Ninth Development Plan 2007-2013.

The Ninth Development Plan is a national plan with a sectoral approach covering the period 2007–2013. The main objectives of the Plan are: a) increasing competitiveness, b) increasing employment, c) strengthening human development and social solidarity, d) ensuring regional development, e) increasing quality and effectiveness in public services. The Plan also aims at protecting the environment and improving urban infrastructure, making agricultural structures more efficient and promoting the development of rural areas.Food security is among the specific objectives of the Plan. Special regard is given to maternal and infant health.The Plan also aims at making agriculture more productive and sustainable. The productivity per unit of livestock will be increased; fodder plant production will also be increased. Specific measures concern animal production, cereals production, organic agriculture. With respect to fisheries, the Plan is focused on the sustainable exploitation of fishery resources (both marine and inland fisheries). Activities for researching, protecting and utilizing the biological diversity and genetic resources of the country and for transforming them into economic value will be accelerated. Reforestation and agroforestry activities will be supported.The Plan also aims at eradicating rural poverty. Wirth a view to promoting development in rural areas, a Rural Development Plan will be prepared. Priority will be given to issues such as strengthening producer organizations and making the education and dissemination activities effective. Contribution of producer organizations to training and extension services will be supported. Training and extension services in the use of pesticides, fertilizers, quality seeds, irrigation, plant and animal health, as well as food hygiene will be increased. The participation of rural women in decision making process will be supported. Measures will be taken to prevent child labor in rural areas. Appropriate financing instruments addressing the needs of rural areas will be developed.Agricultural, environmental and technological policies will be assessed in an integrated manner in order to minimize the risks related to biosecurity and genetically modified organisms. New policies will be developed in fundamental areas such as implementing modern irrigation techniques, transition to competitive product types, enhancing marketing opportunities, and developing human resources and institutional capacities. The Plan aims at enabling more inclusive and efficient agricultural systems. The main principles include the sustainable and efficient use of soil resources through the use of highly productive agricultural fields for agricultural production purposes, utilizing agricultural lands by making use of proper agricultural techniques as well as through land use planning. Irrigation investments and land consolidation will be expanded. Measures are envisaged to increase competitiveness in exports and modernize agricultural and food enterprises. Credit and subsidies are envisaged too.Regarding environmental protection, the Plan recalls the polluter pays principle and provides for the adoption of a national plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs is responsible for matters related to the production, consumption and supervision of food products. A Plan Monitoring and Steering Committee will be set up to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Ninth Development Plan.