Marshall Islands Agriculture Sector Plan 2021–2031.

The Marshall Islands Agriculture Sector Plan is a national sectoral policy which provides policy guidelines and direction for the agriculture sector to implement programs that will focus on the needs related to increasing agriculture productivity. The timeframe of the Plan is 10 years covering the period between 2021 and 2031. The key guiding principles of the plan are contributing to the achievement of food security, economic sustainability, social sustainability, and environmental sustainability while valuing public and private partnerships in the implementation of the plan. The goal of the plan is resilient food, nutrition and livelihood security of Marshallese in the face of climate change through enhanced agriculture development for the Marshall Islands. The outputs of the Plan to achieve the goal are: (i) minimizing environmental degradation, (ii) developing and promoting sustainable small-livestock production systems, (iii) developing and promoting sustainable crop production systems, (iv) increased consumption of nutritious locally produced foods, (v) improved biosecurity and marketing, (vi) improved capacity of agriculture sector stakeholders, (vii) developing the policy and legal frameworks.
Environmental degradation will be minimized by planting salt-tolerant traditional trees along coastal areas; preventing deforestation; promoting tree plantings, including coconut replanting; promoting and preserving the diversity of traditional and cultural plants; promoting and increasing the production of agroforestry; promoting urban forestry; and monitoring pollution by agricultural practices.
Sustainable small-livestock production systems will be developed and promoted in compliance with the one health approach. Local breeds will be improved by crossing with good breeds that can adapt to Marshall Islands conditions, taking into consideration also the potential impacts of climate change. Livestock feeds will be improved by making from local ingredients or a combination of local and imported materials. Capacity building will be strengthened in the development and promotion of sustainable improved small livestock management practices, including animal pest and disease control, appropriate housing and waste management strategies. Livestock waste management will be improved and awareness will be raised on waste management for a cleaner environment and safer nutrition.
Crop production systems will be developed and promoted in a sustainable manner. Soil organic matter will be improved by the use of composting, adaptable cover crops, and any other intervention that will recycle organic matter back to the soil. Water use efficiency will be improved in the agriculture sector. The use of bucket drip irrigation, wicking systems, and mulches will be promoted. The vertical movement of water and potential pollution of the groundwater will be assessed. Biosecurity will be ensured by developing control methods for plant and animal pests and diseases. Crop diversity will be improved, conserved, and used. More sustainable and more environmentally friendly production systems will be developed by selecting varieties that are more adaptable to harsh atoll conditions and potential climate change impacts of increased temperature, drought, and seawater intrusion. Appropriate agroforestry systems will be developed, with the need to increase traditional food production and improve the biodiversity and resilience of the food production systems. A package of practices will be developed for producing major crops for extension and outreach activities.
Efforts will be made for increasing the consumption of nutritious locally produced foods. Urban Farming Section will work with households in the communities, women and youth groups, and schools to promote growing home gardens and to develop cooking recipes using produce from the home gardens. Traditional knowledge on food preparation will be preserved. Proper nutrition will be promoted to schools.
Domestic markets will be developed for improved food access by households who do not produce foods. This will involve developing market structures while supporting current mobile markets. Value chains will be developed for crops with potential for local and overseas markets. The capacity of agriculture sector stakeholders will be enhanced for increased knowledge, improved skills, and self-evaluation.