Small size of agricultural plots: The median size of agricultural plots
does not exceed 3.6 ha with an average of 5 plots per holding. More than
one third of the farm units possess less than 1 ha and 56% less than 2 ha.
Only 6% of the agricultural plots are above 10 ha. In mountainous areas, the
median size of agricultural plots is 2.1 ha (Table 5, Appendix).
Low level of agricultural income and great dependence on non-
agricultural activities for income supplement: The mean family income from
agriculture is derived from non- farm activities by 58%. There is a great
fluctuation in this depending on the agricultural zone. For instance in the
semi mountainous, grape producing region and in the mountainous, fruit
producing region, family income is about half of that of growers in the
plains and coastal areas. Obviously, the hardest hit of all are growers in the
arid, mountainous regions because they have limited or simply lack of
employment opportunities aside from farming.
Great variation in agricultural income depending on the type of
agricultural activity: According to the 1994 Agricultural Census certain
sectors like pig farming, cattle breeding, flower and ornamental plants are
enjoying higher incomes than others (Table 6, Appendix). Also in the sectors
of chicken farming, potatoes and vegetables incomes are also substantially
higher than the rest of agricultural production, i.e. citrus, grains and
vineyards. In the period since the Census, disparities of income have
become even more accentuated with the median agricultural income being
only 3% of the most prosperous sector of cattle breeding.
Ageing of the agricultural population and the succession problem:
Based on the 1994 Census, the mean age of farmers was 51 years. About
37% of the farmers were 55 or older and only 13% was below 35 years of age
(Agricultural Census, 1994). It is more than evident that without the
assumption of effective measures to stem the outflow and encourage the
inflow from and to the sector, abandonment will continue in an increased
tend; an incident that will have devastating environmental and ecological
effects on Cyprus. Furthermore, the linkage between this and other sectors
of the economy both downstream and upstream should not be taken lightly.
4. Upstream and Downstream Sectors
4.1. Upstream sectors
The upstream sector supplying inputs to the agricultural sector is
quite important in the local economy even though that agriculture has
declined. The market in Cyprus is filled with companies of varying
capacities that are in the business of supplying inputs and services to the
farmers. The production of goods was estimated by planners in 2004 at US$
850 million and the value of the products (inputs) sold to farmers in order
to carry out their tasks are estimated to be about half of that (Statistical
Service, 2005). More specifically, the upstream sectors (i.e. pesticides,
fertilizers, feeding stuffs, propagation material suppliers) that have been in
operation for many years employing thousands of workers are also linked to
the overall economy.
The coop movement has been built up by the farming world for its
own benefit and has become quite a diverse enterprise ranging from
farming coops to banking coops. Cyprus is quite advanced with an enviable
track record of development and monitoring far ahead compared to larger