Page 69 - PNM General Election 2020 Manifesto

to making Agriculture in all its facets a tax-free UPSCALING PRODUCTION FOR DOMESTIC USE
industry.
The PNM will:
Following this bold initiative, we intend to
allocate $500M in Fiscal Years 2021-2022 to • Facilitate increased productivity levels and
stimulate and incentive all aspects of the sector, expansion of output across all commodities
to provide the confidence that is required for our
people to invest their time, effort and finances in • Provide the protective policy space for
the sector. domestic agriculture production expansion

This additional expenditure will be invested in all • Strengthen the domestic farm-to-market
required areas, such as: supply chain

• access roads, irrigation and drainage
systems
• subsidies and crop insurance
• land tenure, water and electricity supply
• ICT and mechanization
• wholesale and retail markets
• pest and disease control
• research and development
• financial support through grants and soft
loans for farmers

In the short term, the PNM will give immediate
attention to boosting and supporting the
following areas of production:

• Poultry
• Aquaculture
• Cocoa
• African Hill Rice/Upland Rice
• Honey
• Forestry
Circumventing the challenges that have
threatened the food supply requires a REINVENTING AGRICULTURAL
fundamental change in the way agriculture is
produced. In the short term, the immediate SYSTEMS AND PRODUCING
emphasis on the reduction of the food and
agriculture import bill and increasing export- DIFFERENTLY
oriented growth will require focus on new areas.
Over the medium to long term, a major shift to
modern, technology-based farming is required to
achieve sustained growth and competitiveness in
the sector.

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PNM THE RIGHT CHOICE ON AUGUST 10 People’s National Movement Manifesto 2020