ORGANIC AGRICUTURE IN CYPRUS 17/3/2004 Cyprus Organic Producers Association Nicolas Kanaris

Historical Overview Yermasoyia Project, Limassol  Lack of agricultural experience  Lack of technical support  Lack of consumer

Dheneia Project, Nicosia  Integrated attempt (Plant and livestock production combined)  Wide range of seasonal vegetables  Goat and sheep raising Adversities  Scarcity of water  Lack of consumer interest

1993- Organic viticulture in Ayios Ambrosios, Limassol.  First registration, official control and certification  Wine exports to Russia

1997 First Cypriot Control and Certification Body (Lacon Ltd)  Cooperation with corresponding body in Germany  Product certification, issuing of certificates enabling exports to EU

1997- Pissouri Project (Table grapes for export)  Successful, still in business  Run by four producers Entire production exported to Germany

2000 The Bishopric of Morphou, Ecozoe  Large scale, professional  Model production unit  Ministry of Agriculture prepares legal framework on organic farming  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  Includes all enforcement regulations  Fully aligned with EU Regulation 2092 of 1991  April 2002 Ministry of Agriculture announced scheme of support measures for organic farming  Surface-based subsidy granted to organic producers ( C.P. per hectare  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 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: