Our New Agricultural Policy

 By Rudolph Shulterbrandt
 Commissioner of Agriculture

 When the funding for our new agricultural policy becomes
 available, this policy will challenge the skills and sincerity of far-
 mers, and should stand as one of the best agricultural policies of
 the world, with Virgin Islands farmers benefiting greatly from this
 kind of support from their government.
 For many years the question has been asked as to what the
 Virgin Islands Government is doing to help farmers and agriculture.
 According to this new policy, many of the programs are directly
 aimed at assisting farmers. Most important of these is the program
 of incentives through which the government will give assistance
 in the form of cash as a subsidy for productivity or food crops


achievement.
 The Administration of Governor Juan Luis recognizes and
feels strongly that government must support whatever agricultural
development is necessary today and in the future. This is the same
principle that mandates government to support the services of
health, education, welfare and other agencies. In the case of
agriculture it is necessary to assure a food supply at home and to
achieve this, monies must be appropriated to meet the need.
Our new policy aims to do this.
 The new policy was developed by a task force comprised of
Virgin Islands farmers, agricultural technicians, and government
officials. The document met with the approval of Governor Juan
Luis, and is presently in the hands of the printers.
 This policy recognizes the importance of creating healthful,


REVITALIZING VIRGIN ISLANDS AGRICULTURE


A NEW AGRICULTURAL POLICY


 INCREASED FOOD PRODUCTION



 Credit
 Marketing
 Tax Exemptions
 Regulatory Functions
 Produce Own Seed
 Livestock Feed Program
 Preserve & Process Local Crops
 Accelerate Soil & Water Conservation
 Production Incentives Cost Sharing
 Homestead Program
 Improve Agricultural Services
Youth Programs, Secondary School Projects & Dropouts


STAIRWAY TO AGRICULTURAL SELF-SUFFICIENCY


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