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Major Programme 2.5:
Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts

Regular Programme

 

US$000

 

Programme of Work

49,732

 

Budgetary Transfers

(1,400)

 

Final Programme of Work

48,332

 

Expenditure

48,104

 

(Over)/Under Spending, US$ '000

228

 

(Over)/Under Spending, %

0%

Field Programme

 

US$000

 

Extra-Budgetary TF and UNDP Delivery

52,821

 

Extra-Budgetary Emergency Project Delivery

277

 

TCP and SPFS Delivery

12,037

 

Total Field Programme Delivery

65,135

 

Ratio of Field to Regular Programme

1.4

 

Technical Support Services, Prof. Staff Cost

5,046

 

Technical Support Services, % of delivery

8%

Programme 2.5.1: Research, Natural Resources Management and  Technology Transfer

Regular Programme

 

US$000

 

Programme of Work

17,252

 

Budgetary Transfers

(350)

 

Final Programme of Work

16,902

 

Expenditure

16,638

 

(Over)/Under Spending, US$ '000

264

 

(Over)/Under Spending, %

2%

Field Programme

 

US$000

 

Extra-Budgetary TF and UNDP Delivery

21,213

 

Extra-Budgetary Emergency Project Delivery

232

 

TCP Delivery

2,092

 

Total Field Programme Delivery

23,537

 

Ratio of Field to Regular Programme

1.4

 

Technical Support Services, Prof. Staff Cost

2,385

 

Technical Support Services, % of delivery

10%

Programme Outcome

 

Approved

Cancelled/

Unplanned

Total

Delivered

Percent

 

In PWB

Postponed

Delivered

Delivered

Unmodified

Modified

Delivered

Methodologies and Guidelines

36

(7)

2

31

24

7

86%

Coordination and Information Exchange

12

(2)

3

13

12

1

108%

Information Systems and Data Bases

6

(1)

1

6

5

1

100%

International Undertakings and Agreements

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Meetings

13

(5)

1

9

8

1

69%

Publications

34

(14)

5

25

19

6

74%

Training

8

(2)

1

7

2

5

88%

Support to Member Countries and the Field

17

(1)

4

20

17

3

118%


Achievements

313. The programme focuses on four main areas:

314. Research and Technology Development. Advice and services are provided linking National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) to global research. The programme provides assistance to enhance the capacity of NARS to address sustainable development issues, including agricultural research planning and skills acquisition, by providing methods and training. It promotes partnerships and information sharing, linking NARS across eco-political boundaries.

315. An expert consultation, Technology Assessment and Transfer for Sustainable Development, Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Sub-Saharan Africa, involved FAO, the Special Programme for African Agricultural Research (SPAAR), the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the Ghanaian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The FAO/IARCs (International Agricultural Research Centre) task force meeting and four workshops on technology assessment and transfer were held. Four technical briefs for meetings of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and case studies on the impact of foreign assistance on NARS in developing countries were completed.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology, an emerging area in research and technology development, has policy and ethical implications. The programme promotes development of new technologies to facilitate rural development and food security. Results of a survey of biotechnology networks will be used to launch an electronic forum for policy-makers and managers. A Glossary of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering was published, providing terms and definitions utilised in this field.

316. An expert consultation planned to assist NARS in developing guidelines and planning tools for integrating sustainable food security into their research could not be held due to resource constraints. The consultation has been changed into an electronic conference to be held in June 2000.

317. To support the Association of Agricultural Research Institutions in the Near East and North Africa (AARINENA) and facilitate information sharing and partnership among Near East NARS, a directory of institutions was to be published utilising data generated by FAO, AARINENA, the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) and the International Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM) in 19 countries of the region. Delays in data delivery resulted in postponement of the project, now scheduled for completion by December 2000.

318. Information on research and network support and technology assessment was disseminated in support of the European System of Cooperative Research Networks (ESCORENA). The network was reviewed for adaptation to the new European research environment. Recommendations will be implemented in the next biennium.

319. Over 2 500 researchers participated in some 30 courses, workshops and conferences organised by the networks. Support is shrinking due to reduced resources, which has affected capacity to publish results and the ability of the Central and Eastern European countries (CEE) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to participate. European support enabled publication of 22 issues of seven newsletters in three languages and 11 co-publications. Only four issues of the REU Technical Series were published.

320. Research Cooperation and Coordination. In 1998, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) Secretariat of CGIAR moved to two meetings annually; meetings of TAC 74, 75, 76 and 77 were held. TAC members and the Secretariat participated in CGIAR Centre meetings to facilitate programme monitoring and implementation, particularly climate change and natural and genetic resource management. The TAC Chair contributed to two CGIAR mid-term meetings (MTMs) and two International Centres Week (ICW) meetings. Reports of these and of MTM '98, MTM '99, ICW '98 and ICW '99 were issued. TAC prepared reports on resource allocation for CGIAR centres for these meetings. TAC output documentation was placed on the Internet.

321. To assess science quality and relevance, TAC and CGIAR conducted external programme and management reviews of seven centres: Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), ICARDA (completion in 2000), International Centre for Living Aquatic Resources Management (ICLARM), International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and the first phases of West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA) and International Water Management Institute (IWMI) (completion early in 2000). Six reviews are usually scheduled. In accordance with CGIAR Priorities and Strategies 1998-2000, the first external reviews of the system-wide genetic resources and eco-regional programmes were implemented.

322. Pursuant to CGIAR's MTM '97 recommendations, TAC implemented two expert studies on general issues in biotechnology and proprietary science and technology. TAC also completed studies on CGIAR priorities for marginal lands and commitments in Latin America and the Caribbean, complementing CGIAR resource allocation and prioritisation. The Logical Framework for CGIAR, improving planning, communication and accountability, was completed with Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group collaboration.

323. Agricultural Extension, Education and Communication. Extension systems in Africa received support jointly from FAO and the Neuchatel initiative. A common framework was developed, field studies were conducted and consultations were attended in Mali and Sweden. With the World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT) collaboration, an electronic database was established at FAO to update information on national agricultural extension systems. Case studies on planning, monitoring and evaluation in six Caribbean nations were initiated.

324. A guide on extension work with rural women, a book on participatory extension in Zaire and a study on educating farmers in soil conservation in Costa Rica were published. Guidelines on field demonstrations supporting the Special Programme on Food Security were distributed and technical assistance was provided to member countries. Studies were initiated on the impact of HIV/AIDS on agricultural extension, training needs of disabled persons in agriculture, participatory extension for women and wider adoption of hybrid rice.

325. Ghana, Zambia and Zimbabwe field-tested a new approach to helping rural youth organizations reach shared visions of their needs and interests. Participatory planning at village level and strategic planning with national leaders were carried out. Ghana now has a National Strategic Action Plan for Rural Youth Programmes in Agriculture. Two workshops were held supporting this. To enhance collaboration among youth organizations, Ethiopia, the Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe implemented seminars on rural youth and food security. During the 19th International Seminar for the Promotion of Rural Youth Work (Herrsching, Germany, 1998), FAO provided youth development and food security training for professionals from 54 countries. The Research, Extension and Training Division (SDR) supported the 1999 World Food Day theme, Youth Against Hunger, establishing an FAO Rural Youth Internet site and making a presentation in Japan.

326. Two workshops were held to assist member countries in the Near East in introducing environmental education. Training modules developed in these are used by educational institutions throughout the region. A publication was completed on a similar exercise held previously in six Asian countries.

327. A participatory curriculum development method was tested in Namibia to upgrade formal education programmes. A manual on the incorporation of food security, sustainable agriculture and rural development into curricula and a directory of agricultural education institutions in Asia and the Pacific were published. Data transfer to electronic media for wider dissemination was initiated.

328. An issue of Training for Agricultural and Rural Development, which provides information on successful educational and extension innovations worldwide, was published. A method to survey the need for trained agricultural personnel for rural employment and sustainable development was developed and tested in Tanzania, followed by development of a master plan for agricultural training needs.

329. In Latin America and the Caribbean, assistance was provided to eight projects to support extension work, farmer training, rural teachers and Non-governmental Organization (NGO) workers. Advice on communications was provided in 30 countries. Fifteen communications training workshops were conducted and four prototype media packages were developed. Communication for natural resource management training and media activities were implemented in Bolivia, Morocco and Syria. Publications were put on a CD-ROM and a video was prepared.

Participatory Communication to Assess the Role of Women
in Natural Resource Management in Pakistan

The role of women in natural resource management is often undervalued because of traditional gender roles. To address this, the Interregional Project for Participatory Upland Conservation and Development (PUCD) - an FAO/Italy/Pakistan cooperation - promoted women's participation in watershed management in Kanak Valley, Baluchistan.

Since women may not express opinions about matters outside the household, it is difficult to involve them in conservation. The project helped women gain self-reliance in taking resource-management decisions and actions. Participatory group and audiovisual communications helped women express their needs and concerns. Photographs proved powerful tools for women to make themselves heard regarding sustainable use of natural resources.

 

330. Continuing work on communication policies, workshops were held in Cape Verde, the Central African Republic and Guinea Bissau. Policy documents were produced for each. Studies on rural radio strategies, including equipment requirements and commercial feasibility, were undertaken in some African countries.

331. Supporting the FAO High-level Consultation on Women and Information (Rome, October 1999), the publication Voices for Change - Rural Women and Communication was prepared. Support continued to the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Centre for Communication for Development for financial sustainability plans, the Norwegian-funded Integrated Programme, the Pan African Rinderpest Campaign and the Centre de Services de production audiovisuelle (CESPA) in Mali, from which a training manual on video use was produced. A workshop was conducted in Malawi on using folk media for development; a handbook for participatory rural communication appraisal was prepared.

332. Innovative Internet-based information and communication technology tools were developed to improve dissemination of information - the Virtual Extension-Research Communication Network and Farm Information Networks (FARM-Net) - with applications in eight countries; several Information and communication technology (ICT) publications were prepared. Following assessment, work was started in Mali linking rural radio to the Internet to reach remote rural audiences.

333. Natural Resources, Environmental Monitoring and Coordination for Sustainable Development and Food Security. Focus was on development and use of environmental databases as well as on decision support tools for analysis, natural resource management and policy formulation for environmental conventions and agreements. The programme was implemented by the Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN) in cooperation with various partners.

334. Development continued of integrated data-collection methods, remote sensing, geographic information systems (GIS), agro-meteorology and earth observation systems. These methods and decision-support tools have contributed to sustainable agriculture development.

335. Eight environmental databases were updated. The Africa Real Time Environmental Monitoring System (ARTEMIS), which now has global coverage with SPOT Vegetation IV data, provided value-added information to Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture (GIEWS) for early warning on food security and for locust monitoring and control. Using decision-support tools, the GIS/AGROMET (Agrometeorology Group) data and remote sensing database provided environmental analysis to food insecurity and vulnerability mapping and to the State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI) report. The Land Cover Map and Geodatabase for Africa (AFRICOVER) first phase is complete - a preliminary environmental database for East Africa and standardised Land Cover/Use Classification System (LCCS) with related software. A GIS map catalogue was prepared. The Secretariat of the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) was extended, using existing resources and trust funds. The GT-Net global observation system and the Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Sites meta-database (TEMS) became operational. GTOS programmes were initiated in Central and Eastern Europe. Projects estimating net terrestrial primary productivity and carbon were started, assisting climate studies.

336. Technical backstopping to 60 regional and national projects continued, including AFRICOVER and ICAMS (Integrated Coastal Monitoring). Support was also provided to the Regional Environmental Information Management Project (REIMP) carried out in collaboration with the WB and Congo Basin countries. Partnerships inside and outside FAO were strengthened. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) were signed, including cooperation with EC and NASA.

337. Support continued for environment and sustainability policy formulation at all levels. Progress was made in developing sustainability indicators, such as land quality indicators with the World Bank, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Studies on the impact of renewable energy sources on the food chain continued. A conference on bio-energy from agricultural residues was organised in Latin America. The World Energy Council and FAO jointly published The Challenge of Rural Energy Poverty in Developing Countries. Advice was provided on environmental policies, geo-spatial information infrastructure, agro-meteorology, remote sensing and GIS and integrated management information systems. National capacity-building was emphasised through development of guidelines, manuals, standards and decision-support tools. Bases for organic agriculture were started.

338. Assistance to the conventions on climate change, desertification and biodiversity supported FAO obligations such as assessment of agricultural biodiversity activities for the Subsidiary Body for Scientific Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) V of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Support continued for FAO's input to the Eighth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development. This focused on agriculture issues and inter-agency cooperation, particularly environment, sustainable development and follow-up to UNCED. Partnerships were established with the secretariats of the conventions and various organizations. Secretariat services were provided to the interdepartmental working groups on biodiversity, climate change, desertification and organic agriculture. With UN agencies and intergovernmental bodies, FAO contributed to the development of an Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) and organised an IGOS forum.

339. Preparations for the FAO/Netherlands Conference on the Multifunctional Character of Agriculture and Land were completed, including two technical papers, a database of successes and six papers: agricultural biodiversity, bio-energy, water, environment and trade, drylands and research and technology. The content of the documentation was commended by the conference, whose results were presented to the FAO Council and Conference, which advised on future activities.

340. Assistance was provided to the preparation of the Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture in Small Island Developing States (March 1999). Three internally prepared technical papers helped the Conference to adopt a plan of action in agriculture in small island developing states through a ministerial declaration.

Programme 2.5.2: Women and Population

Regular Programme

 

US$000

 

Programme of Work

6,142

 

Budgetary Transfers

0

 

Final Programme of Work

6,142

 

Expenditure

6,185

 

(Over)/Under Spending, US$ '000

(43)

 

(Over)/Under Spending, %

(1%)

Field Programme

 

US$000

 

Extra-Budgetary TF and UNDP Delivery

5,873

 

Extra-Budgetary Emergency Project Delivery

2

 

TCP Delivery

584

 

Total Field Programme Delivery

6,459

 

Ratio of Field to Regular Programme

1.0

 

Technical Support Services, Prof. Staff Cost

898

 

Technical Support Services, % of delivery

14%

Programme Outcome

 

Approved

Cancelled/

Unplanned

Total

Delivered

Percent

 

In PWB

Postponed

Delivered

Delivered

Unmodified

Modified

Delivered

Methodologies and Guidelines

18

(5)

1

14

9

5

78%

Coordination and Information Exchange

3

0

3

6

6

0

200%

Information Systems and Data Bases

2

(1)

1

2

2

0

100%

International Undertakings and Agreements

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Meetings

0

0

5

5

5

0

 

Publications

2

(1)

6

7

7

0

350%

Training

12

(4)

1

9

7

2

75%

Support to Member Countries and the Field

20

(8)

4

16

14

2

80%


Achievements

341. The programme assists in integrating socio-economic, demographic and gender issues into national policies for agricultural and rural development and promotes these issues in FAO activities. The focus for follow-up to the 1994 Cairo Plan of Action on Population and Development and the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action on Women, it coordinates the FAO Plan of Action for Women in Development (1996-2001).

342. Women in Agriculture and Rural Development. Gender issues were promoted in relation to policies, legislation and civil institutions, national capacity-building, participation and food security. Training on Socioeconomic and Gender Analysis (SEAGA) methods was given in 26 countries. A SEAGA irrigation guide is now in use. Technical guides are being developed for:

343. Collaboration among Rome-based UN agencies was strengthened; FAO and World Food Programme (WFP) are preparing a SEAGA guide on gender and emergency. SEAGA documents, generally funded from extra-budgetary resources, are available in English, Spanish, French and Portuguese; translation into Arabic is underway.

344. A member of the UN Inter-agency Committee on Women and Gender Equality (IACWGE), the programme contributed to:

 

Achievements at Regional Level:

The Regional Office for Africa (RAF) supported the Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Ghana on its Gender and Agricultural Development Strategy, supplementing the National Gender and Development Plan of Action, preparing for SEAGA training for ministry staff and supporting decentralization of Ghana's public administration. Following RAF/SDWW preparation, the 16th Meeting of the African Commission on Agricultural Statistics (AFCAS) will integrate gender concerns into data collection. Norway and Finland supported a sustainable development and food security programme, launched in partnership with Namibia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The programme is responsible for gender-disaggregated statistics, household resource management and SEAGA, three of the seven components currently funded and ensures programme coordination and secretarial support for the Programme Implementation Task Force (PITF).

The Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) organised a technical expert meeting: Participatory research methods and gender data base, producing a publication.

The Regional Office for Europe (REU) supported the 9th Session of the Working Party on Women and the Family in Rural Development (WPW), Armenia, October 1998, assessing women's involvement in rural development in the European Region and discussing challenges based on six case studies, and two International Rural Development Summer Schools: the 11th (Greece, 1998) on the role of microfinance models in rural community development and the 12th (Estonia, 1999) on NGOs in rural development. These focus on training, methods and acquisition of information and skills. Other activities:

  • development of collection and analysis methods for gender disaggregated data in Bulgaria, Poland and Spain;
  • a workshop in Slovakia on women's participation in policy-making in rural communities, enhancing access to policy-makers and participation in decisions;
  • a SEAGA training of trainers workshop in Spain on incorporating gender issues into policies and projects.

The Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC) assisted in Panama with rural development training on participation, gender analysis and gender-response strategy. SEAGA methods were adapted for training and community planning; participatory planning methods were tested in five communities. Outcomes were:

  • training modules on gender, participation and rural development;
  • proposals for gender strategy in rural development;
  • guidance for community-based credit systems.

Technical cooperation strengthened the capacity of the Ministry of Agrarian Reform in Brazil (INCRA) to implement gender-responsive policies reducing obstacles to women's access to resources and supported the National Commission on Rural Women in Mexico in integrating gender perspectives into agricultural projects, including a training of trainers programme using the SEAGA approach. A project was initiated in Nicaragua to enhance gender-responsive policies, supporting the Instituto de la Mujer Nicaraguense (INIM) (TCP/NIC/8923). Gender strategy development is foreseen in support to agricultural institutions.

The Regional Office for the Near East (RNE) provided technical assistance to Tunisia, Algeria and Syria in action plans integrating rural women into national programmes; survey information on rural women was collected. Rural institution personnel were trained in community development, using participatory methods and gender analysis. National workshops validated the plans of action. Technical assistance was provided for gender mainstreaming in projects in Mauritania and Yemen.

 

345. Attention focused on women as agents in ensuring food security. A SEAGA guide on gender-sensitive household resource management for agricultural training institutes will be finalised in 2000. A project supported by Finland was implemented in Poland and Cameroon; national reports were prepared on baseline studies of home economics and agricultural extension, with national workshops to discuss outcomes. In Cameroon, a workshop updated FAO training materials, including improving extension work with rural women. In Poland, three field guides were prepared with the University of Warsaw:

Norway supported preparation of two videos:

Two technical documents were prepared:

RAP held two technical expert meetings:

RAF finalised manuals on numeracy and book-keeping for illiterate adults to enhance business management abilities. RNE initiated studies in Yemen, Syria and Egypt on household resource management and food security. Regional Women in Development (WID)/gender specialists assisted the Special Programme on Food Security (SPFS).

346. Initiatives were developed to improve understanding of women's roles in natural resources management. Women's traditional knowledge of natural resources underpins subsistence and community needs, contributing to biodiversity conservation. Research was undertaken in Bolivia, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Peru on methods to understand and measure women's contributions in agriculture, livestock production, seed selection and conservation of genetic resources. An agreement with the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) builds knowledge and experience of gender and genetic resources management. Publications were agreed on gender mainstreaming in natural resources management, including Women Farmers and Andean Seeds and Gender and Farming Systems. RAP organised the technical consultation Gender Dimensions in Biodiversity Management and Food Security, producing relevant publications. RNE initiated studies in Jordan, Morocco, Sudan and Egypt on gender roles in medicinal, culinary and aromatic plants for natural resources conservation and income generation. Norway supported a project emphasising gender and biodiversity in Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Mozambique (see box).

Valuing Knowledge for Sustainable Use of Biodiversity

FAO's project Gender, Biodiversity and Local Knowledge Systems to Strengthen Agriculture and Rural Development in Southern Africa promotes understanding of how people's knowledge helps biodiversity conservation and enhances food security, linking NGOs, governments, universities and training centres through directories of institutions.

It assists organizations to identify people with knowledge related to biodiversity conservation and determine how such knowledge can promote food security. A training programme enhanced understanding among researchers and field staff, enabling them to support community-based, gender-responsive approaches to genetic resource management; this included exchanges between organizations in Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

The project sponsors debates, workshops, networking and exchanges to share information with rural communities, agricultural institutions and policy makers.

 

347. Information about roles, needs and priorities among rural people is important to the planning process; dissemination of information thus remains a priority. World Food Day/TeleFood 1998 had the theme Women Feed the World. The high-level consultation Rural Women and Information (1999), supported by France, Italy, the Netherlands and Norway, brought together Ministers of Agriculture, Ministers of Equal Opportunity and observers from the UN, Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) and NGOs. Presentations were made by government, academic, media and civil specialists. A draft Strategy for Action for Policies Meeting the Challenges of Both Food Security and Gender Equality - the Role of Information was finalised. Support continued to the Worldwide Information and Awareness Campaign on Rural Women launched in Beijing and information was made available in English, French, Spanish and Arabic (see box).

Publications:

Voices for change - rural women and communication;

Filling the data gap - gender-sensitive statistics for agricultural development;

Agricultural censuses and gender considerations - concepts and methodology;

Participation and information: the key to gender-responsive agricultural policy;

Legal aspects on rural women's access to land in Cuba, Honduras, Nicaragua and Dominican Republic;

Rural women and food security - current situation and perspectives;

Gender database for Pacific island countries;

Community radio for rural women;

Maldivian gender roles in bioresource management;

Gender roles in peanut sector for household food security;

Sri Lankan women and men in bioresource management.

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China PR, India, Lao PDR, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam (country fact sheets).

Thematic Fact Sheets:

Women - users, preservers and managers of biodiversity;

An integrated rural development project in the Niger - an example of women's multidimensional role;

Gender analysis of agricultural production systems;

Women's role in rice farming;

Agricultural implements used by women farmers in Africa;

Gender, socio-economic analysis and training (SEAGA) programme;

Women's access to financial services.

Audiovisual Products:

Women feed the world (CD-ROM/videos);

The phantom statistic (multimedia);

audio cassettes illustrating women's contributions to agriculture in Barbados, Bolivia, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, India and South Africa.

 

348. Support continued to the Inter-Departmental Committee on Women in Development (COWID) through initiatives such as Corporate Progress Review on Gender Mainstreaming in FAO. The Internet site Gender and Food Security was launched on International Women's Day 1999. Terms of reference for the Project and Programme Review Committee (PPRC) were revised to include gender. Collaboration was initiated with PBE on incorporating gender in medium-term planning. Assessment of the gender focal point role in technical divisions was carried out. In Africa, the FAO/ WID Plan of Action was adapted to regional and sub-regional contexts.

349. Population. Support continued to the Programme of Action of the 1994 World Conference on Population and Development. Papers on rural population trends and social and environmental factors focused on:

350. Following the 1996 World Food Summit a document on food and population, Une voie étroite pour la sécurité alimentaire d'ici à 2050 was published by FAO and Economica, Paris, summarising population and food security trends.

351. Work continued on HIV/AIDS implications for agriculture and rural development, concentrating on responses from rural institutions. Technical backstopping was provided to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Support Teams (CSTs). Collaboration with CSTs and UN inter-agency links was strengthened through papers on population and rural development and participation in workshops on national capacity-building. Participatory approaches, innovative methods and strengthening population expertise in addressing national concerns were emphasised.

352. Two workshops were held in priority areas. The Thematic Workshop on Population, Poverty and Environment, focusing on connections between population change, poverty, environmental degradation and resulting programme implications, was prepared with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and supported by UNFPA. The Thematic Workshop on Male Involvement in Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes and Services, addressing aspects of male involvement with implications for gender issues in farm-households, was organised by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO), with assistance from UNFPA and NGOs.

Programme 2.5.3: Rural Development

Regular Programme

 

US$000

 

Programme of Work

8,537

 

Budgetary Transfers

(250)

 

Final Programme of Work

8,287

 

Expenditure

8,354

 

(Over)/Under Spending, US$ '000

(67)

 

(Over)/Under Spending, %

(1%)

Field Programme

 

US$000

 

Extra-Budgetary TF and UNDP Delivery

15,656

 

Extra-Budgetary Emergency Project Delivery

43

 

TCP Delivery

2,189

 

Total Field Programme Delivery

17,888

 

Ratio of Field to Regular Programme

2.1

 

Technical Support Services, Prof. Staff Cost

1,456

 

Technical Support Services, % of delivery

8%

Programme Outcome

 

Approved

Cancelled/

Unplanned

Total

Delivered

Percent

 

In PWB

Postponed

Delivered

Delivered

Unmodified

Modified

Delivered

Methodologies and Guidelines

21

(2)

0

19

14

5

90%

Coordination and Information Exchange

5

(1)

3

7

6

1

140%

Information Systems and Data Bases

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

International Undertakings and Agreements

0

0

1

1

1

0

 

Meetings

3

(2)

1

2

2

0

67%

Publications

0

0

7

7

7

0

 

Training

3

(1)

0

2

2

0

67%

Support to Member Countries and the Field

5

(2)

0

3

3

0

60%


Achievements

353. This Programme assists in implementing rural development policies, enabling participation by all sectors. The main thrusts were:

354. Output included methods, guidelines, technical support, information systems and publications. National efforts in decentralisation were supported in different regions, enhancing utilisation of products, exchanges and alliances in institutional reform and the capacity of chambers of agriculture and farmers' organizations. International partnerships were promoted through the Administrative Committee on Coordination (ACC) Network on Rural Development and Food Security. Inputs were provided to FAO's Strategic Framework.

355. Land Tenure. Assistance was provided in implementing land tenure policies and administration in all regions.

356. Good Practices Guidelines for Agricultural Leasing Arrangements assisted application of leasing market theory to rural development in Latin America. An agricultural land prices study, part of the peace agreement in Guatemala, was carried out with the World Bank and the Regional Unit for Technical Assistance (RUTA); outputs are in use. A multi-agency network on market-assisted land reform was set up with the Popular Coalition. Assistance was provided to developing and transitional countries in assessing land markets and regulations, private mortgages and tenure information, bringing together administrators from Balkan and EU countries and contributing to a larger alliance for knowledge transfer through the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) Initiative.

357. Guidelines for policy makers on tenure responses to peri-urban expansion and a book Thésaurus multilingue du foncier were published. Networking was promoted in peri-urban land tenure and policy response to demographic change, based on studies in African countries. Policy advice papers were produced on land tenure, cadastre-based land registration and peri-urban agriculture.

358. Rural Institutions and Participation. Following the 1997 Technical Consultation on Decentralisation, outputs and policy advice concerned analysis of rural institutions with regard to decentralisation and restructuring, guidance on partnerships strengthening cooperation among rural poor, household income strategies and cooperatives. Asian experiences of decentralised development were analysed during a workshop in Thailand.

359. Methods of enhancing rural institutions and chambers of agriculture were refined through studies and projects in Africa and Southeast Asia. The role of ministries of agriculture in Sub-Saharan Africa, national experiences and institutional issues were analysed; results were compared during a workshop in Dakar. In Latin America, an information network on decentralisation was started, studies were conducted on decentralisation, rural development and poverty alleviation and an analysis of local organizations and public agencies was carried out. A paper on the politics of institutional change was prepared. A training kit was developed to strengthen institutional collaboration in decentralisation, adapted for Asia with the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific. Guidelines for transfer of irrigation services to users' organizations were published with the Land and Water Development Division (AGL).

360. Studies in Africa and Latin America on civil and rural organizations and a network supporting Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and NGOs analysing local coalitions were established. Training manuals for trainers in cooperative management were tested in Asia and Africa. The Regional Asian and Pacific International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)/Cooperative Ministers' Conference endorsed promotion of food security through cooperatives. Policy advice was provided to Vietnam on implementation of legal frameworks on cooperatives. Guidelines on capital formation for cooperatives were published; research was undertaken in Africa with the University of Wageningen, producing publications on micro/rural finance. A regional meeting on research methods for analysing Central Asian pastoral societies published guidelines and received a request from Mongolia for assistance in risk management for pastoral populations.

361. Research was undertaken in India, Mexico and Mozambique on rural income-generation in relation to local institutions, providing material for guidelines on reduction of constraints and improving links between farm and off-farm incomes. The report Determinants of Rural Household Incomes and Their Impact on Poverty and Food Security in the Resettlement and Communal Areas of Zimbabwe was published. An Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)/FAO project on poverty alleviation through rural employment was implemented in Asia. In Thailand, training for disabled people in remunerative mushroom production was developed; in India, training for women's groups in remunerative bee-keeping was field-tested.

362. An inter-divisional working group on participatory approaches and methods to support sustainable livelihoods and food security was established in 1998 with the Rural Development Division (SDA), the Agricultural Support Systems Division (AGS) and the Agriculture and Economic Development Analysis Division (ESA), facilitating a more coherent participatory approach in the field programme and SPFS and fostering new recommendations on participation in support of CSOs, NGOs and local development services organizations. Implications of sustainable livelihoods for incomes and access to resources were analysed for FAO's Strategic Framework.

363. Partnerships and Alliances For Food Security. Policy advice was provided on partnerships supporting food security. Land tenure roles of NGOs and CSOs were promoted through the Popular Coalition and other networks. Changes in the sub-programme increased support to the ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security.

364. With regard to land tenure and rural development, databases were developed on participatory approaches, decentralisation and agrarian structures. Two seminars on agrarian structure databases were held; a database contribution to WAICENT was designed. Information on institutional reforms, cadastre-related tools and participatory techniques was disseminated through policy advice, projects and FAO's Internet site.

365. The ACC Network on Rural Development and Food Security, established with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and WFP, expanded its activities. Guidelines were produced facilitating national initiatives. A system supporting national UN offices was established. Exchanges among network partners, FAORs and UNDP Resident Coordinators led to successful information flows. An Internet site was set up; IFAD established an information forum on lessons learned. Sixty-four national Thematic Groups on Rural Development and Food Security were being developed, promoting information exchange within the Resident Coordinator System, with a further 16 being established. National Thematic Groups addressed institutional relationships linking rural development and food security, promoting the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and forging links with the System-wide Initiative on Africa (UNSIA) and Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping Systems (FIVIMS).

366. Partnerships and Alliances. An e-mail conference of over 400 specialists on small farmers' associations was held, focusing on their contribution to food security; a manual was drafted. Studies were conducted in Argentina and Mexico on alliances and good practices in poor areas.

Programme 2.5.6: Food Production in Support of Food Security in LIFDCs

Regular Programme

 

US$000

 

Programme of Work

10,237

 

Budgetary Transfers

(600)

 

Final Programme of Work

9,637

 

Expenditure

9,571

 

(Over)/Under Spending, US$ '000

66

 

(Over)/Under Spending, %

1%

Field Programme

 

US$000

 

Extra-Budgetary TF and UNDP Delivery

10,079

 

Extra-Budgetary Emergency Project Delivery

0

 

SPFS Delivery

7,172

 

Total Field Programme Delivery

17,251

 

Ratio of Field to Regular Programme

1.8

 

Technical Support Services, Prof. Staff Cost

250

 

Technical Support Services, % of delivery

1%

Programme Outcome

 

Approved

Cancelled/

Unplanned

Total

Delivered

Percent

 

In PWB

Postponed

Delivered

Delivered

Unmodified

Modified

Delivered

Methodologies and Guidelines

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Coordination and Information Exchange

1

0

0

1

1

0

100%

Information Systems and Data Bases

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

International Undertakings and Agreements

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Meetings

1

0

0

1

1

0

100%

Publications

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Training

0

0

0

0

0

0

 

Support to Member Countries and the Field

2

0

0

2

2

0

100%


Achievements

367. The SPFS continued to assist Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs) to improve their national food security through rapid increases in productivity and food production using economical and sustainable methods, reducing production variation from one year to the next and improving access to food. Multi-disciplinary, participatory approaches, national ownership and development partnerships were emphasised. Improving farm income, rural employment, social equity and gender sensitivity are core features of the SPFS. The SPFS considerably expanded its coverage to additional interested LIFDCs during the biennium.

368. Delivery of SPFS programme formulation missions and projects totalled US$ 7.17 million. In addition, a significant portion of the staff time of the SPFS Coordination and Monitoring Service (TCOS), accounted for under Regular Programme Expenditure, was spent on project formulation and monitoring activities. Regular Programme resources of US$ 598 000 were also used to reimburse divisions for technical services they provided to the SPFS. The Extra-budgetary delivery was somewhat below the level planned in the Programme of Work and Budget (PWB) 1998-99, mainly as the result of a reduced UNDP contribution, which amounted to US$ 2.6 million rather than the US$ 10.5 million expected.

369. SPFS Phase I (microeconomics) is implemented by governments and communities, mobilising and training local personnel, involving farmers and supplying inputs and equipment. Phase 1 components are:

370. Phase I has the explicit intent to broaden the range of components and geographical areas covered to respond to demand, institutional capacities, level of experience and availability of resources. Coverage can expand either through the addition of components at existing sites or through expansion of the number of sites. Often the SPFS includes 30+ sites within a country to cover different ecological, economic and administrative areas.

371. Phase II has the aim to build on the achievements of Phase I and create the macro-economic and financial environment for large-scale replication of micro-approaches that have proven successful. Phase 2 components are:

372. Over 75 requests to participate in SPFS have been received since 1994. Experience has led to extension of programmes and incorporation of new countries. In 1998-99 SPFS was operational in 55 countries: including 32 in Africa, 12 in Asia, 7 in Latin America, 2 in Europe and 2 in South Pacific. The SPFS formulated proposals for 22 additional countries: 9 in Africa, 7 in Asia, 4 in Latin America and 2 in Europe. Table 2.5-1 lists these.

TABLE 2.5-1: SPFS IMPLEMENTATION, DECEMBER 1999

Africa

Asia

Europe

Latin America

South Pacific

Operational stage

Angola

Bangladesh

Albania

Bolivia

Papua New Guinea

Benin

Cambodia

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ecuador

Solomon Islands

Burkina Faso

China

 

Guatemala

 

Cape Verde

Georgia

 

Haiti

 

Chad

India

 

Honduras

 

Congo Dem. Rep.

Korea DPR.

 

Nicaragua

 

Côte d'Ivoire

Mongolia

 

Peru

 

Djibouti

Nepal

     

Egypt

Pakistan

     

Equatorial Guinea

Sri Lanka

     

Eritrea

Syria

     

Ethiopia

Yemen

     

Ghana

       

Guinea

       

Kenya

       

Lesotho

       

Madagascar

       

Malawi

       

Mali

       

Mauritania

       

Morocco

       

Mozambique

       

Niger

       

Nigeria

       

Rwanda

       

Senegal

       

Swaziland

       

Tanzania

       

Togo

       

Uganda

       

Zambia

       

Zimbabwe

       

Formulation stage

Burundi

Armenia

Azerbaijan

Cuba

 

Cameroon

Indonesia

Macedonia

Dominica

 

Central African Republic

Kyrgyzstan

 

Dominican Republic

 

Comoros

Lao PDR

 

Suriname

 

Gambia

Maldives

     

Guinea-Bissau

Philippines

     

Liberia

Turkmenistan

     

South Africa

       

Sudan

       

Formulated

       

Samoa

373. Assessment of the results achieved confirms rapid increase in number of sites, hectares covered, farmers reached and the importance of water control. Demonstrations including low-cost water management obtained the best results in terms of yield and the sustainability of production, incorporation of high value crops, cropping intensification, incomes and food security. Crop intensification enhanced crop production, technological processing packages and single agricultural practices, particularly in rainfed areas. Crop intensification focused initially on rice and maize, with sorghum, wheat, millet, cassava, yam and horticulture being incorporated later. Diversification targeted at women and small farmers generated skills for short-cycle animal production, apiculture, fish farming and artisanal fisheries. Participatory identification and avoidance of socio-economic constraints were a component of all programmes and progress has been achieved in removing constraints, particularly among farmers.

374. Results of constraints analysis provide evidence of untapped potential to increase yields of staples and identify priorities and interventions to achieve sustainable results. Constraints analysis has raised awareness and understanding of constraints faced by farmers: soil and water, infrastructure, inputs, services, culture, economics and policy.

375. Selected results are described in the following box.

Senegal

In Casamance and Senegal River Valley, crops under intensification and improved water control are rice, millet, sorghum, maize and vegetables. Diversification focused on short cycle animals, beekeeping, fruits and aquaculture. Yield increases have been substantial: 5 tons of paddy rice in Matam (2.7 to 4.2 in control plots); 4 tons in Kolda/Kedougou (0.6 to 2.5 in control plots). Italy contributed to financing and an SSC agreement with Vietnam facilitated extension to 18 sites and 7 007 farmers. The government has allocated US$ 5 million to extend to 30 sites.

Zambia

Intensification started in 1995 in three provinces for maize, bulrush millet, legumes and cassava. Since 1996, low-cost irrigation has been introduced and water control focusing on vegetable gardening, which has expanded to 73 locations in five provinces through an IFAD-funded project with FAO assistance. Aquaculture started in 1996; a rabbit programme has also been initiated. SPFS is integrated into the National Agricultural Programme and the World Bank-supported Agricultural Sector Investment Programme. Yields from rainfed maize in 1998 averaged 2.3 ton/ha, compared with 1.7 on control farms. Irrigated crops - tomatoes, onions and cabbage - showed high yields.

Cambodia

SPFS activities began in 1997 and focused on water management, plant nutrition, pest management, certified seeds and diversification. Technical staff were trained on the pilot programme. Innovations included high-yield rice, new seeds and improved husbandry through Farmer Field Schools. Improved water management, seeds and fertilizer increased rice yields from 2.0 ton/ha to 2.6 ton/ha. The proportion of non-rice crops increased to 67 percent. Chicken survival rates increased from 25 percent to 75 percent; pig mortality fell from 35 percent to 10 percent. The proportion of farmers facing food shortages dropped from 50 percent to 15 percent; those with surpluses increased from 10 percent to 40 percent. The programme received TCP support and has been extended with an UNFIP project.

Ecuador

Focus is on rehabilitation of existing irrigation infrastructures and crop intensification activities in an upland site (beans, tomato, onions and other vegetables; 730 ha; 730 households) supported by an Ecuadorian-Canadian Fund and a coastal site (550 households; 1 000 ha; maize, pepper, tomato, beans, citrus, fruit trees) where a TCP project on water control and crop intensification is being implemented. Results of experimental water control on beans (30 percent of controls) showed increased income in existing systems. Pepper and tomato costs decreased 35 percent through improved technology. In response to the governments priority on food security, an SPFS network of programmes, donors and NGOs was established.

Papua New Guinea

The programme initiated in 1996 focuses on irrigated and rainfed demonstrations including vegetables, maize, rice, roots and tubers with a diversification component including poultry, rabbits and aquaculture. Droughts have affected yields but vegetable production has shown high returns. Rainfed rice averaged 3.8 ton/ha; 56 percent of farmers reached margins of over 100 percent, with 16 percent over 200; 15 percent had negative margins due to lack of farm care. A South-South Cooperation programme with the Philippines was formulated in December 1999.

376. South-South Cooperation (SSC) under SPFS expanded rapidly with FAO and donor support, allowing recipient countries to benefit from others' expertise and experience. Advanced developing countries provide the majority of experts sent to work with farmers in LIFDCs. Experts play a key role in Phase I activities and it has been determined that to achieve a critical mass, about 100 experts are required, covering sites representing all regions of a country. Over 20 developing countries have expressed interest in supporting SPFS in LIFDCs. Through 12 SSC agreements, about 1 200 experts and field technicians have been committed. Cooperating and recipient countries include: China/Bangladesh, Vietnam/Madagascar, Egypt/Djibouti, Bangladesh/Gambia, Egypt/Tanzania, China/Mauritania, Vietnam/Benin, Morocco/Burkina Faso, Morocco/Niger, India/Eritrea, China/Ethiopia and Vietnam/Senegal.

377. Regular Programme expenditures equalled the US$ 10 million appropriation. Several donors supported pilot activities in countries where SPFS operates, also formulating programmes for new participants. Extra-budgetary resources mobilized in support of the SPFS exceeded US$ 80 million, shown in Table 2.5-2. This includes both external donors and recipient countries. Recipients who committed themselves to contribute to SPFS were Senegal (US$ 5 million) and Nigeria (US$ 45.2 million).

TABLE 2.5-2: DONOR SUPPORT TO THE SPFS (INDICATIVE)

Donor country/institutions

Recipient country

Expected US$

Committed US$

Belgium

Burkina Faso

 

1,166,683

 

Congo Dem. Rep.

 

1,369,097

France

Haiti

 

494,000

 

Madagascar

 

492,486

 

Senegal

 

60,000

Italy

Angola

 

1,123,955

 

Eritrea

 

1,077,874

 

Ethiopia

 

1,866,110

 

Mozambique

 

1,750,000

 

Senegal

 

1,584,810

Japan

Niger

 

450,000

Netherlands

Mali

 

2,115,797

Republic of Korea

Korea, DPR

 

500,000

Spain

Guatemala

1,441,042

558,958

 

Honduras

1,433,700

566,300

 

Nicaragua

1,420,642

579,358

Nigeria

Nigeria

 

45,198,000

Senegal

Senegal

 

5,000,000

South Africa

South Africa

5,744,000

 

African Development Bank

8 countries *

 

8,000,000

IFAD

Zambia

 

605,567

Islamic Development Bank

Comoros

 

96,000

 

Djibouti

3,200,000

 
 

Gambia

 

994,155

Commonwealth

Gambia

 

57,000

New Holland

Tanzania

 

257,000

PFL

Cambodia

 

75,000

 

Mauritania

 

75,000

 

Mozambique

 

75,000

 

Senegal

 

70,000

UNDP

Albania

 

348,900

 

Madagascar

 

245,754

 

Rwanda

 

723,843

UNDP/SPPD

Djibouti

 

30,000

 

Equatorial Guinea

 

30,000

 

Ethiopia

 

100,000

 

India

 

153,000

 

Liberia

 

56,625

 

Niger

 

141,000

UNFIP

Cambodia

 

530,000

 

Nepal

 

530,000

 

Zambia

 

530,000

IFA

Cambodia

 

30,000

 

Ecuador

 

30,000

 

Eritrea

 

30,000

 

Mali

 

30,000

 

Tanzania

 

30,000

Canadian NGO

Ecuador

 

334,932

Total

 

13,239,384

80,162,204

* US$ 1 million for each of the countries: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Ghana, Guinea, Malawi, Mauritania, Mozambique and Tanzania.



4 (FAO, 1998)

5(ECE/FAO Timber Bulletin, Forest Products Annual Market Review, 1998-99)

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