For a healthy nutrition and fulfillment of vital needs regardless of development level of the country, agriculture sector has a significant importance for every world country.
In consequence of increase in world economy, population and demand agriculture sector is expected to continue increasingly in following years. The growth speed of this sector is related to geographical position, natural resources, agricultural infrastructure, and technological equipments of the country.
As a result of support given to agricultural productions and reforms in agricultural policies and low costs especially in developing countries may bring a financial benefit for governments that aim to maintain producers in the sector.
Sector Status in TRNC
Agriculture sector is divided into four subsections as; plant production, animal production, forestry, and aquaculture. 56,7% (1.870.689 decare) of TRNC, which has a total of 3.298.908 decare area, is arable and enables the production of grains, pulses, fruits and vegetables, cash crops and other various products. While the ratio of total agriculture production in grain production is 70%, this ratio for pulses is 15% and 13% for fruits and vegetables.
The number of animals in TRNC has almost reached the saturation point in number but productivity per animal has not reached the targeted level. No droves with pedigree and genetic features, environmental factors and lack of animal care and feeding level can be the main reasons for this.
Countries developed in agriculture acquire the majority of agricultural production from livestock whereas the ratio of this production in total agricultural production in TRNC is between 35% and 50%. Currently, importation of meat to the country is forbidden.
TRNC Dairy Products Industry Institution active under Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has the hold of milk chains from the biologic resources of milk and dairy products to their production. In order to protect domestic producers, importation of milk to the country is forbidden.
Laboratory equipments have been upgraded to world standards and custom made tanks have been arranged for milk transportation. The studies for a changeover to cold chain have been initiated and are in progress.
The Cypriot “Halloumi Cheese,” which is the product produced the most, and production of such cheese types is exported to a large extent. There is a production for Halloumi and Cheese especially for Arab Emirates and Turkish market and many international brands actualize “Contract Manufacturing” in TRNC.
Agriculture sector, which cannot satisfy the needs of increasing local and working population under rapidly increasing economic investments (particularly education and tourism sectors), is in a foreign-source dependency position. The limited water source in the island is the greatest factor in not reaching the targeted production.
However, after the completion of investment on water pipeline tender between Turkey and TRNC on “Water Supply Project” in 2015, a great development in the sector and faster actualization on export-oriented production is expected.
Semi-arid climate conditions and especially the lack of water sources affect the development of the sector negatively. With the activation of drinking water and water supply project in 2015, which started in Turkey in March 2011, 75 million m3 of water transportation will be enabled and will boost agriculture by fulfilling the water use for 50 years.
How can we help as GRS?
Saydam & Co. not only gives consultancy services on Agricultural investment projects in Turkey and Uganda where agriculture is a great economic force but also make contributions to your success, offers high quality service and helps you to develop by providing regular information flow, accounting, tax, audit, budgeting, risk analysis and other consultancy services as well as production oriented Agricultural Investments and sectoral analysis services.