Francisco J. Proenza: Telecenter sustainability – Myths and opportunities
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Andrew W. Shepherd: Bringing Market Information to Farmers
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This book is based on a workshop held at FAO Headquarters in Rome from 4 to 7 December 2001 entitled Farm Household Information Systems. Until the final publication is ready, the original workshop background papers are available here Farm Household Information System Workshop.

For further information, contact the book editors: John Dixon and Horst Wattenbach


Family Farm Development in Central and Eastern Europe

After the decades of enforced collectivisation and marginalisation, family farming is becoming a dominant farming structure throughout most Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. Pre-transition agriculture was characterised by a dual production structure, with small-scale individual and subsistence farming based on small gardens and plots co-existing with very large collective and state farms. Small household plots have served as a starting point in the development of family farms after privatisation and distribution of state and collective land. A large number of family farms are subsistence-farms for which income generated from agriculture is only a share of household income. Most family farms are so-called "mixed farms", i.e. farm income is not the sole source of income for the household. Additional income for the household is earned by family members in other activities outside of agriculture, which is nevertheless still the main source of income for the farm household.

More then ten years after the beginning of transition, most countries seem firmly dominated by individual ownership of farm assets and land. However, in some countries some of the so-called new structures have remained close to the state and collective ownership structure of the pre-reform situation and a clear break away from the state-controlled system is not always visible. Non-family farm types like co-operatives and companies family farming like in all countries in Western Europe might be one important alternative type of production in CEEC. As an outcome of the privatisation and de-collectivisation a handful of different type of ownership emerged in the agricultural sector: private and/or state companies, co-operatives, family farms and household plots.

The Czech Republic, Slovakia, and most FSU countries with the exception of Armenia and the Baltic States have shown a limited structural shift towards individual farming. Agrarian structures are still dominated by the large-scale successors of the former state and collective farms. Countries like Albania, Armenia and Latvia have experienced a massive break-up of their collective farms, resulting in a domination of individual farms.

Productive and economic performance of the agricultural sector in both groups of countries has been deteriorating, primarily due to structural changes, sector-specific factors, a response to adverse macroeconomic conditions and other specific policies. Despite poor results of the agricultural sector as a whole, and of family farms in particular, the process of individualisation seems to be increasingly accepted by policy makers. In many countries family farming has become the only income earning opportunity.

On farm level, inadequate human capital appears to be the main constraint in increasing productivity and efficiency. Education and the age of the household members in many cases are not sufficient and appropriate to adopt new technologies and management concepts. In many CEE countries new family farmers have emerged out of the category of ex large state farms employees, and consequently have no or very little experience in individual farming. Improved business and financial management skills, farmer advisory services and improved information services, the development of farmers' interest groups and arrangements, as well as comprehensive policies and guidelines, are needed for more efficient family farm development in CEE. There is a need for further adjustment to the changing economic environment to increase efficiency and competitiveness to sustain farm family livelihoods.

For further information contact: Stjepan Tanic


Socio Economic Development of Oncho Freed Zones in West Africa

An estimated 25 million hectares of land in West Africa has been freed of the threat of Onchocerciasis, or river blindness. For decades, Onchocerciasis was a major public health problem in West Africa, causing blindness and general debilitation. Because river blindness led to the abandonment and under-utilisation of fertile riverside areas, Onchocerciasis also constituted a serious obstacle to agricultural production, food security and socio-economic development in West Africa. Although the health aspects of Onchocerciasis have been addressed through the Onchocerciasis Control Programme, there remain severe constraints on socio-economic development of the areas freed of river blindness. FAO believes that the Onchocerciasis-freed zones require special attention and regional concerted action, because:

• Because of its natural potential for settlement and development, the 25 million hectares of fertile land liberated from river blindness in West Africa could provide food security and sustainable livelihoods for as many as 20 million people.
• Ever since some river valleys were liberated from Onchocerciasis, as early as the mid-1970s, farmers have been settling, resettling, and cultivating this land in large numbers. In many places, this has taken place in a disorderly manner, resulting in overgrazing, deforestation, erosion and deterioration of the resource base. This is particularly a problem in the Sahelian countries.
• At the other extreme, much of the OFZs - particularly in the coastal countries - remain relatively idle and undeveloped. Despite past developmental efforts to mobilise support for socio-economic development under the OCP, there remain inadequate support systems and services, and socio-economic infrastructure as is needed for sustainable development - driven by the local populations in the context of privatization, commercialization and liberalization.
• Over the past 30 years there have been repeated attempts to support development in the OFZs and still are diverse area-based pilot development projects. These projects certainly have contributed to socio-economic development of the OFZs but there continue to be areas that remain underdeveloped and isolated. More importantly, there has been insufficient progress in building the public and private institutions, policy and socio-economic infrastructure that, together, create an enabling environment for self-reliant and sustainable development driven by the people living in the OFZs.
• Economic development in West Africa has lagged over the past 20 years, and food security remains precarious. Governments lack resources and developmental assistance flows have fallen dramatically - yet there is a need to accelerate development. Accelerating socio-economic development of the OFZs is urgent because the region and individual countries need a stronger basis for achieving national and household food security, enhancing rural livelihoods, and competing effectively in the liberalised global order.

• support the continuing, effective partnership of the OCP countries, the OCP co-sponsoring agencies, plus donor countries and NGOs;
• ensure mobilisation of international, national and local resources for socio-economic development;
• focus on transnational issues and local development issues which will benefit most from regional collaboration and concerted action;
• strengthen capacity of regional, national and local institutions for supporting development in the OFA;
• actively involve and rely on empowered farmer and community organisations.

• Establishment of an institutional framework. This requires steps to build partnerships and develop governance and co-ordination mechanisms at regional and national levels, as well as the critical task of resource mobilisation.
• Development and strengthening of data and information systems. This includes training and financial support to reinforce regional and country capacity to collect, analyse and distribute information about the natural resources and socio-economic situations in these areas.
• Development of transnational programmes. This requires the development of specific programmes that address transnational resources and issues and strengthening of co-ordination among countries.
• Strengthening of agricultural support systems. This requires clarifying roles and responsibilities for provision of services, including by the private sector and civil society organizations. Attention also will be given to developing sound investment programmes for building essential socio-economic infrastructure.
• Capacity-building for community self-help action. This requires training and guidelines that will assist local communities in designing self-help action. It also requires technical and financial support for the development of matching grants programmes, which can contribute small amounts of funds to assist communities in carrying out their plans.

• Establishing an institutional framework and partnership arrangements.
• Developing start up action plans for the key entry points identified above for the launching phase of the SED.
• Reinforcing information flows in support of decision making.