Cyprus agriculture: average 35 decares per holding

Non-owners predominate as active farmers

 

The average agricultural holding in Cyprus is 35 decares in size, according to the results of the Census of Agriculture conducted between October 2003 and March 2004, while owner-farmers account for just 687,423 of utilised land. Tenant, shared and other modes of tenure account for 876,375.

The main findings reported by the Statistical Service are the following.

 

Average of 35 decares per holding

 

The total number of holdings is 45,199, of which the large majority (44,611) reported utilised agricultural land. The number of holdings without utilised agricultural land reached a mere 588 cases which comprises basically of holdings raising animals only.

The total area of utilised agricultural land is 1,563,798 decares, of which 1,097,420 decares are under annual crops and 407,146 decares are covered with permanent crops.

An area of 53,953 decares was recorded as fallow land while 5,209 decares was used for kitchen gardens, rough grazing and pasture and meadow.

From the total utilised land, 687,423 decares were owner- farmed and 876,375 decares were reported as tenant, shared or other mode of tenure.

The total utilised land is divided into 221,916 plots.

Thus, each agricultural holding comprises of 5 plots on average, with an average area of 7 decares per plot or 35 decares per holding.

 

Cereals and grain predominate

 

The most important plantations recorded by the census were: cereals for grain production 738,459 decares, grapes 125,278 decares, olive trees 126,110 decares, citrus 48,625 decares, plantations for the production of nuts (almonds, walnuts, etc) 52,009 decares, and other fruit plantations 39,818 decares.

With respect to holdings growing animals, the census recorded 883 holdings raising pigs (433,040 pigs), 320 holdings raising cattle (61,053 animals), 1,782 holdings raising sheep (262,243 sheep), 3,179 holdings raising goats (360,206 goats) and 9,450 holdings raising poultry (4.5 million chickens).

The report is obtainable at the Printing Office of the Republic of Cyprus in Nicosia at CYP 15.00 and online downloadable for free at the website of the Statistical Service under “Publications”.