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5.3. Agriculture <strong>and</strong> Food Security<br />
5.3.1. Policy<br />
While there is a Plan for Managing the Marine Fisheries of The <strong>Turks</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Caicos</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>s, there is no clear<br />
policy for agricultural development. However, the action plan for climate change adaptation as outlined in<br />
the <strong>Turks</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Caicos</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>s Climate Change Green Paper (2011) includes the following measures:<br />
Promoting traditional l<strong>and</strong> management practices that conserve soil fertility <strong>and</strong> biodiversity <strong>and</strong><br />
protect ecosystem functions <strong>and</strong> processes<br />
Practicing aggressive management of invasive species that threaten agricultural production<br />
Restoration of degraded areas<br />
Investment in new technology such as hydroponics <strong>and</strong> biotechnology/biosafety.<br />
Additionally, five thous<strong>and</strong> acres of l<strong>and</strong> are to be made available to TCI farmers as part of a package of<br />
measures to boost local agriculture, the Government farm in North <strong>Caicos</strong> is to benefit from a US $150,000<br />
cash injection to buy new equipment <strong>and</strong> modernise the 140-acre facility, <strong>and</strong> at least 5,000 acres of crown<br />
l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> associated fresh water lenses are to be zoned <strong>and</strong> restricted for agricultural use in North <strong>Caicos</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> made available to qualifying new <strong>and</strong> existing farmers.<br />
5.3.2. Technology<br />
The Worden <strong>and</strong> Worden (2010) report on Recommendations for Agricultural Development in the <strong>Turks</strong><br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>Caicos</strong> Isl<strong>and</strong>s suggests that agricultural productivity can be significantly improved with the use of new<br />
agro-technology. However, there is evidence to suggest that at least one farm, Isl<strong>and</strong> Fresh Produce, is<br />
operating a hydroponic farm in Providenciales with some measure of success. This producer supplies fresh<br />
food items to local hotels, restaurants <strong>and</strong> supermarkets on Provo.<br />
5.3.3. Farmers’ Adaptation - Initiatives <strong>and</strong> Actions<br />
The <strong>Turks</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Caicos</strong> Farmers <strong>and</strong> Community Association is actively pleading the case for an exp<strong>and</strong>ed<br />
agriculture sector <strong>and</strong> have petitioned the Governor <strong>and</strong> advisory council for action. The association is<br />
currently lobbying for training <strong>and</strong> capacity building in agriculture to facilitate increased production on the<br />
l<strong>and</strong> that is being made available for farming.<br />
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