Fifty-five years of experience with land consolidation in Cyprus: Lessons learned and future directions

Abstract

Over the past fifty-five years, land consolidation in Cyprus has significantly supported agricultural and rural development. This paper reviews the process from 1969 to present, highlighting major achievements, persistent challenges, and strategic recommendations for the future. Land consolidation has effectively addressed severe land fragmentation and inadequate infrastructure, hindering agricultural productivity. However, the continuous decline in the agricultural sector, criticism of favouring land speculation, and the 2013 financial crisis raised doubts about its necessity, leading to a decline in land consolidation efforts. The study synthesizes lessons learned from 15 critical aspects, such as the legal framework, stakeholder engagement, policy alignment, environmental protection, transparency, justice, and technology. It also discusses five future directions: the UN Agenda 2030 Goals, climate change, leveraging innovative technologies, developing new business models and integrating with smart agriculture. These insights not only provide a roadmap for revitalising land consolidation in Cyprus but also serve as a valuable guide for other countries facing similar challenges.