A report released yesterday on the state of farming in Bermuda makes a series of recommendations to save the industry for the future.

According to the report, titled 'The Role of Agriculture in Bermuda's Future,' the Island has lost 87 percent of its agricultural land in the last 85 years

And while 40 percent of the population are involved in backyard farming, there are only 18 full-time farmers on the Island.

The report's suggestions to help bring focus back to Bermuda's farms include:

l Conducting an up to date land use survey and Environmental Economic evaluation to determine more accurately how much land is available and the value of farming them.

l Create a National Strategic Plan for agriculture.

l Creating tax incentives to encourage farmers and land owners to use their land.

l Creating Community Supported Agriculture systems, in which consumer groups help to fund a crop in exchange for fresh produce.

l Starting Community Garden initiatives or Parish farms, which can potentially bring communities together and grow healthy produce.

l Placing all of Government's Agricultural land in active production.

l Buy Development 'rights' from land owners.

l Create Agricultural Banks and encourage land swaps.