Panayiotis Rougalas
The “Strategy for the Development of the Primary Sector” is moving forward with a major economic footprint and an implementation timeline through 2029. It includes 11 actions with a total budget of €109.3 million. The Strategy’s main goal is to increase the primary sector’s contribution to Cyprus’ GDP, which currently stands at 1.8%. Funding for the actions comes either through the Common Agricultural Policy or from national resources. At the same time, the plan seeks to expand opportunities to develop, grow and upgrade the sector based on sustainability and resilience in the face of current and future challenges.
According to a response issued on August 10 by outgoing Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou to a question from Paphos constituency MP Charalambos Pazarou, a study titled “Evaluation of the Strategy for the Development of the Primary Sector: Impact on the Cypriot Economy” was completed and presented in December 2025. The study found that the €106.2 million investment budget provided for under the “Cyprus Strategy for the Development of the Primary Sector (2024-2029)” is expected to generate total economic output of €138.6 million, contribute €70.8 million to GDP and create about 1,370 new jobs. The Strategy is expected to benefit other parts of the economy as well, not just the primary sector.
Overall, the findings show that the “Strategy for the Development of the Primary Sector” combines economic efficiency with long-term structural, social and environmental goals. With effective implementation and coordination, the Strategy could help create a resilient, competitive agricultural sector that is better prepared for climate change while supporting sustainable economic growth. All of the Strategy’s actions are currently being implemented, with completion scheduled for 2029. More specifically, according to the outgoing minister’s response, two of the 11 actions have been fully completed, seven are currently being implemented and two are still pending implementation. One is scheduled for completion in 2027 and the other in 2028.
Autumn 2026
According to the government’s planning, preparations are expected to begin in autumn 2026 for the development of the Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy as part of the National and Regional Partnership Plans covering the seven-year period from 2028 to 2034. The process will include extensive consultation with the farming community, academic and research institutions, and other groups directly involved in the development of the primary sector and rural areas.
Negotiations on the new Common Agricultural Policy for the period after 2027 are currently underway within the European institutions, with Cyprus actively participating. During Cyprus’ Presidency of the Council of the EU, significant improvements were made to the EU’s initial proposal, strengthening the CAP’s institutional framework for the benefit of Cypriot farmers. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, in cooperation with the University of Cyprus, is conducting a study on the effects of climate change on the agricultural sector and the adaptation measures that will be needed. The agreement was sent to the Legal Service on June 10, 2026, and will run for nine months. At the same time, work is underway on a Ten-Year National Action Plan for Food Security, aimed at strengthening self-sufficiency and competitiveness. According to the former agriculture minister, the project is expected to be completed in November 2026.
2024 plan
The “Strategy for the Development of the Primary Sector” was prepared and approved by the Council of Ministers on October 2, 2024. The Strategy provides a roadmap for the Ministry’s vision for the future of Cypriot agriculture. According to the former minister, it establishes a new development model for the primary sector that can support sustainable production, provide financial assistance and give producers access to new technologies. These measures are intended to significantly upgrade the sector and reduce its reliance on emergency solutions. The plan takes a strong development-focused approach aimed at ensuring both the sustainability of producers and an adequate supply of agricultural products.
A specific methodology was followed to prepare the Strategy, with the active participation of agricultural organizations, ministry technocrats and officials from the Presidency of the Republic. The Strategy was then expanded through an extensive consultation process that included proposals from the academic community, producer groups, representatives of professional sectors and other organizations active in agriculture.
