Agriculture Minister Costas Kadis on Sunday inaugurated the Larnaca producers’ market in Ayios Theodoros.

The minister said the market was created on the initiative of the Women’s Association of Rural Larnaca (Warl) just 15 months after they submitted their application.

Kadis said this project was very important for the area, “as it supports our producers on the one hand and on the other hand, gives the opportunity to consumers to buy fresh quality Cypriot products, directly from the producer.”

The minister also welcomed the association’s decision for a ‘plastics free’ local market which, he said, contributes to the environmental awareness of the public, since consumers will not be given any plastic bags to transport the products they buy but will be urged to use reusable ones.

The project was part of the EU co-funded scheme ‘short supply chains and local markets’ of the 2014-2020 rural development programmes.

“The operation of the Larnaca producers’ local market is an example of good and constructive cooperation of state and private bodies, to promote the prosperity of rural inhabitants,” the minister said.

He added that his ministry has promoted three bills, after consultations with farmer organisations, to further improve the living standard of rural inhabitants and promote Cypriot agricultural products.