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7.—SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
7.—A summarized statement of any developments intiteagricultural, forested,fishing,mining, and other industries
of the Colony during the year under review, with a statement as to progress up to date. A special account should be given
of Government grants or other action for the development of the natural resources and industries of the Colony.
Cyprus is essentially an agricultural rather than an industrial country. Satisfactory progress has been made
during the year and the gradual change from primitive to more m o d e m methods of husbandry continues. A greater
interest is taken in the use'of modern agricultural implements and machinery and in the use of chemical fertilizers.
The cultivation of potatoes, both summer and winter crops, has maintained the high level attained in recent
years. Cyprus potatoes, which are of a fine quality, are exported in large quantities to adjacent countries, but the
production and export has decreased somewhat in 1930 owing to decreased demand.
The cultivation of citrus fruits, particularly oranges, has been considerably extended and a large export trade in
oranges is being built up. A new citrus experiment station has been established at Famagusta by the Government
where every phase of the industry is being investigated—the suitability of various citrus crops for the District, methods
of propagation and cultivation, production, etc., etc. A new citrus nursery has also been started at Karavostasi in
Morphou Bay. A new experimental lime plantation has also been established at Lapithos in Kyrenia and the young trees
are making good progress. The grape-fruit trees at Nicosia fruited well this year and promise to prove another suitable
x
orop for Cypras. A demand for grape-fruit stock has arisen. There has been little export trade in lemons this year
and tbe growers are turning most of their fruit into citrate of lime and lemon oil. The expansion of the citrus industry
is receiving every encouragement. The Department of Agriculture supplies citrus plants to growers and gives
instruction in the proper methods of laying out citrus orchards as well as in the collection, grading and packing of the
fruit for export and marketing. T w o small factories have been established at Famagusta for the preparation of citrus
juices and oils.
The investigations to locate sub-soil water with the aid of the drilling plants were well maintained during the year.
The amount of additional water made available from these activities was 1,860,000 gallons per day. Fifty-two wells
were drilled, aggregating 8,246 feet of borehole, and of this number 15 wells were successfully carried to a second source
producing the amount of water mentioned above.
There has been a good demand for Cyprus mules and donkeys, and several lots have been exported to Egypt,
Palestine and Syria. The Manager of the Stock Farm at Athalassa supplied breeding stock to the District stud stables,
and the usual number of stud animals has been maintained. A new stud stable has been opened and Improvements
continue to be effected In the existing stud stables.
Re-afforestation under the Forest Department Is being pushed forward as rapidly as funds permit. Only small
extensions to old plantations were made, but on a larger scale bare forest land was ploughed and sown with tree seeds
by a tractor. Tree-planting is n o w being eagerly taken up by private individuals and 179,190 forest tree seedlings
have been distributed by the Forest Department, of which 169,360 have been issued gratis and 9,830 on payment.
Mining has felt the effect of the world depression very considerably, and the larger operating mines have been
forced to curtail their work in every direction, with the consequent marked decrease in export figures. Prospecting
activities have, however, been maintained and drilling operations continued without interruption, although the results
are not encouraging.
There has been considerable development in the following industries :—wine and spirit making, flax, cotton,
silk, soap making and carob grinding. With a view to encouraging the local flax industry the Empire Marketing
Board made a grant of £2,500 spread over a period of three years, the Cyprus Government providing an equal amount.
The Zodia scutching mill, and the scutching mill at Mandria, Paphos, which have been leased in connection with this
scheme were worked to full capacity during the year; at the Mandria mill, hemp as well as flax was treated. The
manufacture of soap has made considerable advances : a new modern soap factory has been established at Limassoi
and marks a forward step in Industrial development, as it obtains most of its raw material locally and the local demand
for soap is being largely met from local production.
The local tobacco industry, though affected by the world crisis, has made progress : advances have been made
in the quality of tobacco produced, though there is still room for improvement. There are several cigarette factories
but these consume imported tobacco chiefly. Some factories manufacture Cyprus cigarettes for local sale and export
and cigarettes of Cyprus tobacco are also manufactured in London where they meet with a good sale. There have
been increased exports of tobacco during the year and the Government is considering measures for the better control
and development of the industry.
Activity continues to be shown in the spinning and weaving Industry. A great variety of silk, cotton, flax and
hemp fabrics of excellent quality is manufactured and finds a ready sale in European, Near East and local markets,
notwithstanding the fact that the manufacture Is conducted in a primitive method by means of spindles and
hand-looms which are of local make. A spinning and weaving school, where better and more advanced implements
such as spinning wheels and larger looms are used, has been inaugurated at Zodia. The cotton mill at Famagusta
which had been closed for some time has reopened under a new management.
A silkfilature,owned by the Cyprus Silk Filature, Ltd., and established on the most up-to-date lines, is in operation
and is t^miing out silk of excellent quality. The further development of the silk industry is receiving the close attention
of the Government.
A m o n g minor industries, carpet-making, broom-making, and fruit-preserving showed continued activity. The
jam and fruit canning factory established by the Department of Agriculture has done good work and the establishment
of privately owned factories is projected:
Bee-keeping on modern methods is developing.
Furniture-making and shoe-making are progressing.
The art of embroidery is also well advanced ; a great number of girls and women are engaged on needlework and
lace-making. The latter is in wide demand abroad.
The making of stockings by machinery mainly for local use has spread considerably and the industry of hat-making,
for ladies, is gaining ground.
N o Government grants for the development of industries have been made during the year, excepting the grant
for the development of the flax industry mentioned above.
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