The Cyprus Agricultural Chamber in collaboration with the National Rural Network and the Union of Cypriot Farmers (EKA), organized an event on Friday, 26 September 2025, titled ‘the pressures Cyprus faces due to climate change and the need to redefine agriculture.’

 

Dr. Panayiotis Dalias, soil scientist and Senior Agricultural Research Officer at the Ινστιτούτο Γεωργικών Ερευνών – Agricultural Research Institute (ARI), and coordinator of the European project LIFE-AgrOassis, presented methods through which farmers can reduce their environmental footprint, thereby mitigating the impacts of the climate crisis while also saving valuable resources such as water and fertilizers.

 

Dr. Dimitris Sarris, Director of KES Research Centre and scientific collaborator of LIFE-AgrOassis, discussed intercropping systems that combine fruit trees with thyme to save water and increase yields, as well as the advantages of cultivating deep-rooted plants as demonstrated through the LIFE-AgrOassis project.

 

Finally, Dr. Andreas Savvides spoke about restoring soil fertility and the pilot applications of soil improvers on degraded lands used for cereal cultivation, within the framework of the Terrasafe project.

 

The event concluded with an open discussion with the audience, during which practical solutions were proposed to help farmers address the challenges posed by the climate crisis.