Damion Mitchell, News Coordinator - Radio

The Agriculture Ministry has finally tabled in Parliament its multi-year development plan for the industry.

The document, entitled the 'Agriculture Development Strategy 2006-2020', outlines the projects, problems and policies to be dealt with over the 14-year period.

The strategy also notes that the long-term vision of the Agriculture Ministry is to transform the sector by 2020.

It hopes to marshal sustainable growth and development through employment, export earnings and food security; halt the decline in certain production areas; restore agricultural resources; and engage young people in agricultural enterprises, among other goals.

But it recognises constraints, like the limited application of technology; inadequate research, development and extension services; praedial larceny; diseases and natural disasters; and insufficient Government funding.

At the same time, the 14-year agriculture development strategy notes that there are some major strengths, including the level of agriculture infrastructure, current training institutions and the demand for products.

It says if these strengths are harnessed effectively, they would provide the basis for the transformation of the sector.

There is to be closer collaboration between the Agriculture and the National Security ministries to enforce the amended Praedial Larceny Act, and it is proposed that there will be an expansion of current extension services.

This means that agencies like the Rural Agricultural Development Authority will have more responsibility to help farmers to become more competitive.

There will also be improved access to cheap agricultural loans over the 14-year period of the Agriculture Development Strategy.

THE 2006-2020 AGRICULTURE STRATEGY AIMS TO:

Increase production/ productivity in targeted subsectors

Address the efficiency of land use

Improve agricultural infrastructure

Enhance research and technology development

Expand extension services

Improve marketing

Explore the scope for the expansion of commodity insurance

Improve access to agricultural credit

Increase involvement of youth in agriculture

Rationalise trade policies and upgrade food safety measures

Expand rural development

Reorganise the Ministry of Agriculture