Dutch royals visit potato fields in Cyprus, highlight agricultural ties

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NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima toured a Cypriot potato field and a production facility Tuesday during a visit to the Mediterranean island nation.

The visit featured a long tour of the farm and facility in Xylophagou and Liopetri, respectively, in the island’s renowned potato-growing region.

Potatoes are Cyprus’ third biggest agricultural export and Cyprus imports about three quarters of all its potato seeds from the Netherlands, according to Cypriot Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou.

Cypriot potato exports to the Netherlands are modest, amounting in the first half of last year at around 200,000 kilograms (441,000 pounds) at a value of 250,000 euros ($263,500).

But Panayiotou said spuds are hopefully the start of a more-in-depth relationship with the Netherlands in the agricultural sector, particularly how Cyprus can glean specialized know-how from Dutch experts on advanced technology including smart irrigation systems.

That’s important for often drought-hit Cyprus which is increasingly relying on desalination plants to meet its water demands.

Panayiotou said she’ll visit the Netherlands in June to work out a roadmap on transferring that Dutch agricultural know-how to Cyprus.

The royal couple complete their two-day visit on Wednesday.