Ministry of Agricultural Development (Panama)/ Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario de Panamá

Objective:

Achieve the food security of the country and contribute to the reduction of the cost of the basic food basket, raising the quality of life of the rural population and having a competitive, participatory and sustainable agricultural sector, seeking the well-being of the producer and the population in general.

Features:

• Formulate, direct and implement the development strategy and policy of the agricultural sector, especially with regard to agricultural services, prices, marketing and producer incentives.

• Seek to improve the social and economic conditions of the rural population, through technical services for organization and business and community training, facilitating the incorporation of said population into the national development process.

• Formulate and execute rural, comprehensive and sectoral development programs and projects in accordance with the respective laws and regulations.

• Propose bills, decrees and other instruments required by the agricultural sector, which will be submitted to the consideration of the higher authorities.

• Promote the development of agribusiness to increase the added value of primary production and ensure marketing channels for the benefit of the rural population.

• Recommend the adoption of more advisable tax and foreign trade policies to adequately promote the production and marketing of products and supplies.

• Submit to the pertinent authorities, the agricultural credit policy, as well as the financing requirements that ensure the achievement of the production volumes necessary for national supply.

• Determine the norms that regulate the provision of agricultural extension services, in order to transfer adequate technology that allows a better use of the available resources by farmers.

• Issue norms that regulate agricultural activity and ensure compliance in coordination with the competent public institutions in accordance with the law.

• Participate in the rural development process in accordance with the provisions of the National Plan for Agricultural Development.

• Perform, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force, all those functions that allow the development of the national agricultural activity.