The Malta Labour Party Plan For Agriculure, Fisheries And Rural Development

Introduction

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development sectors in the Maltese Islands contribute much more to the economy than appears at first hand.

The agriculture and fisheries sectors are the only sources of provision of fresh food for the population of these Islands and for the Tourist Industry. Yet, in our country they are known as sectors that contribute only a marginal part, i.e. 2.4 %, of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and which represent only 1.1 % of the gainfully occupied population.

Agriculture in Malta covers around 11,600 hectares (around 100,000 tomna) which is equivalent to 37 % of Maltese territory. Out of this 11,600 hectares of agricultural land, 10 % is saqwi, 77 % is baghli and 13 % is moghxa.

The total number of persons employed in agriculture is around 14,000 of which only 1,500 are employed “full time”. Of these 1,500 “full time” workers, only 20 % (or 300) are under 40 years of age while 40 % (600) are over 55 years of age.

During the last 20 years, there has been a consistent decline in the contribution of agriculture towards the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), in the amount of agricultural land, as well as in the number of persons employed “full time” in agriculture, especially youths.

This shows that during the last 20 years this sector has been abandoned, with the result of a substantial reduction in our country’s agricultural production and if we are going to persist with this negative rhythm, Maltese agriculture will completely disintegrate in a relatively short period of time, to the detriment of the sector itself, the environment and, indirectly, our country’s tourism.

Difficulties faced by Agriculture in our country

Agriculture in the Maltese Islands suffers from a number of disadvantages which cause inefficiencies and a lack of competitivity where local agriculture is concerned :

Among these disadvantages one finds :

1. The fragmentation of fertile land.
2. The lack of title to fertile land.
3. The small size of crops and fields (where the average size of an agricultural holding is less than a hectare, around 8/9 tmiem).
4. The scarcity of water for irrigating the crops grown in fields and glasshouses (where 10 % only of agricultural land is saqwi).
5. A high level of salinity in boreholes.
6. A high level of soil erosion.
7. Low soil fertility which causes a very low yield per hectare.
8. A high level of calcium in the soil which affects fertilization.
9. A dearth of raw materials for use in agriculture, i.e. agricultural inputs, which all have to be imported, e.g. fertilizers, machinery, seeds, animal feeds, livestock, etc.).
10. The “Opportunity Cost” of agricultural land due to the small size of the Maltese Islands and the need of land for industrial use, tourism, social and infrastructural purposes.
11. A frenzy of competition caused by imported agricultural products without any control of safeguards as promised to the local commercial community by the European Union, regarding products from internal as well as external countries having commercial agreements with the European Union.
12. A lack of restructuring in several sectors, the aim of which would be to improve efficiency and the quality of the local product.

During the last 20 years, little progress was registered in addressing these exigencies and problems. In certain cases not only was the problem not addressed but it was even aggravated as in the cases of scarcity of water for irrigation, the high level of salinity, the frenzied competition of imported products and the competition for agricultural land to be used for building purposes. The recent case of building zones extensions, a decision taken by the Nationalist Cabinet, is a witness to the lack of commitment by the Nationalist Government to protect the little agricultural land remaining in the Maltese Islands.

 

A New Beginning By A Labour Government

A Labour Government will break new ground with a total commitment in its leadership to address these problems. This will be achieved through a continuous discussion with all stakeholders and with the involvement of Groups, Associations, Movements, Co-operatives, Producers’ Organizations, Institutes.

Labour policy for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development sectors seeks to widen the dimension of these sectors. This with the aim that these sectors will :

a. Regenerate once again an adequate income for the families of farmers, rural workers, fishermen and workers employed in the agro-industrial sector.
b. Create new opportunities of investment in Malta and Gozo which will translate into new jobs for youths in such occupations.
c. Encourage more modern methods of production with the least impact on the environment.
d. Farmers will be regarded as the greatest contributors towards protection of the environment.
e. The Labour Government will regard the local agricultural products as the greatest contribution towards the welfare of Maltese citizens and will create national programmes on its agenda with the aim of making people conscious of this factor.

Based on this political structure, a Labour Government will develop a number of modern projects which will yield the greatest common good for all Maltese and Gozitans respectively.

Unique among these projects will be the National Plan for the rehabilitation of the hydrological system of the Maltese Islands.

As such, the storage and quality of water in our Islands will become more accessible for the irrigation of crops in the fields and for the needs of protecting and embellishing the countryside of the Maltese Islands.

As a result of this National Plan, it will be possible for the local agricultural sector to :

• Produce and provide more different fresh and natural food products.

• Plant more trees in the countryside.

• Attain a high quality of natural water and protection of the rural environment.

• Guarantee the highest quality of vegetables, fruit, meat products, milk and other agro-industrial products.

• An apprenticeship scheme to cater for projects and works aimed at rehabilitating the hydrological system of our Islands which has unfortunately been allowed to deteriorate through the years.

• A more effective Agency to transact the money payments from the European Union to farmers, rural workers and fishermen without the excessive waiting time which there is at present.

• A continuous monitoring, with the direct participation of the representatives of farmers, rural workers and fishermen in regard to all matters hindering the competitivity of these sectors. A National Committee will be set up between Consumer Organizations and Producers’ Organizations.

• Educational programmes “Let Us Treasure Agriculture” in order that Maltese and Gozitan students will enhance their appreciation of local agriculture, together with programmes aimed at having consumers choose locally grown products.

Other priorities with the aim that Labour policy for the Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development sectors will give better results for the common good of the people of these Islands are :

• Direct and indirect aid to improve the marketing of the local product.

• Niche Markets will be developed together with the introduction of certification of products, accompanied by geographical indications and controlled origin (PGI and PGO).

• A plan for Agro-Tourism will be developed which will be covered by law with the aim that the Maltese countryside will be better appreciated by tourists.

• Extension Service Centres will be strengthened in order to increase the education of farmers in all aspects of their work so that their products will meet the criteria of hygiene regulations established by the European Union.

• Incentives for the development of Agro-Tourism in order that the families of farmers, rural workers and fishermen will have another additional income besides their primary income from agricultural production and cultural traditions associated with local products will increase.

• The Labour Government will make it official policy to create a mechanism with a specific programme so that Government land and farms will be used to further encourage development and investment among farmers and rural workers in the various agricultural sectors.

• Incentives for the development of apiculture which has been left in a state of abandonment during the last few years. As such, at the same time, the fruit growing sector will also be helped by natural bee pollination and this will translate into more efficiency.

• The implementation of a plan for the production of specific products using organic agricultural methods.

• The realization of the dream that in Malta there will be a National Enoteka, with collaboration with local vintners, to serve as a permanent showcase of quality wines produced locally from local vines.

• Alternative energy will be used in the local agricultural sector, always where it is economically viable.

• Preparations will be made for an apprenticeship leading to a Diploma Course in Hydrology, among other subjects.

Breeding Of Fowl And Livestock

Professional and technical advice for the better management of breeding of fowl, rabbits, cows, goats and sheep in order to increase production efficiency and improve the final product (Veterinary services, while adjusting to the maximum with the criteria of the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union, will be structured to address good practice where the breeding of animals as well as their welfare is concerned).

 

Organic Agriculture

Organic agricultural production is always on the increase in its popularity among consumers in European Union States.

A Labour Government will launch schemes for the young farmers of our Islands so that organic agricultural production will continue to be developed and widened with the aim of more diversification in this sector of production.

With this direction, organic agricultural production will be intensified and the level of quality of the local product will rise as, after all, was always the case under Labour Governments over the years.

 

Fisheries

The fisheries sector can be more important for tourism since it is in itself an attraction for tourists, being one of the oldest artisinal trades. At the same time, tourism can help very much where the fisheries sector is concerned. In this light, the contribution of the fisheries sector to our Islands’ economy is much less than its potential. However, due to the fact that the income of fishermen is very low, the latter cannot afford large-scale investments which are so necessary for the Maltese and Gozitan fishing fleet.

In the Fisheries sector, a Labour Government pledges :

• The development of new facilities for fishermen and the fishing industry.

• Education – A Diploma in Fishing and Fishing Management. Educational programmes “Let Us Treasure Fishing” so that Maltese and Gozitan students will always have a better appreciation of local fishing.

• A Structural Fund - Funds will be better distributed and used.

• Pixkerija – this has to be refurbished or a new one built. There have to be cold storage facilities for everyone.

• Marketing – of local species of fish - new markets have to be found for lampuki so that good prices will be guaranteed for fishermen as in the case of tuna and swordfish (pixxispad).

• Funds have to be found to subsidize more fuel for fishermen.

• The Fisheries Department has to be strengthened in order to function as an autonomous department. It has to have an adequate structure to honour Malta’s obligations with the European Union and other countries.

• A co-ordinated Fishing and Aquaculture Inspectorate will inspect all activities in these sectors.

• Fish vendors have to improve their services to reach European Union levels.

• In aquaculture, the focus has to be on new species (using the good conditions of our surrounding sea).

• Improvement of our ports without extra expenses for fishermen.

 

GOZO

Agriculture and Fisheries

Gozo has always been and is still regarded as an agricultural island.

Although the importance of Agriculture and Fisheries in Gozo has declined regarding its share in the creation of wealth, both remain important sectors for the sustainable development of the island.

Even more so, today, when the protection of the natural environment has become an important factor in the development of each region, not least small island regions like Gozo. Agriculture and Fisheries have acquired a sustainable dimension in the drawing up and development of political and social policy.

So much so that even more than ever before, the various sectors of Agriculture and Fisheries have become important factors for the quality of life of the citizen as well as for the protection and embellishment of the natural environment and the Gozitan countryside and surrounding seas.

Agriculture and Fisheries are also a good means of protecting the coasts, the cliffs and the valleys. All in all, Agriculture and Fisheries help a lot to keep Gozo as a distinctive touristic attraction. This means that the value of Agriculture and Fisheries for Gozo is much greater than their direct economic contribution to the Island.

All the above is found in greater detail in the document “Pjan Ta’ Zvilupp Ghal Ghawdex Bhala Regjun” issued by the Malta Labour Party.