Athienou products, supported over the years by the Ministry of Agriculture, undoubtedly gives impetus for further development to local businesses, most of which are family-run and have been operating, for many years, with passion and perseverance to remain in their place.”
The event, she noted, “raises awareness and information about the food, taste, and healthy habits of the past, which are handed down from one generation to the next.”
Panayiotou outlined the Ministry’s efforts to “increase the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, revitalize and retain the rural population of the countryside, ensure a fair income for the producer and ensure food quality in the agricultural sector,” emphasising agriculture’s significant role in the national economy.
She further explained that the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy for 2023-2027 “plays a key role in achieving these objectives.” The Plan, with a budget of €454 million, includes measures to support farmers’ sustainability and competitiveness, tackle environmental challenges, and address the effects of climate change.
Turning to Athienou, Panayiotou mentioned that “in the 2014-2020 programming period, four public projects and one private project have been financed through LEADER, with a total public expenditure of half a million euros.”
This funding included the upgrading of Konstantinio Municipal Park and a collaboration promoting Athienou’s local gastronomy.
For the 2023-2027 period, the LEADER initiative will “enhance actions for the creation of new businesses and jobs in the countryside through cottage industry, handicrafts, and rural tourism, as well as actions to address problems in infrastructure sector by financing small-scale public infrastructure projects.”
The Municipality of Athienou will benefit from “the implementation of the Local Development Strategy of the Local Action Group of the Larnaca and Famagusta Districts Development Company Ltd, to which the amount of 3 million euros has been allocated.”
She emphasised that the Government’s effort for “the development of the rural economy and, by extension, the countryside is unwavering and persistent,” concluding that “our primary concern as the Ministry of Agriculture is the countryside and its people. The development of rural areas is our priority because only in this way will we prevent desolation and urbanisation.”