It is the declared policy of the State to conserve, protect and encourage improvement of agricultural lands within the State for the production of food and other agricultural products. It is also the declared policy of the State to encourage, promote and protect farming as a valued occupation. Preservation of the State's farmlands and forestlands is considered essential to maintaining agriculture as a viable industry and important contributor to Delaware's economy. It is a finding of the General Assembly that valuable and irreplaceable farmlands and forestlands are being lost due to nonagricultural development pressures and that, to insure the long-term utilization of the State's most viable agricultural lands, it is necessary to adopt and implement an effective program and infrastructure for permanent agricultural land preservation. To the maximum extent possible, State agency action, particularly action involving the exercise of powers of eminent domain, which has an adverse impact on viable agricultural lands, should be avoided or minimized. It is further recognized that a need exists to create sufficient economic incentives and benefits to encourage agricultural landowners to voluntarily place viable agricultural lands under protective restrictions through the creation of and participation in agricultural preservation districts and the sale of development rights. It is the purpose and intent of the General Assembly to provide for the creation of permanent agricultural areas comprised of viable farmlands and forestlands to serve the long-term needs of the agricultural community and the citizens of the State. It shall be a priority to create agricultural preservation districts and purchase development rights in those areas located near and adjacent to designated growth zones.