~~Adz:Right~~ The Ministry of Housing,Agriculture and Fisheries will be conducting an island-wide survey of crop and livestock farmers during the month of September 2007.The call for this survey comes against the backdrop of the New Agriculture Development Strategy and the need for a comprehensive characterization of the agricultural production sector.The survey will be conducted by extension staff of the Department of Agriculture,and will provide key baseline data to assist the Ministry in its programming,planning and policy development activities.
One of the main objectives of the survey,will be to identify major difficulties faced by producers in the sector and how these can be overcome.Participation in the survey will lead to a registration process which will guarantee that registered producers have access to services and incentives of the Ministry of Agriculture.It will also facilitate improvements in land tenure and marketing initiatives of the Ministry.
The survey hopes to capture data on three types of production systems:commercial,subsistence/small scale,and backyard systems.The Agriculture sector has been challenged to contribute to food security with renewed effort,to assist in securing employment options,to raise rural incomes along with foreign exchange savings, from decreased importation of food.
The survey and registration process are being conducted under the theme"RAISING THE PROFILE >>FOOD SECURITY,OUR PRIORITY".
