It can be safely said that animal husbandry is one of the two limbs of the agricultural sector which is called the “backbone” of Cyprus economy.

Following the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960, particular attention was focused on and efforts geared towards the development of livestock production and the attainment of a greater degree of self-sufficiency in meat and dairy products. The gross value of livestock output increased from £6.7 million in 1960 to £34.7 million in 1973. The production of sheep and goat meat, in particular, rose from 3 900 tonnes in 1960 to 10 140 tonnes in 1973 and that of milk from 21 300 to 52 700 tonnes, respectively. With such a high rate of growth, the share of animal husbandry in total agricultural output increased from about 27% in 1961 to about 46% in 1973. In 1978, the contribution of sheep and goats to the national economy was £17.2 million or about 41% of the total livestock income and 14.6% of the gross agricultural output.