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7.—SUMMARY OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
7.—A summarized statement of any developments in the agricultural, forestal,fishinj,mining, and other indu
of the Colony during the year under review, with a statement as to progress up to date. A special account should be
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 modern methods of husbandry continues. A greater
interest is taken in the use of modern agricultural implements and machinery, and this interest has been stimulated
bv the importation by Government of four portable power threshers with tractors and tractor implements. Farmers
make more general use of fertilizers and take more personal interest in the control of plant pests and diseases.
The cultivation of potatoes, both summer and winter crops, has maintained a high level. Cyprus potatoes, which
are of afinequality, are exported in large quantities to adjacent countries.
The cultivation of citrus fruits, particularly oranges, has bssn considerably extended and a valuable export trade
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is Vine- built un with the United Kinzdom. The citrus experiment station recently established at Famagusta
j,- ^ p Oovernm^nt is m-ikinc satisfactory orogress. Every phase of the industry is being investigated—the suitability
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« citms --rons for th<-~Distriet, methods of propagation and cultivation, production, etc., etc. A n experimental
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m -oKn*ation bas h-n-n p-*tabUshed at Lapithos in Kvrenia and the young, trees are miking good progress. The
frro^.-Vnit r^ntlv int-^duced nromises to prove another suitable crop for Cvprus. A demiud for grape-fruit stock
h«s -n-;-«?n. Th»-re bas V e n a good'exuorfc trade in oranges and lemons. The expansion of the citrus industry is
mvrrr ^noonra^ment. " The Department of Agriculture siroolies citrus plants to growers and gives instruction
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-mmTiKT methods of laving out citrus orchards as well as in the collection, grading and packing of the fruit for
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.r,^ market-mo-. A L a w to urovide for the grading and proper picking and the examination of agricultural
nrndnc** intended for exoort is under consideration. T w o small factories have been established at Famagusta for the
p*ren"-****vrir»n of citrus juices and oils.
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-7Psticarions to locate sub-soil water with the aid of the drilling plants were^ considerably reduced during
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. Th-- --mount of additional water made available from these activities was 268,803 gallons per day. Eight
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^Tilled, aggregating 2.049 feet of borehole, and of this number 4 wells were successfully carried to a second
som***-- nrod-icinc the amount of water mentioned above.
T^Are has been a aood demand for Cvorus mules and donkeys, and several lots have been exported to Egypt,
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-j Svria. Tbe Manager of the Stock Farm at Athalassa supplied breeding stock to the District stud
stabVc. and +be usual number of stud animals has been maintained. In addition, facilities have been given in certain
area.** for bulls and boars on loan and premium donkeys. The annual sale of surplus livestock took place at Athalassa
in Nov---mT*>er.
Owing to lack of funds re-afforestation was only possible on a small scale and onlv small extensions to the old
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made. During the vear some forest lands were ploughed, harrowed and sown by a tractor, and
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Pi -.--edlings were sold to private individuals.
>fmi*n.g experienced a severe set-back on account ofthe continued depression in trade and small demand for minerals
and m*-tals. The larger operating mines curtailed their operations to a minimum owing to their inability to market
their f»vi-*t-uie stocks of ore. and development of the mines has been considerably retarded in consequence of the
uncertaintv of future conditions.
•p-ros-neo^in-*- activities have been confined to the operations of two mining companies engaged on the systematic
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*- and other work commenced some vears ago. During the last two months of the year indications of a
betterment of conditions were distinctly brighter: enquiries for minerals and the conditions under which minin-*'
concision* are granted were more numerous than those of the previous two years.
Important developments have taken nlaee in the following industries :—wine and spirit making,flax,cotton,
silk, f-ntx-rx making and carob grinding. With a view to encouraging the localflaxindustry, the Zodia scutching mill
and tbe scutching mill at Mandria. Paphos, were leased by the Department of Agriculture and worked during the vear ;
at the Mandria mill, hemp as well as flax was prepared for the market. 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 decreased exports of tobacco during the year and the Government has taken legislative 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 sill*;, cotton,flaxand
hemp fabrics of excellent oualit.y 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 established at Zodia. There is a cotton mill at Famagusta,
The Silk Filature owned by the Cyprus Silk Filature, Ltd., reopened after the temporary closing down in 1931
owing to the eeneral trade depression and the unremunerative price of silk.
Among minor industries, carpet-making and broom-making showed continued activity.
Bee-keeping on modern methods is developing.
Shoe-making and furniture-making are progressing. A number of wooden articles is manufactured by or m
accordance with designs of, the Forest Department both for local use and for export. The number of articles so
manufactured is increasing and the local carpenters and furniture-makers are copying the Forest Department's designs.
The art of embroidery is also well advanced ; a great number of girls and women are engaged on needlework and
lace-making. Lace is in wide demand abroad.
The making of stockings by machinery mainly for local use has spread considerably and the industrv of hat-making
for ladies, is gaining ground.
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A grant of £4,000 and a loan of £2,000 were made by the Colonial Development Fund for the introduction of
.agricultural machinery and implements.