Agriculture in North Cyprus

Cyprus is known as "Green Island" over the centuries. Its strategic location was always in interest
of ancient civilizations and today is still. Drought is not the only threaten for agriculture in the island
but also bad governance, populist policies and very few investments in this sector caused today's
situation. An important part of green areas and citrus fields were dried. There have been a very
few rainfalls during 1980s and 1990s in Cyprus. Fortunately, there are significant increases in
rainfalls in last years starting from the beginning of 2000s. But a solution is still required to the water
shortage in the island. The best solution is to construct a pipeline between TR and TRNC.
However, this requires a huge investment. Additionally, water shortage and deterioration of water
quality should be improved by successful water resources management that requires incorporating
advanced technologies.
An agriculture faculty was opened in Lefke European University of North Cyprus and it is expected
to handle the problems in the sector through academic researches. On the other hand, Cyprus
68 ESKÝÞEHÝR OSMANGAZÝ ÜNÝVERSÝTESÝ ‹‹BF DERG‹S‹
problem is again at the agenda of United Nations and other countries since the beginning of 2004.
A solution is expected during 2004 in the island. But according to the proposal of Kofi Annan,
Guzelyurt region is planned to be left to Greek Cypriots. If this comes to be reality, it will be a
great handicap for Turkish Cypriots, because that region is the most important part of the island
in agriculture sector. Majority of agricultural and watery products and exports are produced in
Guzelyurt region. Therefore, this proposal cannot be easily accepted.
Turkish governments had aided North Cyprus since 1974. Substantial aids were given to Turkish
Cypriots every year. But unfortunately, these aids were not used in efficient areas. Nowadays,
majority of these aids are used to finance current expenditures like salaries. Therefore, this situation
should also be at the agenda of the Turkish Cypriot government. Investments in agricultural sector
should be attracted. But political risk of the country is a major obstacle for foreign direct
investment. If a successful solution is brought to the Cyprus problem, then attracting foreign direct
investment will be possible. On the other hand, Turkish investors should be encouraged and
attracted from the mainland Turkey. One good example in this regard is the fish farm opened by
Dardanel Ltd. of Turkey in Karpaz Sea in 2003. This type of investments should be expanded in
the island.
Despite the political and economic embargoes against Turkish Cypriots, foreign marketing and
advertisement channels should be improved. These facilities of the island are highly insufficient. But
high transportation and production costs are the most important obstacles for a successful
marketing.
As a conclusion, a possible solution to the Cyprus problem might bring some improvements to
the sectors of North Cyprus economy including agriculture. But still, government has to deal with
the problems faced in agriculture sector. First, drought problem should definitely solved by water
project in conjunction with Turkey. Establishing a pipeline from Turkey will be high enough not
only for North Cyprus but also for South Cyprus. Second, investors from Turkey and even from
Turkish Cypriots living in Cyprus and other countries should be encouraged to come and make
investment in every field of the economy. And lastly, aids given by Turkey and other institutions
should be moved towards investments for production. North Cyprus is a very small country;
therefore the contribution of even any small improvement in the sectors will contribute to this
small nation higher. So every member of the country should take responsibility for the future of
North Cyprus. If this cannot be succeeded, migration lasting many years will increase more and
more.