Page 5 - Agric Info Newsletter 02 2017

Hence redrawing the baselines for estry and agricultural sectors ness and related opportuni-
agricultural development in the and the provision of more pre- ties in the Vincentian con-
context of climate change should cise data to support planning text
focus on: and agribusiness decisions
 Attention should also be
 The relevant legal and regulatory  Promotion of agribusiness and paid to the promotion of
frameworks for management of the roll-out of the National Ag- excellence in agribusiness
our natural resources in the forest, ricultural Marketing Informa-
land and coastal zones tion System to support sector  Given the opportunities for
development planning and agri- expansion of existing mar-
 Application of effective conserva- business decision-making and kets and the development of
tion and mitigation measures in action. new ones because of the
the forest, agricultural and fisher- operation of the AIA, the
ies sectors  Part of the process of agribusi- application of grades and
ness promotion should involve
 The use of Unmanned Aerial Ve- a partnership with the Ministry standards of targeted agri-
hicles – UAV’s (drones) to sup- of Education through its agri- cultural commodities must
port and respond more efficiently culture and business programs be emphasized to ensure
to damage assessment in the for- to sensitize students to agribusi- increased returns to produc-
ers and the state.

 The utilization and storage of excess food should be highlighted given the frequency of disasters and the disrup-
tion caused to families as well as support the zero-hunger initiative of the Government

 The promotion of a “Buy Fresh” campaign which would incorporate the Food-based dietary guidelines devel-
oped previously between the Ministries of Agriculture and Health with support from the FAO.

 The establishment of an Annual Stakeholder Forum which provides a structure and a partnership among stake-
holders for action on critical issues impeding the sector’s development.
The Ministry is the public agency charged with leading the development of the sector and cannot do it alone. The
Ministry therefore must forged strategic partnerships with other organizations at the national, regional and interna-

tional levels including NGO’s and the Private Sec-  Agro-processing
tor.  Agricultural Labour

This must be done to chart, execute and monitor a  Praedial Larceny
response to the rapid changes within the sector.
The annual stakeholder forum over several days  Climate Change Adaptation
should address critical thematic areas and should The Forum should be structured to allow for the preparation
be done just before the annual budget cycle. of brief technical papers and presentations on the thematic

The thematic areas where focus must be placed areas which should be circulated before hand to stakeholders,
should include among other things: followed by a period of discussions which would identify the

 Crop Production and support services such as critical priority action or actions which must be addressed in
research, propagation, pest and disease man- the planned period and the proceedings and outcome be for-
agement, GAP, warded to the policy makers for consideration and the prepa-
 Livestock Production and support services – ration and development of projects etc; Each session would
priority livestock enterprises, breeding stock, be led by a moderator supported by a panel.
hatchery, animal health and inspection etc;
These items are not exhaustive in redrawing the baselines for
 Financing for Agriculture – Credit, Grants and
Development Funding agricultural development in the context of climate change.
Redrawing our baselines in this era therefore calls for a fresh
 Marketing & Trade – Domestic, Regional and guard of partnership and collaboration among all stake-
International and related services – Quarantine,
Food safety, Quality, Grades and standards holders in advancing agricultural development.