The mandarin tree of Arakapas, with roots dating back to 1870, stands out for its aroma, taste and durability, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Sunday.

Speaking at the village Mandarin festival, she said thanks to her department the tree and its fruit have now been recognised as a unique variety and registered in the National Catalogue of Varieties of Cyprus, as well as in the Community Catalogue of Varieties of Fruit Trees.

This is an important step that enhances the awareness and commercial value of the product, she said.

“We are well aware of the difficulties faced by our farmers,” she said. “Which is why the ministry is intensifying support for the sector to ensure the viability of farms, and a fair income for our producers”.

The strengthening of infrastructure, the promotion of innovation and the utilization of technology are central axes of this policy as is investing systematically in improving the efficiency and competitiveness of the agricultural sector.

In 2024, the ministry adopted a Strategy for the Development of the Primary Sector, which includes the implementation of 11 actions with a total budget of €109.3 million for 2024-2028.

As part of this, in 2025 a new financial tool will be created for farmers giving them better access to finance, compensation payments will be speeded up and technology will be used to increase yields.

A programme introduced as part of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy to promote sustainability and mitigating environmental problems has already seen applications reach €13 million, exceeding the initial budget of €10 million.

“This dynamic response demonstrates the increase in producers’ interest in investing in the primary sector, but also the effectiveness of the design of the measure, which was adapted to their real needs,” Panayiotou said.

A programme is now being drawn up to support larger scale investments.

These measures, though, do not overlook the issue of drought, a constant threat to the primary sector.

“Unfortunately, we are experiencing another drought cycle that affects not only agricultural production, but also the daily lives of our citizens. Climate change is now a reality, which requires immediate, long-term, substantial, but also permanent solutions,” she said.

Another government strategy includes 28 actions, aiming to reduce the dependence of water supply and irrigation on weather conditions. The implementation of this plan is already underway.

“We are determined to breathe new life into the agricultural sector,” she concluded.