Innovation Europe > News > Innovation EU Vol2-1 > Agricultural Research Institute

General Information

The Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) of Cyprus was established in 1962 with a mandate to conduct research on plant and animal production problems, and develop, evaluate and adapt under local conditions scientific findings and technology available from international and regional research institutions.

The broad objectives of the Agricultural Research Institute are to optimise resource utilisation, improve plant and animal productivity on a sustainable basis and generate and test improved technology for farmers. At present the Agricultural Research Institute employs 40 scientists and 65 technicians and over 100 labourers. The headquarters of the Agricultural Research Institute is located at the Athalassa forest. There are also experimental stations at Athalassa, Acheleia, Zygi, Polis, Saittas and Xylotympou.

The Agricultural Research Institute is in close cooperation with the local industrial and commercial units dealing with agricultural means of production and products. Most of the new products (fertilizers, chemicals, irrigation systems, new varieties and hybrids) are tested by the Agricultural Research Institute before being recommended to the farmers. There is also a wide cooperation with institutions and companies from other countries.

Main Activities of the Agricultural Research Institute

The Agricultural Research Institute is engaged in applied research in Agriculture and Environment. Its main activities include research in the fields of Plant Improvement, Vegetables/Floriculture, Fruit Trees/Viticulture, Plant Nutrition and Irrigation, Plant Protection, Animal Production, and Agro-economic Studies.

Apart from research activities, the Agricultural Research Institute offers short training to farmers, students and extension officers. Additionally, graduate and postgraduate students are accepted to conduct part of their research at the Agricultural Research Institute.

International Cooperation

The input of the Agricultural Research Institute in the Euro-Mediterranean region and in particular in the Middle East region is substantial. Most of the findings of the Agricultural Research Institute are accepted and widely used in neighboring and other countries. In certain aspects like fertigation, dry land farming and feeding of small ruminants, Agricultural Research Institute is a focus point in the region and scientists of Agricultural Research Institute act as consultants.

The Agricultural Research Institute actively cooperates with national, regional and international organizations and research networks such as the EU, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Centre for Research in Dry Areas (ICARDA), the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), the National Institute for Agronomic Research of France (INRA), the International Potato Centre (CIP), the Association of Agricultural Research Institutes in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA), etc.

Publications

The findings of the Agricultural Research Institute appear in its Annual Review and in its three publication series: “Technical Bulletin”, “Agricultural Economics Report” and “Miscellaneous Reports”. Research work of international interest is published in various international journals. Farmers are informed about the research results through the radio, television, periodical journals, newspapers and the extension officers of the Department of Agriculture.

Centre of Excellence

The Agricultural Research Institute has been selected in 2000 by the European Union as a “Centre of Excellence in Agriculture and Environment”.

Cooperation projects

The Agricultural Research Institute participates in numerous cooperation projects funded by the European Union and the National Research Promotion Foundation with partners across Europe and the Mediterranean region.

Dora Chimonidou, Director
P.O. Box 22016, 1516 Lefkosia, Cyprus
Tel: +357 22403100
Fax: +357 22316770
E-mail: dari@arinet.ari.gov.cy
Website: www.ari.gov.cy