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IV. Contents on Food Security (Fact-sheets & report from Tehnical Sessions)


This Workshop on Rural Radio and Food Security was a capacity-building exercise which provided a superb platform for stakeholders, to meet and to share experiences related to food security and rural radio.

The concept of food security is a complex phenomenon which combines a wide-spectrum of variables, which within FAO are organized in terms of technical divisions. Each of these divisions are actively involved in playing their part - within the mandate of the Organization- in the concerted fight against hunger and under-development, in order to achieve global food security.

The complexity of food security is better illustrated in the diagram which the reader will find later in the report on a presentation facilitated by Madam Geneviève Coullet of food security service. For pedagogical reasons, we prefer the modular approach illustrated below:

Proposed module for contents related to food security

In order to gain in-depth information on the variables involved in the issue of food security, on Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th of November 2001, the radio broadcasters met with FAO technical experts and discussed the following topics:

Eleven technical sessions of one hour and a half each were organized.

The reader will find here below the report of these sessions.

1. Agricultural Marketing

The session was conducted by the head of Marketing and Rural Finance Services (AGSA), Andrew Shepherd.

He said the department encourages and is involved in marketing extension for agricultural products. The service prepares training guides, which can be used by the extension workers. When adapted, these guides can be used by the rural radio broadcasters.

Mr. Shepherd gave the participants some contacts of people in their home countries who are involved in agricultural marketing and who would be helpful in providing information on the same:

Mali: Niamey Nango Dembele

MSU Programme APCAM

the United Republic of Tanzania: Jonathan Mdadlia

Marketing Development Bureau of

Ministry of cooperatives & Marketing

South Africa: Ms Lulu Ntshephe

National Dept. of Agriculture

the Niger: no contact.

He suggested to the broadcasters that they:

i. Could collect and broadcast in their stations market price information from local markets,

ii. Should maintain contact with national agricultural market price body and be receiving regular market information from them, by means of fax, E-mail, etc.

iii. Work with local extension officers to develop suitable advisory programmes on market prices for their audiences.

Mr. Shepherd expressed his pessimism on the validity of farmers’ cooperatives in Africa. He cited a country like Tanzania where cooperatives became ineffective. However, two participants from East Africa were of the opinion that in stable economies, cooperative movements would be the better option for farmers, even in terms of pricing. Kenya is a typical example.

2. Agrometeorology

René Gommes and Michele Bernardi, from the Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN) of FAO, answered questions posed by Workshop participants on agro-meteorology.

At the beginning of the session, René Gommes and Michele Bernardi illustrated the mission of the agro-meteorology service:

The importance of follow-up and forecasting of harvests for food security was underscored.

It was also pointed out that for the first time, science is allowing us to forecast weather six months ahead of time. Such information may be used directly in the field, since it makes it possible to advise farmers on very specific and practical questions like: when should they plant? What type of crops should they plant? For example, if the farmer knows that the season will be rainy, he will grow corn or rice. On the contrary, if a dry season is expected, he will instead opt for cassava.

This was followed by an exchange of questions and answers.

The first question of radio broadcasters concerned the El Niño and La Niña phenomena. The Agro-meteorologists explained clearly what they are all about.

The second question was “Why is it that in the Sahel, and especially Senegal, the seasons have changed so much that winter practically no longer exists, it is shorter and shorter and it comes increasingly later in the year?”. The technical experts explained that climatic change is not a new phenomenon, but that it has existed for thousands of years. As far back as in Roman literature, one can find writings on climate changes that occurred 2000 years ago.

Another question posed by a participant from Senegal was about the possible influence of volcanoes on such climate changes. To answer the question, René Gommes and Michele Bernardi explained how volcanic eruptions indeed does have a more or less long-term influence on climate, they went on to indicate other factors also as causes of such variability.

The next question concerned global warming and FAO’s position vis-à-vis the Kyoto accords.

In addition to this sort of questions, which stemmed from the participants’ “intellectual curiosity” to understand scientific phenomena, radio broadcasters focused the discussion on the availability of practical information and advice to farmers. They confirmed that information is of fundamental importance, it exists within FAO, FAO claims to pass it on to the governments of the various nations, but they think that such information is not relayed or disseminated by such governments or national authorities to local communities and farmers.

A discussion then followed on FAO’s mission. It is not FAO’s mission, or generally speaking, it is not the mission of an international agency to disseminate information at a local level. At times, even the legislation prevents it from doing so: “National meteorology services have a monopoly over information, and consequently, that does not allow us to take their place”.

“Even though that is true”, a woman radio broadcaster replied, “FAO’s mission is to guarantee food security. Now, the information available at FAO is of fundamental importance to farmers and may contribute to food security.”

FAO experts replied that they are very much aware of this, and try to contribute to the circulation of information in the area of agro-meteorology. Mention was made of FAO’s field programmes such as:

The Agro-meteorologists also recalled regional initiatives carried out in the African continent, such as:

Conclusion/Recommendation

In conclusion, the radio broadcasters and the agro-meteorologists agreed on the importance of rural radio. Radio may play a key role to inform local populations about agro-meteorological factors and help farmers in decision making.

Nancy Bennett, from the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN), said she had written radio scripts to explain the El Niño phenomenon to Filipino populations. This initiative proved to be successful, because the theme responded to the questions and concerns of the population, as El Niño has greatly developed in such regions and radio is very popular there.

Information is available here within FAO. Often, it is information that may be directly used by farmers; it consists of advice on crops and harvests. “It is up to you, radio broadcasters, to disseminate such information”.

3. Biodiversity and Genetic Resources

Mr. José Esquinas-Alcázar, the Secretary of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Agriculture and Food (AGD) of FAO, answered radio broadcasters’ questions.

In his introduction, José Esquinas-Alcázar recalled how important it is to preserve biodiversity, that is, a large variety of species, which will provide humankind with food.

This biodiversity is now under threat. While for thousands of years, man cultivated and based his diet on nearly ten thousand different species; today he cultivates no more than about 150. Of these, four plants - corn, wheat, potatoes and rice - alone currently meet 60 percent of man’s calorie intake requirements.

For cultural reasons, wheat has become a universal symbol since the formula “give us our daily bread”, to FAO’s logo “Fiat Panis”. However, the crops that develop so well in Europe or in the United States are not necessarily adapted to the agricultural and climatic conditions in Africa or Latin America.

Furthermore, the reduction of biodiversity is a risk factor. Let us refer to the example of the potato. The potato, a crop that was imported from America, was introduced in Europe and became the basic foodstuff in Ireland, where it was grown only in one form. When this crop was attacked by a disease in the 19th century, all the fields were devastated and a famine shook Europe and especially Ireland, where it claimed the life of 2 million people. Subsequently, research in Latin America made it possible to identify species traditionally grown by the farmers in the Andes, which were resistant to the fungus that was ravaging Europe. In this way, the potato deficiency was solved and the rebirth of agriculture took place.

The example is interesting because of the lessons that we may learn from it, namely:

In summary, biodiversity and genetic resources are crucial to the survival of humankind. Losses have been severe, and today cooperation is a must.

INTERNATIONAL TREATY ON PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Agriculture and Food, which was recently signed, was the most significant event and the greatest success of the FAO Conference. Its almost unanimous signature is the successful result of 23 years of efforts and negotiations. It is a treaty of peace and justice, which aims at combating poverty and famine, and is rightly called the first treaty of the century.

The three main goals of the treaty are as follows:

Questions - Answers Session

A radio broadcaster from Mali wondered about the next steps and FAO’s role in the ratification of the treaty. José Esquinas-Alcázar answered that FAO has done its job as an intergovernmental organization by facilitating international cooperation, negotiations between countries and the signing of the treaty. It will now be up to the various States to have the treaty ratified. Of course, FAO’s legal department may provide its technical assistance. Moreover, FAO has already developed a consensus plan of action to help countries define their priorities and obtain the necessary funds, by involving people in the field.

Second question. Another radio broadcaster asked what is the link between biodiversity and food security. The answer is two-fold.

1. José Esquinas-Alcázar explained that ensuring food security to a growing population requires always growing more, on a cultivable space, which is not necessarily extensible. There are thus two possibilities: either one uses chemical products more, with the risks that such a greater use entails, or each country chooses species that better adapt to their agricultural and climatic conditions. However, diversity is necessary in order for a choice to be possible. In this case, therefore, choice is equal to diversity.

2. Another element of the answer is that, to preserve biodiversity means being prudent, in order to minimize the risk of dependence and vulnerability.

Another broadcaster asked: Does the preservation and enhancement of biodiversity also entail the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which is a much more controversial subject?

No, answered the Secretary of the Commission on Genetic Resources, here we are only talking about preserving and developing traditional crops. However, objectively speaking, to create a transgenic organism, genes must be used, the very genetic resources that we have been discussing this far.

The following question by the Director of the Developing Countries Farm Radio Network (DCFRN) was “Is it realistic for the farmers’ right to be preserved and protected in a world which is becoming more and more global and increasingly driven by financial interests?”

José Esquinas-Alcázar explained that the international treaty that was just signed precisely aims to protect this right of farmers. It is up to the sovereign states themselves to ratify this treaty and to make sure that it is applied in their countries. An international control mechanism has been envisaged, as a result of which the countries that do not protect this farmers’ right will have to provide reasons for not doing so, to the international agencies.

In conclusion and at the end of the session, a copy of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Agriculture and Food was distributed.

4. Fisheries

The technical session on fisheries was conducted by Richard Coutts of the Fishery Policy and Planning Division (FIPL) of FAO.

In his introduction, Richard Coutts presented the FAO programme, which he coordinates. The programme is aimed at ensuring community livelihoods in fishing. The programme is being carried out in 25 West African countries, where over 5 million men and women live on fishing and aquatic resources.

Richard Coutts noted that fishing communities are often faced with poverty and vulnerability.

He also pointed out that aquatic resources have been overexploited. Short-term “production” which responds to immediate nutritional requirements does not foster the sustainability of resources and thus of livelihoods for communities. A parallel was also drawn between fishing and forestry:

As a result of the poverty among fishing communities and the overexploitation of resources, conflicts have multiplied:

In the face of such threats, FAO has launched a fishing livelihoods programme. It aims at fostering communication between communities and local governments and the respect of the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing Practices.

Richard Coutts then went on to describe the structure of the programme, which is based on:

Since its creation in October 1999, the programme has supported 20 joint projects undertaken by fishing communities.

The programme is not focused on techniques or technologies, but on the communities themselves, men and women, their needs and their resources. The structure allows each country and community to own the projects, to decide on initiatives wherever they are needed, and to formulate their needs.

As a result of this programme:

Another characteristic of the fishing livelihoods programme, is the organization of exchanges between the communities and countries. Fairs and markets have thus been organized, where each individual exposes and presents their local products made from fish and aquatic resources. It is generally the women who participate in such fairs and markets.

Another initiative carried out within the framework of the programme is the training of communities in conflict resolution.

At the end of the session, participants were provided with the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fishing as well as the list of contacts in the Niger, the United Republic of Tanzania, Mali and South Africa, the countries of origin of the radio broadcasters who attended the session.

In conclusion, Richard Coutts invited radio broadcasters to participate in one of the meetings, fairs or events organized by the fishing livelihoods programme, so that they may learn more about the programme and contribute to disseminating the information locally.

5. Food Security

The session was conducted by Genevieve Coullet of the Food Security & Agricultural Projects Analysis Service of FAO.

When we talk of food security, four basic concepts of the 1996 World Food Summit are implied. That is: “Food security exists when all human beings have, at all times, physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and their food preferences, so that they may lead a healthy and active life.”

This means that there must be at a national level, sufficient availability of basic foodstuffs through local production or import. Secondly, there should be stability of such supplies in time and space, and not just in isolated areas or periodically. Thirdly, the entire population must be able to have both physical and financial access to such supplies. Lastly, such foods must constitute a balanced diet. These four concepts are complementary and interactive.

It is a grave moral issue in food security, that the world has enough foodstuffs for all, but the most undernourished have little or no access to them, as a result of poverty.

FAO PROGRAMMES

To ensure food security, it is not only the government to act. It requires the cooperation of NGOs, research institutes, donors and even international community. Financial institutions, donors and governments need to invest in rural areas as well, in terms of infrastructure, communications, agriculture, and rural food industries.

Governments need to define the struggle for food security as a national priority within the framework of the struggle against poverty. This is because when someone is poor, then he cannot afford to buy the food he needs. The root of under-nourishment and malnutrition is poverty.

The presenter then went on to explain how food security and early warning information system co-ordinate. She said, in countries listed as Low Deficit Food Countries, there should be a National Food Security Committee (NFSC) consisting of agriculturalists, economists, nutritionists, etc. who are policy makers on indicators of food security. Under them are the Provincial Food Security Committees (PFSCs) who are for a limited geographical area of the country. In the provincial committees, the representatives should include 4 areas; extension officers, statisticians, educators, health workers, etc. Ms Coullet mentioned a country like Chad where this is already being carried out.

What would be the role of rural radio in food security? Rural radio could be used in monitoring market information, since this information is crucial for traders and producers. The radio texts have to be very clear, short and be broadcasted at times convenient to the target audience.

6. Forestry

In attendance were El Hadji Sene, the Forest Resources Director, Francesca Romano, Christine Holding (Forestry Extension), Laura Romeo and Patricia Baeza (UN International Year of Mountains), as well as the Workshop participants.

By way of introduction, the Director referred to the mission of the forestry department, which is to foster a sustainable management of forests and to conserve fragile ecosystems (mountains, dry lands, wetlands, etc.). In pursuit of this, the division has two objectives:

1. Fostering awareness of the relationship between forestry and food security

2. Promoting sustainable utilization of food from the forests and their contribution to food security.

To this end, the forestry department carries out the following activities: Gathering and sharing of information, exchange of technologies, and training of human resources.

The department cooperates with institutions already present in the field and with research centres. Main areas of activity include evaluation of forests (how they increase and shrink), desertification, creation of artificial forests, support of trees-outside-forest plantations, agro-forestry systems, control of soil erosion, development of watersheds, natural parks and conservation of trees species.

For instance, it is important to guarantee the presence of trees also outside forests and to integrate them within the ecosystems, for they protect crops from wind or soil erosion. Equally, they may serve as regulators of rainfall or fertilise soils. Finally, farmers who plant a tree in their field will be able to benefit from its resources to feed themselves, keep themselves warm and cure themselves with medicinal plants, thus avoiding any conflict with other farmers over the ownership of resources. The management of trees outside forests is an important topic, which will be discussed at a Workshop to be organized by FAO very soon.

This introduction was followed by a series of questions and answers and exchanges between radio broadcasters concerned about the fate of their region, the Sahel, and FAO experts.

A participant from the Sahel asked what FAO is doing to control the advance of the Sahara desert, and deforestation in general. In response, Mr. Sene said that at the local level, a lot is being done. Many NGOs have become involved, and this implies farmers’ involvement as well. He, however, lamented that at the international level, not much has been done. But the solution is not to wait for outside help, but to start doing something at the local level. The Sahel farmers should not wait for rainy season in order to plant their seeds, but should plant drought resistant crops like cassava during the dry season as well.

Each year we lose 9.4 million hectares of forests, mainly between Africa, Asia and South America. On deforestation, Mr. Sene said whereas in the developed world the practice has stopped, the trend continues in the developing world due to a number of reasons like political instability, the lack of a political vision and actions, population growth and economic as well as urban factors responsible for bush fires and lumbering.

There is always a dilemma in that to fight hunger, land must be cleared so it can be planted. To clear land in many instances involves cutting down trees and vegetation.

In response to this apparent dilemma, Mr. Sene referred to agro-forestry, which enables populations to grow and gather forest foods, without pillaging or threatening forests, by relying on crop diversification, for example.

A radio broadcaster from Mali then took up Mr. Sene’s remarks about the link between forestry and food security, and about forests being able to offer food resources, and expressed an even greater concern for the future of a region like the Sahel.

Mr. Sene replied that one should not feel discouraged. There are writings which describe forests that were destroyed in the Middle Ages in regions where they prosper today, as in Switzerland, France or Germany. The important thing is not to give up but rather to increase the awareness, mobilize, train, inform and to foster the vision of politicians, planning, strategies, policies and new planning for development.

This is FAO’s engagement vis-à-vis its different partners in numerous forestry programmes. Any government may benefit from the support of the Forestry Department. All it has to do is to seek it.

The other privileged partners, non-governmental organizations, are involving local communities in forestry law, so that they are able to protect their forests from the threats of other, even local dignitaries.

Finally, putting an end to deforestation and desertification also implies multiplying small initiatives, having patience and perseverance, not waiting for a miracle from the outside world, but doing something personally every day and on a local basis. Let us not forget that for centuries, people have walked in the woods, while sowing, and that today’s forests and trees are also the fruit of those walks.

Before the conclusion of the session, Laura Romeo and Patricia Baeza briefly illustrated to the participants the International Year of Mountains (IYM), an event organized by the United Nations for 2002. Mountains are fragile ecosystems, which play an important role on the planet. They are true “water towers”, and the depositories of a rich biodiversity. In the course of 2002, it will be especially recalled that mountain resources, and water in the first place, should not only benefit populations that live in plains, but also mountain communities.

Throughout the session, especially the participants from the Sahel (the Niger and Mali), proved to be highly sensitive to the issues of deforestation and desertification. They know how important it is to inform, raise the awareness of and mobilize local populations, and how important their mission is as radio broadcasters. It is now up to them to pass on the message of this technical session in the various local languages, to raise the awareness of and mobilize their communities.

7. Global Information & Early Warning System (GIEWS)

Stéphane Jost started by saying the goal of Global Information & Early Warning System of FAO (GEIWS) is to provide policy makers and analysts with updated and accurate information on all aspects of food supply and demand. This requires collaboration with other world bodies involved in the weather research and information. The department supplies not just information on production and markets of food crops, but also issues warnings when food crises are imminent. This allows for prior, coordinated planning and action.

The presenter then explained how the El Nino and La Nina affect the global weather pattern, thus affecting agricultural activities leading to food shortages. The weather pattern is parallel at a global level. When there is too much rain on one part of the globe, then there will be less on the other part. This is because rain depends on solar energy, which is always constant. Thanks to our present insights on El Nino and La Nina phenomenon, we are now able to forecast that this season will be dry or wet.

Because of its nature, GIEWS is linked with a number of other FAO units, such as Agrometeorology, ECLO, and even with WFP. GIEWS has classified some countries (about 80) as “Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries” (LIFDCs). Food situation is closely monitored in these countries, since they are often vulnerable to supply fluctuations.

Need was expressed for national bodies on Early Warning System that would be like an intermediary between link between FAO’s GIEWS and farmers at the local level. Michel from AMARC Africa expressed concern that these bodies - where they exist - are usually in the capital cities, thus far removed from the rural farmers. This is a communication issue. A possible solution would be an agreement between FAO and AMARC like the one soon to be signed, since FAO has the technical information capability where as AMARC has the grass-root contact which can process the content in local languages.

It is important to train broadcasters in order to enable them transmit better the technical data. Radio scripts are important in sharing and distributing the information. A practical example where radio script developed with FAO collaboration has been effective was in 1991-92 in Chad. Farmers have traditionally cleared their land for ploughing by lighting fires. In order to halt the desert advance, the Chadian Ministry of Tourism and Environment decided to launch a campaign against bush-fires. A participatory approach was chosen through the advice of the Technical Cooperation Programme of FAO. Using slides and audiocassettes supported by radio broadcasts, villagers were encouraged to voice their opinions and propose solutions to the problem. The result - forest fires reduced by 90 percent after one year!

8. Nutrition

This session was conducted by William Clay, the Chief of Nutrition Programmes Service (ESNP).

Mr. Clay started by saying that within FAO nutrition is an important topic because FAO was founded principally to raise the level of feeding and nutrition. Nutrition has many facets, e.g. quality of food, availability, transport (movement of food to areas of need), environmental sanitation, etc.

What can be done about nutrition depends on what nutritional problem it is. Nutrition is thus an outcome of a development process. We need to invest on people, their welfare and on their nutritional needs. The food we eat is important. Malnourished people are unproductive. They cannot learn, work, nor think well. Most nutritional problem is basically iron-deficiency for the formation of the red blood cells. Malnutrition is normally not the lack of food, but the lack of a balanced diet.

Another major nutritional problem in the developing world is the iodine-deficiency. It results to goitre (a swelling of the neck) and mental retardation. When the brain doesn’t get enough of iodine during its formative stage in the baby, it cannot be rectified at a later stage. When we use iodized salt, the problem can be eliminated.

Then there is another common nutritional problem of the “chicken eyes” as a result of lack of vitamin A. It causes a slow childhood blindness. Other widespread nutritional problems are scurvy, zinc deficiency, selenium, beriberi, pellagra, rickets, etc. It is a sad fact that in many developing countries, as many as 50 percent of the total population is affected by such deficiencies.

Some participants pointed out that some cultural beliefs in Africa are responsible for malnutrition. In many cultures in Africa, within the family household, the members eat from a common plate. This is disadvantageous to the infants whose hands are still small and slow. In the end, the older members of the household leave the ‘table’ having consumed more than the younger sibling.

Radio broadcasters should make known to their audience the existence of the Codex Alimentaris. It is sad that many people still do not know of this important document. It is the task of the broadcasters to sensitize their audience on this document. The broadcasters themselves should be part of the group at the national level that promotes the Nutritional Plan of Action that FAO helped to formulate.

Rural radio broadcasters could also develop programmes on food composition and nutritional requirements. This would highlight a balanced diet based on locally available foodstuffs. It should also include food quality and food safety. In many parts of Africa, it is a taboo for pregnant women and during the weaning period to eat some kinds of food (like eggs, chicken gizzard etc.). It is often said that eating these foodstuffs make the baby be slow in talking or something of that kind.

Mr. Clay emphasized that breast-feeding is very essential to the child, and the weaning period is crucial. When the kid begins to eat a more solid food, a balanced diet must be utilized immediately. He said that his programme has a project at some national level to analyze and assess the nutritional value of the local dishes.

If the current rate of meeting the nutritional needs and food demands continue, more than 600 million people will still be undernourished and food insecure in the first quarter of the new millennium.

9. Post-Harvest Management

The session was guided by Francois Mazaud of Post Harvest Management Service (AGSI).

Francois Mazaud handed out information pamphlets in French to the participants and the Service information CD-ROM, Information “Network on Post-harvest Operations 2/2000”. Mazaud pointed out that the Service carries out its work on 3 levels.

Normative activities: Information gathering, developing of methodology and tools for helping in decisions making.

Field activities: Improving traditional technologies, transferring of technologies. This involves personal contacts with the farmers in the fields e.g. manufacturing of metal silos for agricultural use, as in Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mozambique, and Mauritania.

Research: Improving technologies and new products. Research is also conducted on the possible consequences of new pesticides on plants and harvests. FAO is the only UN agency with filtration capacity to store coconut liquid, thus solving its perennial-bottling problem.

Mazaud described post harvest sector as “from field to plate.” It begins from the field level, to transport, clean storage, processing, delivery, distribution, and finally consumption. The service works in conjunction with GTZ (a German development Agency) and CIRAD. The service has created a database on traditional food storage facilities, beginning in Africa, and would extend eventually to other continents as well.

Mazaud stressed that in post-harvest, it is not useful to talk of losses (because such a conception only takes into consideration physical losses, thus neglecting qualitative losses), but rather how to improve the whole process of food chain.

He said certain traditional food storage methods could still be utilized, or improved for modern usage. He gave an example of Zimbabwe where this is the case. But he was quick to add that some traditional food storage methods made use of products that are presently scarce or detrimental to the environmental ecosystem such as cutting down of trees to build granaries.

Francois Mazaud copiously made use of visual aids to illustrate various issues in his presentation.

10. Special Programme on Food Security (SPFS)

After formal introduction of all participants, Ms. Belli went on to describe the work she is doing in the department, i.e. that of designing web page on the SPFS as well as managing database. Mr. Hiemstra then started his presentation by saying that the background for food insecurity is poverty: 1/5 of total world population survives on less than 1 US dollar a day. In 1996 World Food Summit, a goal of cutting by half the number of undernourished people by 2015 was set.

The summit also underlined that food security exists when all people, all the times have access to sufficient and nutritious food, that enables them to leave a healthy life.

In order to respond to this situation, FAO established in 1994 the Special Programme for Food Security. Its main objective is to improve food production and its distribution. Under SPFS, there are countries classified as the Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries, (LIFDCs), now numbering 78 (Iran refused to be classified hereunder). The categorization is done by FAO in conjunction with the World Bank, taking into account number of factors. Most of these countries are in the developing world, majority in Africa.

Implementation

This takes place in 2 phases. Phase I has 4 components: Water control, intensification of plant production systems, diversification of production systems, and analysis of constraints to food security.

Phase II: So far, there’s no LIFDC country that has moved to the second phase.

As a programme, SPFS involves partnerships that are bilateral, multilateral, national governments, NGOs, etc.

Japan, for example, gives fund through her ministry of Agriculture to assist the programme in the Niger, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Lao Par, and Sri Lanka. Apart from funding, she sends her agricultural experts there as well.

Normally, when a country requests for SPFS involvement, FAO sends there experts, then a plan of operation is drawn up. Initial donor contribution follows to enable the project kick off.

South/South cooperation

Under the SPFS programme, some countries of the LIFDCs, which are better off, send out experts to countries that are worse off, in order to boost their food security projects. Yeb Hiemstra revealed that soon FAO will move to South Africa at the government’s invitation to act as fund custodian.

He asked the participants how and whether the participants would utilize the inputs in their work back home in Africa. A participant from South Africa replied that it would be helpful for him in South Africa, for example, where SPFS is moving in soon, in order to create awareness and inform.

For AMARC, radios under AMARC partnership are going to stress food security in their programmes. AMARC will train their personnel in this task.

Yeb Hiemstra: Within FAO, there’s currently a plan to establish inter-departmental working groups based on services (e.g. Communication), who would meet regularly to compare notes and ideas with other groups, both in and out of FAO. It would be kind of inter-departmental discussions. (SDRE is currently doing the same with AMARC and other similar bodies).

11. The World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT)

This session was facilitated by Stephen Rudgard and Bokary Guindo of WAICENT.

Rudgard made the first presentation, in which he introduced WAICENT to the participants. He said WAICENT is FAO’s initiative of fighting hunger through information management and dissemination. As such, it is a strategic programme for improving access to essential documents, statistics, maps and multimedia resources to millions of users around the globe.

WAICENT attempts to organize and link vital information on agriculture in order to facilitate easier access. By entering through WAICENT Information Finder, which is an online search tool, the user is able to navigate through WAICENT according to several criteria. This Information Finder is a key tool for managing and disseminating FAO’s information.

Rudgard pointed out that WAICENT is not an information-gathering centre, or a department within FAO that puts together all information. In deed, every division within FAO actually feeds its information by itself on the website. WAICENT website is still new, having been inaugurated during the recent World Food Day on 16th. October 2001.

At this point, Stephen Rudgard passed over the presentation to Bokary Guindo, a colleague who also works at WAICENT.

Mr. Guindo talked about the WAICENT’s portal and showed the participants how to navigate under WAICENT within the FAO homepage. The WAICENT Internet Portal makes FAO’s Information Center one of the world’s most comprehensive sources of information; giving access to the accumulated knowledge and expertise of FAO, improving the capacities of decision-makers, professionals and the public-at-large; to access and use information essential for achieving sustainable agricultural development.

Within WAICENT, there is an Outreach Programme, which works closely with some FAO member countries and the international community associated with agro-development and food security. Under this programme, FAO’s WAICENT provides technical advice and support to strengthen information management capacities through effective use of information and communication technologies.

WAICENT also coordinates a Consultation on Agricultural Information Management, COAIM. This is an intergovernmental process for FAO’s member countries to discuss and set policies related to management of, and access to agro-information.

Since the Internet may not be widely available or easily accessible in many FAO member countries, WAICENT’s specialised information systems are also available on CD-ROMS, such as FAOSTAT, AGRIS, CARIS, Gender & Food security, etc. Radio broadcasters without access to FAO website, or the internet in general, should get in touch with the FAO representatives in their countries, in order to have this done for them, printed and may be sent to them by post or any other means. This would be on those areas or issues useful to them in their broadcasts.

At the close of the session, Mr. Bokary gave the participants a list of sites within FAO/WAICENT website, which may be helpful to the radio broadcasters.

ABOUT WAICENT

ABOUT FAO

QUESTIONS TO: Mr Bokary Guindo, WAICENT, + 39 06 57052952; Email: [email protected]

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