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ORGANIC AGRICUTURE IN CYPRUS 17/3/2004 Cyprus Organic Producers Association Nicolas Kanaris. Historical Overview. 1987-89 Yermasoyia Project, Limassol Ø Lack of agricultural experience Ø Lack of technical support Ø Lack of consumer. 1989-92 Dheneia Project, Nicosia
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ORGANIC AGRICUTURE IN CYPRUS 17/3/2004 Cyprus Organic Producers Association Nicolas Kanaris
Historical Overview • 1987-89 Yermasoyia Project, Limassol • Ø Lack of agricultural experience • Ø Lack of technical support • Ø Lack of consumer
1989-92 Dheneia Project, Nicosia • Ø Integrated attempt (Plant and livestock production combined) • Ø Wide range of seasonal vegetables • Ø Goat and sheep raising • Adversities • Ø Scarcity of water • Ø Lack of consumer interest
1993- Organic viticulture in Ayios Ambrosios, Limassol. • Ø First registration, official control and certification • Ø Wine exports to Russia
1997 First Cypriot Control and Certification Body (Lacon Ltd) • ØCooperation with corresponding body in Germany • ØProduct certification, issuing of certificates enabling exports to EU
1997- Pissouri Project (Table grapes for export) • Ø Successful, still in business • Ø Run by four producers • Entire production exported to Germany
2000The Bishopric of Morphou, Ecozoe • Ø Large scale, professional • Ø Model production unit • Ø Ministry of Agriculture prepares legal framework on organic farming • Ø Ministry of Agriculture promotes scheme of support measures • 2004 Ecozoe planned export of 150 tons of potatoes to Germany
December of 2001 Law 160 I on Organic Farming Ratified • Ø Includes all enforcement regulations • Ø Fully aligned with EU Regulation 2092 of 1991 • Ø April 2002 Ministry of Agriculture announced scheme of support measures for organic farming • · Surface-based subsidy granted to organic producers (150-700 C.P. per hectare • Ø Number of registered organic farmers • · December 2001 = 15 • · December 2002 = 50
Current state • Currently 180 entrepreneurs • Involved in production, processing, standardization and trading of organic produce in Cyprus • Specialized retail stores in every city
Crop production: Olives, table grapes, wine grapes, vegetables, citrus, aromatic plants, deciduous fruit trees, cereals, silage crops, legumes Processing:Olive presses, Wineries, Carob mills, Carob processing plants, Essential oil extraction units Standardization:Potato packing for export Trading:Importing and trading of organic products, Packing and exporting of organic products
Problems • Inadequate technical background among producers • Shortage of expertise among Agricultural Officers called upon to provide technical support. • Low level of infrastructure in the agricultural holdings • Shortage in import trading and overall trading of organic produce • Insufficient information of consumers on the nature of organic products
New Prospects • Production of high quality products • Production of out-of-season products • Increase of export-oriented production • Expansion of processing of local produce • Consolidation of consumer transition to organic products
Cyprus Organic Producers Association • Founded in 2001 • Counts 80 members • Important role in problem solving • Exploitation of emerging prospects for the sector
Main areas of activity: • Technical support to all members and other interested parties. • Facilitating market identification for its members • Participation in exhibitions • Organization of updating seminars • Participation in the Council for Organic Products • Participation in EU Leonardo Da Vinci program
Support Measures – Rural Development Plan • Modernization of agricultural holdings • Reorganization and adaptation of agricultural holdings • Development and support of small scale processing units • and marketing networks for agricultural produce • Formation of Producers Organizations • Vocational training and extension service to farmers • Development of organic crop production.
“Training Mediterranean farmers in organic crop agriculture”OrganicMed, CY/02/B/F/PR-133202 • Funded by the European Union Programme Leonardo da Vinci • Project objective: provide support and guidance to organic crop farmers of the Mediterranean, through a work-linked vocational training programme focused directly to their needs and the Mediterranean particularities. • Project Result: a training package that will provide the farmers with the fundamental skills and competencies to implement good organic crop agriculture practices. • For more information: www.organicmed.org