Supplementary Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) Policy. Final Validated Policy.

This Policy is supplementary to the Agriculture and Natural Resource (ANR) Policy (2017 – 2026). It provides the framework to address critical needs of agricultural and natural resource-users in the decade between 2017 and 2026, through a participatory process, involving both public, non governmental, civil society and private sectors. Within the country’s national development and poverty reduction frameworks, the Policy aims at contributing towards the maximisation of poverty reduction and enhancement of food income and nutrition security, by encouraging green economy growth strategies, in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals. Particularly, this Policy sets in place enhanced institutional arrangements for coordination and mainstreaming, outlines a new integrated approach to resource mobilisation and management, and develop a clear policy direction for agricultural and natural resource sub-sectors.
In performing its objectives, the Policy identifies the following priority areas: combating land degradation; drought and desertification; protecting invasive species; wetlands; marine and coastal resources; cross-border conservation of natural resources. Part 1 of the Policy concerns the Policy context, providing information on the current national development context of the Country and on the role of agriculture and natural resources sector. The Part also provides overview updates on the natural resources use and their contribution to the achievement of sustainable development, specifically on: sustainable utilisation of land; the state of the environment and the waste disposal system; the management of marine fish resources; the conditions of forest resources; conservation measures concerning protected areas and wildlife management; water resources utilisation; climate change and its impact on freshwater resources and the fisheries sector; grazing lands and livestock. What is more, this Part focuses on the analysis of previous strategies and policies adopted by the government; on the public and private sector involvement; on the linkages programme and the role of the institutional agencies.
Part 2 concerns Policy foundations, Policy orientation and a detailed description of the sub-sector Policy guidelines. The Policy foundations explain: the need for a new and supplementary policy framework, in order to improve Gambia’s economic transformation; the programmes to support the ANR Policy vision of a marketed-led commercialised, efficient, competitive and dynamic sector in the context of sustainable development; the statement of intent to work with resource-users to balance the ecosystem, while enhancing their livelihoods and food security through sustainable natural resource management; the goal to increase overall agricultural productivity and production through judicious utilisation of natural resources on sustainable basis; the specific policy objectives: 1) an effective management of ecosystems and biodiversity in order to achieve the green economy; 2) to improve natural resource management, capacity enhancement of decentralised structures and clear allocation of resources, roles and responsibilities; 3) inclusive management of natural resources and coordination, in order to integrate climate change, gender and youth policies into all the sub-sectors; 4) to build capacities of communities and improve an equitable approach to natural resources management that emphasises the inclusion of women and youth; 5) to integrate community-based adaptation with ecosystem-based approaches. The following key principles guide the relationship between agriculture and natural resources sector and others: quality; innovativeness; partnership and synergy; decentralisation; community empowerment and participation; human right-based approach; equity. The Policy orientation defines: policy alignment and harmonisation, eliminating conflicts between economic growth, environmental sustainability and social goals; policy approach, considering three levels; the scope and the status of the policy; the strategic operational approach, to promote sustainable natural resource development, management and utilisation; the key strategic focal areas for the Policy. The sub-sectors Policy guidelines describe objectives and strategies for each sub-sector with respect to policy statements. The sub-sectors identified by the Policy are: fisheries, forestry, environmental management, parks and wildlife management, water resources and climate change. Part 3 and Part 4 concern Policy implementation and the commitment of the government to enable community participation in the ANR sector.