Strategy and Action Plan 2005-2010.

The Vision of the present Strategy and Action Plan is defined as follows: Modern development and urbanization co-existing with the environment and the traditional lifestyles; Physically active people eat locally grown and processed, healthy foods and food supply is secured; There are business and job opportunities for the people; Each outer-island household has access to electricity; The islands are safeguarded from pests and disease; The unique Marshallese products are being successfully exported around the world; and The traditions are alive, and economic self-reliance is secured. The Core Values are: Teamwork and Cooperation; Trust; Honesty; Communication and Sharing Information; Organizatio; Respect and Leadership.
There are two Special Programmes envisaged: 1) Special Program: “Farmers Markets” on Majuro and Ebeye”. The objective is to Established Farmers’ Markets in the urban centers of Majuro and Ebeye to encourage production and sale of locally grown and processed food and goods. The Strategies to put in action are defined as follows: i) Facilitate the establishment of a fixed location for the market, with access to shelter, tables, water for cleaning and administration of market fees; ii) Encourage private sector involvement in the market in terms of ownership or management; iii) Facilitate the participation of existing and new local producers; iv) Facilitate access to transport and local agents for outer-islands producers to sell their produce or goods at the market; v) Cooperate with MIMRA to include sale of fish at the market; and vi) Ensure post-harvest handling is done in accordance with food safety principles.
The other Special Programme concerns the Coconut “Tree of Life” Development. The objectives are: 1) Increase the value of coconuts and coconut products to the Marshall Islands; 2) Reduce dependence of outer islands on imported fuel and copra subsidies; 3) Develop value-added coconut products for export. The Strategies shall be as follows: i) Establishment of a Multi-Agency Project Team; ii) Rehabilitation and replanting of coconut trees; iii) Value-added production and use of coconut products on outer islands, therefore reducing costs and losses from inter-island transport; iv) Refocus the coconut industry from copra-export to value added products and local use in fuel, cooking oil, livestock feed, and other uses; v) Complete assessment of economic value chain to pinpoint development areas of focus; Facilitation of access to small-scale processing equipment and access to credit for purchase of equipment; vi) Examination of different value-added products for export potential; and vii) Focus on development of coconut value-chain on outer islands.
As far as Agriculture is concerned, there are three areas. A1: Agriculture Production Services. The objectives are to 1) increase domestic food production. 2) Ensure adequate production of raw materials for handicrafts, medicine, coconut products and other non-food production. The Strategies are: i) Improving the technical skill of farmers through extension services including hands-on demonstrations, access to training courses and “how-to” publications; ii) Increasing community participation in farming through demonstration plots, school gardens and by demonstrating the income generating potential of farming; iii) Increase the participation of women in farming; iv) Implement sustainable farming systems; v) Composting (link composting to business opportunity and solid waste management); vi) Increased intensive production through integrating introduced crops to an existing farming system; vii) Promotion of livestock farming; Increase domestic/local trade in agricultural products; vii) Sustainable management of agro-forest resources, including replanting and rehabilitation, particularly of senile coconut trees; viii) Focus on development of agriculture in outer islands ; and ix) Establish and maintain nurseries for preservation of genetic resources and as a supply for farmers.
A2: Plant and Animal Protection Services; The objectives are: 1) Prevent the introduction and further spread of injurious pests and diseases into and within the Marshall Islands. 2) Safeguard agriculture, livestock and the Marshalls’ natural biodiversity. The Strategies are: i) Inspections according to regulations; ii) Eradication and control programs; iii) Public education and awareness to comply with quarantine laws: Increase awareness of bringing in pests and disease from overseas; Increase awareness on the spread of pests and disease between islands; Provide information on eradication and control procedures; iv) Monitoring and surveillance of fruit flies, mealy bug, coconut scale; v) Capacity-building; improve the identification of species the quarantine officers do not know; and Develop response plans.
A3: Agriculture Policy and Planning with the objective to Develop policy and plans for the effective development of agriculture in the Marshall Islands.The Strategies are: i) Improve agriculture information collection and management; ii) Develop a national plan, and detailed plans for agriculture development on atolls based on the information; iii) Build capacity in agriculture policy and planning; and iv) Ensure legislation and government policy is conducive to the development of agriculture.
Program Area D deals with Energy Services. The first area concerns Outer-Island Electrification with the objective to provide access to electricity in the outer islands in a way which contributes to real economic development of outer island communities. The Strategies: i) Careful assessment of needs and uses of outer islands for electricity and development of appropriate electrification strategies; ii) Integration with Coconut Value Chain Development Project; and iii) Focus on developing fuel sources in the form of coconut oil processed on-island. The other Area of Energy concerns Other Energy Services with the objective to Provide energy policy development and other energy services in a way that contributes to the social and economic development of the Marshall Islands. Strategies: i) Policy development and implementation; ii) Education and awareness campaigns; and iii) Information management to assist in policy development.