Medium Term Development Strategy 2016 to 2020.

The Medium-Term Development Strategy of Antigua and Barbuda is a National Plan with a multi-sectoral approach and its duration is 4 years between 2016 and 2020. The main objectives of the Strategy are: a) optimal generation of the national wealth; b) enhancing social cohesion; c) improving natural environment; d) ensuring sustainable management of the environment; e) improve the security of the citizens.
Regarding food security, the Strategy aims at ending hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. It sets out a cross-sectoral approach to reach this goal. It first underlines the importance of improving the agriculture industry to contribute to food security and then emphasizes on intelligent urban and rural planning to enhance food security by paying attention to appropriate location of human and economic activity; making adequate provisions for agriculture. Further the Strategy sets forward that sustainable food production systems will be ensured and resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production will be implemented to contribute to food security an ending hunger.
The Strategy considers the whole island ecosystem and it's marine and terrestrial resources as a whole for proper environmental and ecosystem management and protection and adopts an integrated environmental management approach. A marine reserve management plan will be developed and implemented to improve fisheries sector and to protect marine biodiversity. It is underlined that over-exploitation of some species will be prevented and greater exploitation of underutilized fish species will be encouraged for a better management of fish resources. The Strategy also sets out that a better water management will be ensured by using more appropriate technology for producing water, such as converting sea water into fresh water or ensuring better control of volumes of water extracted from groundwater resources to avoid irreparable damage to the aquifer. Furthermore, it is underlined that Action Plans will be developed for the storage of water for agriculture and other uses.
Poverty and economical vulnerability of rural people will be addressed by urban and rural planning which will improve living standards by ensuring that there are adequate physical provisions to accommodate road and utility services as well as maximizing economic potential and efficiency through the appropriate location of economic and residential activity. The Strategy also sets out that specific local area development plans will be done to reduce rural poverty. For the further development of the rural areas and to generate employment the tourism sector will be supported and heritage sites will be protected.
The Strategy sets out that collaboration with NGOs, civil society and the private sector will be strengthened. The Strategy sets out that importance will be given to achieve an adequate infrastructure regarding roads, ports, transport, energy and water not only for tourism and economic activities but also to help agriculture sector and to expand water generation capacity. Urban and rural planning will be integrated with land-use planning.
The Strategy underlines that the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) of Antigua and Barbuda will continue to work in collaboration with the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility (CCRIF) regarding climate change resilience and disaster risk management. The Strategy also sets forth that a disaster mitigation plan and a climate change policy will be developed. A disaster risk financing strategy will be prepared. Action will be taken to develop collection systems and storage facilities for hazardous waste and to find adequate facilities or other means for disposal of solid waste to prevent environmental pollution.
The Ministry Responsible from the implementation of this Strategy and revising related legislation is the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance. Other institutions which the Ministry of Finance and Corporate Governance work in collaboration are the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment Division and any other relevant agencies.