Strategic Plan of the Bureau of Agriculture for Fiscal Year 2014-2019.

The principal mission of the Bureau of Agriculture is to promote, develop, protect and conserve the Republic's land-based natural resources and to assist families to have the skills, resources and opportunity to ensure sustained food production, nutrition, food security and wise stewardship of ecosystems. The medium-term goals of the Bureau are to: (i) encourage and promote the expansion of existing farms and the development of new farms; (ii) encourage and promote the development of new plantations of local tree species with economic value and new nurseries; (iii) improve and strengthen watershed management/protection and rehabilitation of degraded lands; (iv) improve and strengthen plant and animal health protection and quarantine programs; (v) improve the sustainability of agriculture based livelihoods through enhanced farm management and marketing skills; (vi) encourage and promote livestock production; and (vii) strengthen prevention, detection, response, control, and eradication of invasive species.
The administration of the Bureau will be improved through advanced communication strategies among staff, divisions, and administration; strengthened administrative capacity and efficiency, and development of future projects and programs. The Horticulture & Extension Unit shall promote and increase production of traditional and non-traditional crops to increase sustainable livelihoods and food security for Palau. The Unit will conduct workshops on vegetable, fruit crop and root crop production to increase farm size and production, and provide extension services, including planting materials and integrated pest management service and guidance. It will conduct school visits and help establish school farms. Actions will be taken to encourage the adoption of new variety and species of fruit crops, root crops and vegetables, as well as new growing techniques. Climate proof varieties will be selected and their planting materials will be produced for distribution. The Unit will promote the consumption of locally grown agricultural products by working with farmers' associations to establish farmers' market weekly, working with the Ministry of Health to promote locally grown agricultural products, and collecting data on agricultural production, farm size and numbers, and agricultural commodities in all markets. The extension officers will be trained to improve the quality and quantity of horticulture and extension services.
The Forestry Unit will develop national forest program based on cooperative management between the national and state governments and NGOs through broad stakeholder and intersectoral participation to ensure the wise management and sustainable use of Palau’s forests and land based resources. Protected areas will be designated and included in the Protected Area Network. The Unit will conduct forest surveys, and encourage reforestation and rehabilitation of degraded lands. Public awareness will be raised on the importance and use of trees, erosion control, invasive weeds and forest fire prevention. The Unit will take actions for sustainable forest based source of livelihoods, including ecotourism, agro-forestry, and sustainable harvesting, to be adopted by landowners and developers. Forest health will be protected by preventing, controlling, and eradicating priority invasive species and developing fire hazard reduction program. Early detection and rapid response plan will be developed to ensure biosecurity.
The Animal Industry Unit shall carry out activities to improve the quality of pork production to meet local demand and international standards for food security. The use of locally produced chicken and other poultry and goats will be increased and promoted in Palau. The Unit will promote the adoption of best practices for animal handling, slaughter, and meat processing. Beneficial animal waste management will be promoted, and trainings will be conducted for farmers for waste management including methane gas production and composting.
To protect the agricultural activities and general well-being of the people and the environment of Palau, the Biosecurity Unit and the Invasive Species Unit will take measures to prevent the introduction and further spread of injurious insects, pests, plants, animals, and diseases. The number of qualified inspectors will be increased to improve biosecurity services. The collaboration with the Customs Division, importers and the public will be strengthened to prevent introduction of pests. Agricultural products will be inspected at the Customs border and will only be released with Biosecurity clearance/authorization. Public awareness will be raised on biosecurity matters.