Excerpts from the report Summary: After more than 40 centuries of rule by other nations, Cyprus achieved independence in August 1960. Now the island is in a period of transition that requires substantial adjustment in its economy. A continuing problem is the support of its predominantly rural population with a limited land area that is not abundant in natural resources for agriculture. Virtually all cultivable land already is under cultivation. Except for possible extended use of rough land for pastures, the land for agriculture can be increased by no more than 5 percent by drainage and other reclamation practices. The population now on the land is larger than can be efficiently employed. Although manpower requirements for agriculture have declined recently as mechanization has increased, over two-fifths of the gainfully employed labor force is engaged in farming activities that together ordinarily bring in less than one-fifth of the gross national product (GNP).