The government has launched a public consultation on a draft National Agriculture Policy.

The document follows a three-year process that included studies of the current situation and laying out a strategy based on issues such as land management, attracting young farmers, competitiveness, labelling, traceability, water use and climate change.

The policy was launched by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and features 70 recommendations, including the creation of niche markets, automation, gastronomy, high value, diversification and social regeneration.

There are also recommendations on protecting land, resources such as water, and indigenous breeds.

Parliamentary Secretary Clint Camilleri.

Parliamentary Secretary Clint Camilleri said the proposed policy would set direction for the coming 10 years and assure a future for the sector and its operators.

The objectives of the policy, he said, were labelling, traceability and fair pricing, consolidation of rural land through transfer of leases to reduce fragmentation of fields, sustainability of resources, including increased production of ‘new water’, improved competitiveness when compared to imports and development of new areas such as organic family and agro-tourism.

Other objectives include product research particularly in view of climate change; and incentives and assistance, such as through the provision of land, to encourage young people to work in agriculture.

In an address, Dr Muscat stressed there were various roads to success in the education sector, and one of them was agriculture. The government, he said, would invest heavily in this sector and would also keep its promise to lift income tax. 

He pointed out that the vegetable market was being modernised and a major reform would be announced in the near future.

The government would also support farmers in the technology sector and the provision of water. New water was already being supplied in the north of Malta, and this would eventually be extended to the south, and Gozo, thereby cutting down on abusive groundwater extraction. 

A major project would also focus on facilities for the disposal of animal waste.

The government was also in the final stages of planning to facilitate land transfers between farmers for consolidation of rural areas. 

He also announced that a solution had been found to ensure that not much agricultural land was taken up in the extension of Bulebel industrial estate. 

The launch of the public consultation was held at Taz-Zokkrija school, Mosta.

Submissions may be sent on ruraldevelopment.mesdc@gov.mt