20.1 Protocol Member States recognize that agriculture in the OECS Member States has contributed and has the potential to further contribute to economic and social development. Member States agree to the development of an agriculture policy which takes into account regional and global agreements and conventions, including the St. George's Declaration and the first and eighth goals of the Millennium Development Summit and offers a strategic framework for prioritizing regional programmes that address cross border dimensions of agriculture.
20.2 Protocol Member States commit to the transformation of the agriculture sector through —
(a) the modernization of the sector through the adoption of best practices and standards;
(b) the setting of benchmarks for national strategies and proposed joint strategic frameworks to shape the development and integration of the sector;
(c) the adoption of national policies which complement regional initiatives and are based on a participatory and people-oriented approach;
(d) the provision of a reliable mechanism for private/public sector partnerships and investments for a competitive agriculture sector.