National Food and Nutrition Security Policy to be Launched in October

The Government will be launching the country's National Food and Nutrition Security Policy in October.

This was disclosed by Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Roger Clarke, during a statement to the House of Representatives on September 18.

The Minister explained that the policy, which will be launched by Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Portia Simpson Miller, aims to provide an "overarching framework to achieve the objectives of food and national security."

"All our actions, if they are to be sustainable, must be underpinned by a clear policy, with a holistic approach, appropriate strategies and clear actions," Mr. Clarke said.

During his budget presentation on May 30, Mr Clarke said the policy would "outline specific goals in terms of the percentage of our consumption that must be satisfied by local production. These percentages will not be based on whims, but on our capacity to produce these things."

"We will, at the same time, ensure that local production is as efficient as possible. The food and nutrition security policy must provide the fillip required to stimulate local production in many areas as well as safeguard the nutrition of our children and the most vulnerable," Mr. Clarke said.

The Policy is being developed in collaboration with the Ministries of Health, and Education.