National Agricultural Policy: A vision for the future of agriculture in Barbados.

The National Agricultural Policy is a national policy with a cross-sectoral approach. The purpose of this Policy to transform the agricultural sector to a Food and Agricultural sector oriented to the production of food to improve food security, nutrition and health of the Barbadians.
The policy presents a National Food Plan to improve the food security of the present and future generations and to provide healthy nutritious food for Barbados. Consumer awareness will be raised on the nutritional value of local foods. Safe and nutritious food will be provided to reduce the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, heart attacks and obesity. A new Ministry of Food and Nutrition Security will be established with a focus on feeding the nation by coordinating food imports, food production, food safety, food quality and food security.
Agricultural production will be increased in an environmentally sustainable manner through biodiversity conservation, protection of environment and soil conservation. Sustainable agricultural practices will be promoted to increase soil fertility.
Agribusiness enterprises will be promoted to increase job opportunities and reduce the high unemployment level in the country. Furthermore, training will be provided to farmers in the fields of agronomy, soil science, epidemiology, zoology, market research, agricultural economics, and agri-business. Farmer organizations will be strengthened and promoted. Agricultural systems will be developed to improve farmer’s incomes, reduce poverty, and preserve the social stability of the Barbadian society. The accurate and reliable information will be provided for decision making and planning at all levels.
: A technology driven, competitive and market oriented agriculture sector will be achieved to reduce food import and food prices, increase food export as well as contribute to the diversification of economy. The food production in Barbados will be increased to generate wealth in the local economy. Moreover, the production and consumption of more local foods will be promoted to contribute to the modernization and growth of the sector. A market information system will be established to strengthen marketing systems. The legislation framework will be developed in such areas as food imports, praedial larceny and land use policy. Investment will be attracted to food processing sector and agro-industries. The institutional infrastructure for R & D and support services will be developed to enhance competitiveness and sustainability in the sector. The linkages of the sector to health, nutrition, tourism and manufacturing will be strengthened. Food safety and quality control mechanisms will be strengthened to modernize agricultural health and food control systems, and ensure public health by preventing foodborne diseases. Food safety emergency response system will be developed for food recall procedures. Preventative approaches such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Codex Alimentarius, Good Agricultural Practices, and Good Hygiene Practices will be implemented. In addition to that, sanitary and phytosanitary measures will be taken to protect human or animal life from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins or disease-causing organisms in their food or beverages; protect human life from plant- or animal carried diseases; protect animal or plant life from pests, diseases, or disease-causing organisms; and prevent or limit other damage to a country from the entry, establishment or spread of pests. The monitoring and surveillance systems will be developed for selected plant pests, selected animal and zoonotic diseases.
The resilience of the agriculture and food systems to climate change will be increased. Climate change adaptation and mitigation will be integrated into the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors to cope with flood, drought, extreme weather events, plant diseases, and temperature fluctuations.