Specific Recommendations According to Fields

Fourth Dimension : Marketing, Financing and Encouragement of the Private Sector :

1. Creating an appropriate environment conducive to the success of the Al Batinah Farmers Society to encourage formation of similar societies in other Regions.

2. Expediting the execution of the three studies related to the food security strategy as well as the study on the internal and external agricultural investment alternatives and the one on the establishment of the agricultural holding company; it is worth mentioning that the consultancy contracts for conducting these studies have been recently awarded to specialized offices and hopefully will be completed during the first half of 2010

3. Strengthening the agricultural marketing infrastructure, enhancing the role of agricultural extension & conducting technical and economic research.

 4. Stressing the importance and feasibility of seasonal agricultural loans, broadening the base of beneficiaries and encouraging commercial banks to offer the same.

5. Increasing the volume of funding for small and medium crafts projects from the different government financing institutions .

6. Setting an implementation mechanism for providing insurance coverage for greenhouse agriculture and studying the feasibility of establishing a special fund to cover insurance risks related to natural disasters, agricultural and livestock pests and diseases ..etc.

7. Urging commercial banks to contribute more to the financing of the agricultural sector as per their national and social responsibility, stimulating and encouraging private sector and civil society organizations to contribute to micro-finance of the agricultural sector .