Inside the Cypriot Businesses Combining Farming, Biodiversity and Innovation

Sustainable agriculture, the circular economy, and biodiversity protection are no longer theoretical concepts in Cyprus but are increasingly becoming practical and scalable business models. According to a report by BusinessDaily.gr, Cypriot companies such as Akaki Grove and Bio-Solea are redefining agricultural production by combining environmental responsibility, innovation, and export-oriented growth.

Presented during the European Commission’s DG AGRI Press Trip in Cyprus, both businesses demonstrate how a new generation of agricultural investments can align sustainability with economic resilience.

Akaki Grove, founded in 2019 by Elena Christoforou in the village of Akaki, has developed a regenerative farming model based on permaculture and organic agriculture. The farm, certified organic since 2022, spans around 10 hectares and includes 1,000 olive trees and 1,200 citrus trees. Due to increasing water scarcity and climate pressures, the farm has shifted more heavily toward olive cultivation, which requires significantly less water than citrus farming.

One of its most innovative initiatives is the “Kot-kot project,” where retired laying hens are released into olive groves to naturally fertilize the soil while helping control weeds and pests. The farm also collaborates with schools and local businesses to recycle food waste into poultry feed, reducing food waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, Bio-Solea is building an integrated ecosystem around sustainable beekeeping, biodiversity, and agrotourism in the mountainous regions of Cyprus. Founded by Chrysanthos Hadjiyiannis in 2011, the company exports premium organic honey to markets including France, Scandinavia, and Japan.

Its Botanical Bee Park features over 1,000 plant species and supports bee nutrition year-round. With investments exceeding €3 million, Bio-Solea aims to expand into wellness tourism and sustainable food production, highlighting Cyprus’ growing role in environmentally conscious agricultural innovation.