NATIONAL INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Emerging Issues, Agriculture
(continued)
7.0 AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES
1) In order to
alleviate the problem of aging of farmers and to attract young generations into
agriculture the following measures will be implemented:
a) Agriculture subject should
be part of the education system’s curriculum from the primary to secondary schools
and colleges.
b) Establishment of school gardens in all the schools in the territory.
c) Create awareness among the youth, that by use of exotic farming technology can be
a money making venture.
d) Strengthen the existing Young Farmer Training Programme and encourage senior
students to pursue agricultural sciences for higher education.
e) Provide price supports to farmers, by guaranteeing the price of production plus
20% profit to each farmer while allowing the market buy at their price.
2) In order to promote
backyard gardening and farming and to reduce food imports the following strategies would be pursued:
a) Provide incentives to
farmers by reducing import duties on agricultural imports.
b) Continuous training of farmers in improved and appropriate production technology
e.g. mulching, drip irrigation, staking, integrated pest management, etc.
c) Improve extension and advisory services by providing support services such as
land preparation, seeds and seedlings, crop spraying, animal breeding, slaughtering of
animals.
d) Promote establishment of fruit tree orchards and vegetables.
e) Provide agricultural credit facilities to enable the farmers to purchase farm
imports such as seeds, fencing, hardware, irrigation equipment, water tanks, etc.
f) Reduce pest and other diseases.
3) In order to
encourage utilization of land owned by absentee landlords, the following strategies should be taken:
a) Lease the land to farmers
for short-term crop like vegetables and fruit cultivation.
4) In order to promote
an integrated farming system, linking farmers with the outlet for marketing of farm
production, the following strategies should be pursued:
a) Make research on
production of crops, livestock and marketing facilities.
b) Assist marketing of farmers’ produce so that farmers can maximize their farm
income.
c) Establish a marketing information system to farmers.
d) Introduce high-tech farming system such as hydroponics, zero grazing, etc.
e) Construct roads/feeder roads to all areas with agriculture potentials, marketing
centres, and research centres.
5) In order to help in
soil, water conservation and environmental conservation, the following strategies will be
applied:
a) Construction of mini dams,
ponds, wells, and provision of irrigation facilities.
b) Establish irrigation schemes for crop production and structure for livestock
watering.
c) Prepare land use plan and soil surveys.
d) Reduce water rates for farmers.
e) Develop environmental awareness through education campaigns and establish by-laws
for environmental protection and regulation.
f) Watershed protection to improve the quality as well as quantity of groundwater.
g) Take conservation measures on land exposed for farming as well as for other
activities.
h) Undertake further research and dissemination of sustainable agricultural practice
including the development of appropriate technology.
6) On farmers education
and capacity building to the department of agriculture, the following strategies will be
applied:
a) Introduce radio and
television programme to educate the farmers and the public in general modern agriculture.
b) Organize short and long term courses for the staff members and provide them with
working tools.
c) The department should improve extension and advisory services to farmers.
d) Develop a participatory management system where appropriate levels of staff have
input in planning process, which results into a team spirit in implementation of
programmes.
e) Attract and retain young local people into the key positions for gradual
replacement of expatriate staff members.
f) Develop an organization structure which not only conforms to the civil service
regulations, but is also effective and flexible to meet the needs of the farming
community.
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