Bill 150.

Summary.

The bill proposes to promote and regulate urban and community agriculture throughout the Republic of Panama, with particular attention to urban and periurban areas. It involves educational institutions, organized communities, and local governments. It defines urban and community agriculture, food security and food sovereignty, the circular economy, tax incentives, financial support, and technical assistance, among other terms. It designates the Ministry of Agricultural Development (Ministerio de Desarrollo Agropecuario) as the authority responsible for supervising, coordinating, and implementing the proposed policies and measures.

To promote this activity, the bill directs the Ministry of Agricultural Development, together with the Ministry of Economy and Finance (Ministerio de Economía y Finanzas), the Directorate General of Revenue (Dirección General de Ingresos), and the Authority for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (Autoridad de la Micro, Pequeña y Mediana Empresa), to advance incentives, financing, technical assistance, and training. Implementing regulations must develop the incentive program and its requirements. The Ministry of Agricultural Development, the Ministry of Housing and Land Use Planning (Ministerio de Vivienda y Ordenamiento Territorial), and local governments would identify priority areas for pilot projects and additional incentives. Agreements with owners and local administrations would facilitate the use of vacant land, rooftops, and other spaces. Urban agriculture would be incorporated into land use planning and new developments; vertical farming, hydroponics, aquaponics, green roofs, and water reuse would also be promoted.

The text encourages responsible use of natural resources, organic agriculture, water efficiency, and protection of local biodiversity. It proposes circular economy practices, including composting, the use of greywater for irrigation, and reduced use of nonrenewable inputs. It also promotes hydroponics, greenhouses and tunnels to protect crops, the production of natural fertilizers, and vertical gardens.

The Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación) would have to promote school gardens at all educational levels and incorporate urban agriculture into curricula. The Ministry of Agricultural Development would provide technical training for young people, women, persons with disabilities, and older adults, and conduct awareness campaigns with civil society organizations. Networks and cooperatives would be encouraged to market produce, purchase inputs jointly, and create local markets. The bill establishes the National Fund for Urban and Community Agriculture (Fondo Nacional para la Agricultura Urbana y Comunitaria) to finance projects, research, and support programs, and promotes partnerships with businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and international organizations.

The Ministry of Agricultural Development and the National Institute of Statistics and Census (Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censo) would establish a system to monitor and evaluate production, community participation, and access to fresh food. A certification program for good agricultural practices would be created. The Executive Branch would have no more than six months from promulgation to issue implementing regulations; the text provides for the law to take effect the following day. Its provisions could concern urban farmers, schools, local governments, property owners, input suppliers, and businesses involved in agricultural production and marketing.