ARI REVIEW FOR 2016-2017

Table 2 . Chi-square test for listenership and differences between location districts AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS Investigating the sustainability of the Agricultural Production System in Cyprus The ultimate goal of this research project is to examine the environmental, social and economic sustainability of the agricultural production system in Cyprus and its major sub-systems (farming systems), using as case studies the wider rural areas of Larnaka and Famagusta. To achieve this goal, quantitative and qualitative research methods (multi-strategy design) were integrated in order to increase the reliability of the results. The qualitative analysis was successfully completed in 2015 using semi-structured face-to-face interviews on a sample of 100 farm holders. The main qualitative results were presented in the biennial review of the period 2014-2015. The objective of the quantitative research is threefold: (a) to identify and characterize the major farming systems prevailed in the study area; (b) to assess their sustainability on the basis of the traditional sustainability triad (environment, social, economy); and (c) to compare the main quantitative outputs with the qualitative ones. Within the context of the quantitative approach, a representative sample of 354 farmers was determined using proportionate stratified random sampling method. To obtain the necessary primary data, a well-structured questionnaire was developed, including closed-ended and open-ended questions, grouped into ten sections. After face-to-face meetings with the farmers, 324 fully completed questionnaires were collected (Fig. 2) giving a very high response rate (92%). Each interview lasted approximately 2-3 hours. Subsequently, a large database with over 300 variables and indicators was created in SPSS statistical software. To identify the diverse farming systems in the study area, Principal Components Analysis and Cluster Analysis (Hierarchical and k-means) will be used in tandem, while the systems will be characterised using structural and functional variables which explain the variability between the systems. Next, the sustainability of the identified farming systems will be assessed using an indicator-based sustainability assessment tool developed by the research team. The tool includes simple and composite indicators adapted to the studied systems, and utilizes both visual and numerical integration approaches to present the results. The quantitative research is a work in progress and is expected to be completed in late 2018. ( A. Stylianou ) 65 Rural Development