National Agricultural Policy 2009-2015.

The Vision of the present National Agricultural Policy for the period 2009-2015 is a vibrant agri-food chain or system that provides adequate supplies of safe, high quality, nutritious food and non-food products and services, at stable and affordable prices, that assure financial security to producers and is socially and environmentally responsible thereby, promoting development in rural areas and conservation of resources.
The Aricultural Policy is designed to achieve seven broad objectives. The first one is to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the island’s agriculture. To this end the Government’s core strategies to promote growth and socio-economic development involve: a) fostering a commercialized and an agri-entrepreneurial approach to farming; b) Create the environment to enable non-state actors to effectively participate in the development and decision making process; c) Facilitate credit and agricultural finance; d) Finding a solution to farm labor problem; e) Eliminating and minimizing the effects of praedial larceny; f) Assist farming community to mitigate and manage risks; g) Promote gender equality; h) Encouraging succession planning and youth involvement in agri-business. The second objective is to promote the development, adaptation and adoption of improved and appropriate technology. Emphasis shall be placed on the development of science and innovation programmes to increase the potential for growth and profitability in St Lucia’s agriculture and agri-food sectors. Objective 3 focuses on enhancing national food security. The access to food objective will be met through investment in post harvest handling, storage, preservation and distribution to reduce loss at all stages, strengthening local leadership, peoples participation and community involvement, incentives to promote processing at the local level and better utilization of indigenous foods and credit that combines small scale credit with technical advice and assistance shall be promoted. Objective 4 envisages to rationalize the use of land in the country since due to various factors the land market has become already in part inaccessible to the majority of the native population leading to conflicts among uses and users of land, leading to conversion of prime agricultural lands to other uses. This could result in the radical transformation and loss of many landscapes and ecosystems, with unavoidable consequences on food security, water supply, agriculture, fisheries, biological diversity and environment quality, industry and tourism development, social cohesion and quality of life. Objective 5 aims to protect, conserve and ensure sustainable use of natural resource. The Government recognizes the critical role of natural and environmental resources in the overall development of the country and that the more effective management and sustainable utilization of these resources are indispensable to the process of development. The Government shall place strong emphasis on minimizing the risks to farm income arising from potential environmental liabilities. Programmes that enhance soil, water quality and quantity, air, biodiversity and protect wild life shall be be promoted. “Stewardship” incentives, conservation compliance and regulatory assistance programs will be employed. Increased emphasis shall be placed on the use of beneficial fertilizers, land and water management practices. Support will be provided to facilitate the rehabilitation of degraded lands. Objective 6 considers to expand the agricultural production and market base. It is the intention of Government to integrate and make St Lucia an active participant in new global economy and increase market access for the country’s agricultural goods and services. Objective 7 recommends to generate new opportunities for employment and income generation in rural areas. To this purpose a number of targeted initiatives that promote the diversification of rural income base and rural enterprise will be embarked upon. Special emphasis will be placed on interventions that link rural areas with the growth sector hospitality industry.