MAJOR PROGRAMME 2.2: FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
POLICY AND DEVELOPMENT

77. This major programme is implemented by the ES Department and associated regional teams together with the GIL Division. Resources are distributed fairly evenly between the four substantive programmes, which address, to varying degrees, each of the five Corporate Strategies. Given the scope of work, the principal contributions are to Strategies A, B and E.

78. In addressing the mid-term planning horizon, the overarching issue has been the insufficient speed of progress in combating hunger and malnutrition and in achieving the World Food Summit's target of reducing the number of chronically undernourished by one-half by 2015. The following highlights of programmatic intentions can be given:

1. Raising awareness of the benefits of combating hunger and improving malnutrition and clearly identifying priority action areas. A comprehensive set of activities is envisaged for the scheduled mid-term review of the World Food Summit Plan of Action in 2006, consisting of studies and reports, which will aim at improving the empirical measurement of food insecurity, understanding the benefits of hunger alleviation ("the cost of hunger"), and explaining the ways in which policies can, and should be, redirected to accelerate progress. This will be mainly in support of Strategic Objectives A2 and E3.
2. Sustainable improvement in nutritional well-being. A number of activities that address problems of household food insecurity and the various forms of malnutrition will be undertaken in both urban and rural areas. An important focus is the empowerment of communities, families and individuals, with appropriate support from the various governmental levels and civil society institutions. Activities include capacity-building and policy and programme guidance in planning, training and public information and education towards dietary improvement and nutritional well-being especially among women and children. This will be mainly in support of Strategic Objective A2.
3. Identification and targeting of the food insecure. As initial products of the Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System (FIVIMS) are more widely disseminated, additional resources should be allocated to this area, which should also attract extra-budgetary support. In collaboration with FIVIMS partners, work will focus on assistance to countries to better identify, enumerate and locate the food insecure and vulnerable people. Knowing who the hungry and vulnerable are, why they are poor and undernourished and where they are to be found, should enable better targeting of policies, including policies to address the particular nutritional needs of poor and vulnerable people. High priority will also be given to global and regional reporting. To this effect, it is intended to publish the State of Food Insecurity in the World (SOFI) as a highly visible annual document. This work is in direct support of Strategic Objective A2.
4. Improving preparedness and response to food emergencies. Given the rising trend in the share of man-made food emergencies, and the growing number of people affected by all types of food emergencies, higher priority is given to work in early warning, nutrition assistance in emergency situations, and improved preparedness through sustainable food security policies. This is consonant with Strategic Objectives A2 and A3.
5. Promoting food safety and consumer protection. Increasing awareness of food safety and concern about the high levels of food-borne diseases in many parts of the world are prompting an intensified effort to promote food safety, as an essential element of food quality. Improvement and international harmonisation of risk analysis (assessment, management and communication) and information about incidents of food safety hazards, will be given added priority in support of Strategic Objectives A2, B1 and B2. In close cooperation with WHO, the promotion of food safety will be enhanced at national and international levels. Particular emphasis will be given to risk analysis of foods derived from biotechnologies; to microbiological contaminants; and to the establishment of a Food Safety Rapid Alert and Crisis Management System.
6. Facilitating integration of developing countries in international markets. The increasingly complex and rapidly changing international trade environment requires a fitting response from FAO, especially to assist the many developing countries seeking assistance to improve their agricultural performance through improved domestic and trade policies. They need to participate as well-informed and equal partners in multilateral trade negotiations on agriculture as well as implement trade agreements thereby making full use of the resultant opportunities. Besides support to effective international policy formulation, strengthening of related training and information activities will respond to Strategic Objectives B1 and B2.
7. Improving quality and coverage of statistical data. Coupled with improved access to FAO data by electronic means, quality improvement of statistical data has become a high priority, in direct support of Strategy E. Extra efforts will also be made to broaden the coverage of the statistical data, i.e. statistics on agricultural investment, agricultural incomes and assets and their distribution, the role of women and the changes of agrarian structures over time, as evidenced by the agricultural censuses.
8. Allowing FAO to play its due role in the present "information revolution". This will include building on the successful achievements of WAICENT as a truly integrated corporate information dissemination programme, continuing to harness the potential of ever-changing information and communication technologies at the service of Member Nations, and further progress in balanced language coverage in the work of FAO. While this falls squarely under Strategy E, it is obviously quite important in the context of the other strategies.

Programme 2.2.1: Nutrition

Code

Type

Title

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

221A1

TP

Human Nutrition Requirements

221A2

TP

Nutrition Improvement for Sustainable Development

221A4

TP

Community Action for Improved Household Food Security and Nutrition

221A5

TP

Food and Nutrition Education, Communications and Training

221A6

TP

Nutrition and Household Food Security in Emergencies

221P1

CP

Food Composition (INFOODS)

221P2

CP

Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme (Codex Alimentarius)

221P5

CP

Food Quality Control and Consumer Protection

221P6

CP

Food Safety Assessment and Rapid Alert System

221P7

CP

Public Information about Nutrition, Food Quality and Safety

221S1

TS

Technical Support Services to Member Nations and the Field Programme

Legend
	Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million	US$ 1.5 million to 3 million	US$ 3 million to 5 million	More than US$ 5 million

Rationale

• Need for regular updating of human nutrition requirements, based on most recent scientific information.
• Based on expert advice, FAO's recommendations - in partnership with WHO - become international standards, to serve a variety of purposes (food security assessments, nutrition interventions formulation, etc.).

Objective

To update regularly human nutrition requirements and to support their wide application.

Major Outputs

1. Expert consultations on nutrition requirements.
2. Publications on nutrition requirements.
3. Manuals and software tools for the evaluation of nutrition requirements.
4. Supportive studies (determination and calculation of energy, protein and vitamin A requirements).

Indicators

• Countries and international organizations adopting the recommendations.
• Citations in scientific and clinical literature.

Rationale

• ICN (International Conference on Nutrition) and WFS (World Food Summit) calls for effective national plans of action for nutrition.
• Achieving the nutritional goals of the WFS and ICN will require implementation of concerted, cross-sectoral strategies, policies and plans specifically aimed at improving nutrition.

Objective

To assist Members address problems of malnutrition in a cross-sectoral manner, giving particular attention to promoting the development and implementation of national plans of action for nutrition.

Major Outputs

1. Assistance in the implementation of national plans of action (including the systematic application of a series of guidelines to support the effective implementation of national plans).
2. Advocacy of nutrition policy and food security to contribute to raising awareness of the inter-sectoral nature of strategies to improve household food security and nutritional status.
3. Strategies to address urban needs (concerning the food security, diet and nutritional problems of poor urban populations).

Indicators

• Progress in the introduction of appropriate nutrition considerations in national sectoral and overall policies and plans (through surveys and contact points).
• Evidence of policy at work (inter-sectoral coordination structures, targeted programmes, etc.).

Rationale

• To achieve sustainable reductions in under-nutrition and other forms of malnutrition, national policies and programmes must be complemented by effective community-based actions.
• These actions must address and remove local causes of malnutrition (e.g. chronic or seasonal shortages, lack of dietary diversity, inadequate feeding practices).
• Member Nations, as well as institutions and communities, require methodological support and technical advice to formulate and implement solutions.

Objective

To foster inter-sectoral, community-based programmes and improve household food security and nutrition.

Major Outputs

1. Methodologies and guidelines (based on FAO's extensive field experience, on the use of participatory approaches and the promotion of local resources for improved consumption and income generation).
2. Training programmes, including tailored materials, on household food security and nutrition interventions (organised in cooperation with regional and national institutions).
3. Networking and information sharing on household food security and community nutrition (active Website, consultations, specific networks).

Indicators

• Uptake of FAO's methodologies.
• Demands for assistance from countries and institutions.

Rationale

• Importance of effective nutrition education as component of food security programmes and combating the rise of diet-related diseases.
• Growing concerns about dietary and food safety issues, which require effective consumer awareness and risk communication.
• Countries need to develop and implement nutrition education and communication initiatives, consistent with local conditions and food habits.

Objective

To build national capacities to implement effective nutrition education and communication activities.

Major Outputs

1. Methodologies and guidelines for strengthening nutrition education in schools (aiming at "nutrition literacy" for good health and general well-being, developed in close cooperation with UN system partners).
2. Training activities and materials (promoting the use of food-based dietary guidelines in pertinent initiatives in countries).

Indicators

• Uptake of FAO's materials (through user surveys).
• Evidence of upgraded capacities through supportive workshops, training courses and meetings on the subject.

Rationale

• Continuing incidence of natural disasters and complex emergencies with significant detrimental effects on food security and nutritional status of affected populations.
• Need to assess this impact and understand coping mechanisms to design relief and rehabilitation programmes; also important for preparedness planning in at-risk areas.
• Vast requirements for assistance and capacity-building in countries.

Objective

To assist all stakeholders concerned to take due account of nutrition aspects in emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation.

Major Outputs

1. Methods and techniques to assist with emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation.
2. Training support (needs assessments, materials).
3. Technical collaboration and coordination of policies and programmes (joint development of codes of conduct, awareness materials, pilot projects and ongoing contacts with partners to promote joint policy formulation and evaluation procedures).

Indicators

• Active involvement in emergency preparedness, response and rehabilitation programmes and measures in affected countries.
• Uptake of FAO's guidelines and materials.

Rationale

• FAO needs to be an active partner of the International Network of Food Data Systems (INFOODS), which covers the analysis, compilation, dissemination and use of food composition data (nutrient, non-nutrient and "anti-nutrient" data).
• These data are essential for food security assessment, the identification of food insecure, malnourished and vulnerable populations and the design of nutrition interventions.
• Food trade is facilitated by nutrient content labelling, and risk assessment can be achieved by mitigating contaminant (anti-nutrient) data.

Objective

To generate and disseminate widely food composition data.

Major Outputs

1. Regional and national food composition tables and databases (integrated information source, widely accessible to clients).
2. Development and harmonisation of standards for food composition (international technical guidelines).
3. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis (bi-monthly scientific journal, which also serves as a forum for scientists).
4. Food composition data for global assessments (combining inventories of local food sources with food composition data, leading to proposed nutritionally balanced food systems).
5. Interactive database for the promotion of local foods (used for a variety of purposes: commodity analyses, food balance sheets and calculation of per caput dietary energy and protein supplies).

Indicators

• Adoption of standards by national food composition steering committees.
• Uptake by users of databases.
• Subscriptions to Journal, and citations in scientific and agricultural literature.

Rationale

• Science-based standards for food quality and safety are important components of national and international legal and regulatory frameworks.
• These standards are particularly relevant to the implementation of the Uruguay Round agreements, and the enhancement of trade opportunities, food security and consumer protection.

Objective

To develop and maintain international science-based standards to protect consumers and ensure fair practices in food trade, in cooperation with WHO.

Major Outputs

1. Policies and principles for food standardisation (including the Rules of Procedure and the General Principles of the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission; recommendations to governments on the application of risk analysis principles, and use of international standards for protection of consumers' health and ensuring fair practices in the food trade).
2. Food standards, guidelines and other recommendations for consumer protection and trade (including servicing of all Codex specialised Committees, and the publication and dissemination of standards).
3. Technical and scientific reports on critical food standards issues.
4. Support to national policies, instruments and mechanisms for the use and application of food standards (including facilitation of participation in the work of the Codex Alimentarius Commission).

Indicators

• Extent of the application of Codex standards by governments at the national level and in international agreements, as verified by acceptance in legal texts or by other international bodies.
• National reports on application (follow-up questionnaires/surveys).
• Demand for assistance and advice in application.

Rationale

• Requirement in the WTO agreements (SPS and TBT) for countries to harmonise food safety and quality standards with those of Codex and related need for guidance and assistance to carry out the harmonisation process.
• Moreover, Members need to establish effective food quality assurance and food control systems at both national and local levels, including food import/export inspection and certification and foods distributed through the "informal" sector.
• Consumer awareness of food quality and safety issues gives added importance to objective- and science-based risk communication.

Objectives

To promote the establishment and operation of national regulatory frameworks that are compatible with international requirements, and food control systems with a view to ensuring food quality and safety throughout the food chain.

Major Outputs

1. Harmonisation of national food control regulations with Codex.
2. Support to national food quality and safety assurance systems and programmes (including relevant manuals, guidelines and training materials).
3. Risk communication and heightened consumer awareness (through dissemination of scientific information material on pertinent issues related to food quality and safety, and objective food safety risk analysis).

Indicators

• Number of countries which have harmonised their food standards and regulations with Codex.
• Number of countries which have established national Codex Committees.
• Number of countries which have revised/upgraded their national food control systems.
• Reduced volume of detained food consignments for lack of conformity with international/national standards.

Rationale

• Need to ensure a scientific basis for international negotiations and decisions related to food quality and safety, and to provide independent scientific advice to Codex Alimentarius Commission and to countries on the safety assessment of food additives, contaminants, veterinary drugs as well as of processes including foods derived from biotechnology (through the work of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) and other ad hoc expert consultations).
• Parallel requirement to collate, analyse and disseminate information and data on food quality and safety at international level, including information on food safety trends and on emerging and accidental food safety-related problems.

Objective

To carry out scientific assessments and serve as clearing house for information related to food quality and safety at global level.

Major Outputs

1. Scientific safety evaluations of food additives, contaminants and processes (periodic release of technical reports).
2. Database on food additives and contaminants (covering chemical characteristics and toxicological evaluations of food additives and contaminants, available on Internet for wider access).
3. Food safety rapid alert and crisis management system (for food safety-related accidents to provide advice to countries and the international community on how to deal with such crises).
4. Risk assessment through dietary intake studies (standards, guidelines and software tools, coupled with direct assistance to countries in undertaking dietary surveys).

Indicators

• Number of compounds evaluated.
• Number of recommendations adopted by Codex.
• Number of users, by sector, of the scientific recommendations and reports, including number of downloads from FAO's Website.

Rationale

• Considerable public interest in nutrition, food safety and food production systems, behoving FAO to have a lead role in providing unbiased and easily understandable information.
• Special need for information on nutrition and food safety in developing countries' context, and for active exchanges among nutrition practitioners and researchers.

Objective

To provide to a variety of users in both print and electronic form, current, relevant and readable technical information on nutrition and food control.

Major Outputs

1. Food, Nutrition and Agriculture (periodical).
2. Internet Food and Nutrition Home Page.

Indicators

• Subscriptions to periodical and readers' surveys.
• Demand for information ("hits") from the Web page.

This entity also covers Servicing of Statutory Bodies from the perspective of the Nutrition Programme, and support to non-FAO bodies.

Programme 2.2.2: Food and Agricultural Information

Code

Type

Title

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

222A1

TP

Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System (FIVIMS)

222A2

TP

FAO/World Bank/USDA Initiative for Agricultural Statistics in Africa

222A3

TP

FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System

222A4

TP

Systematic Evaluation and Improvement of Statistical Data Quality

222A5

TP

World Agriculture Information Resource System (WAIR)

222P1

CP

Agricultural Resources and Income Statistics

222P2

CP

Agricultural Production, Trade Statistics and Food Balance Sheets

222P3

CP

Agricultural Statistics Development

222P5

CP

Programme for the Improvement of Language Coverage

222P6

CP

WAICENT Corporate Information Management and Dissemination Systems

222P7

CP

Document Repository and Electronic Publishing Systems, and Integrated Documentation Activities

222P8

CP

Facilitation of WAICENT Outreach

222P9

CP

Virtual Library and Library Information Services

222S1

TS

Technical Support Services to Member Nations and the Field Programme

222S2

TS

Assistance to Countries in Capacity Building for Agriculture and Food Information through WAICENT

Legend
	Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million	US$ 1.5 million to 3 million	US$ 3 million to 5 million	More than US$ 5 million

Rationale

• As emphasised by the WFS, countries and the international community at large require reliable, accurate and consistent information on the extent and magnitude of food insecurity and vulnerability, at sub-national, national, regional and global levels.
• FIVIMS is, in essence, a truly multi-disciplinary activity, with inputs from all divisions of the ES Department as well as support from other units; it is also an inter-agency initiative with participation from within and outside the UN system, and it involves information sharing across traditional sectoral information efforts at country level.

Objective

To provide accurate and timely information (including mapping) on the incidence, nature and causes of food insecurity and vulnerability, as a key input to the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes to achieve the goals of the WFS and other international conferences.

Major Outputs

1. Support to the Inter-agency Working Group (IAWG), and communication products related to FIVIMS (including Web pages, periodic newsletters, guidelines and other materials issued to national authorities).
2. Food insecurity and vulnerability assessment methodologies, indicators and related monitoring reports.
3. Nutritional anthropometry and dietary assessments (including guidelines and direct assistance to countries for food consumption and anthropometric surveys).
4. Estimates of prevalence of under-nourishment, and food consumption and income statistics stemming from household surveys.
5. Enhancement of information dissemination and mapping systems, and establishment of FIVIMS networks (based essentially on WAICENT and GIEWS experience and technical support).
6. Support to "national FIVIMS" (including a tracking database of FIVIMS activities at country level, assistance for system set-up and institutional arrangements in countries, training at regional or sub-regional levels, supportive tool kits).

Indicators

• Uptake of methodologies at country level, as measured through regular monitoring.
• Participation of partner organizations in joint activities.
• Use of reports within and outside FAO, indicators and overall data generated by the project.

Rationale

• This recently launched joint effort by the World Bank, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and FAO is expected to continue over the medium-term with a view to developing integrated and sustainable statistical information systems, thus enhancing the availability of basic data in the region.

Objective

To enable national governments in the region, development agencies and the private sector to have access to reliable and timely food and agricultural statistics for improved sectorial planning and monitoring the performance of the agricultural sector.

Major Outputs

1. Country framework documents and data needs assessments in selected countries.
2. Assistance to the establishment of improved national agricultural statistics information systems (including technical and evaluation missions).

Indicators

• Growth in the number of countries covered by this initiative.
• Uptake of the guidance provided.
• Improved performance of statistical systems, as periodically assessed.

Rationale

• Need for integration of country-based substantive data/information collected or generated by FAO by indexing, cataloguing, cross-referencing and organising them visually to facilitate their access and interpretation by users at large.

Objective

To integrate the different FAO thematic and statistical databases of country-based information to provide complete country profiles for integral assessments of the state of food and agriculture in countries.

Major Outputs

1. An integrated and streamlined environment for the gathering and storage of country-based information in general, and country profiles and mapping data in particular, together with relevant storage and versatile access and retrieval tools.

Indicators

• System usage statistics, both within and outside FAO and requests for information.

Rationale

• The reported decline in data completeness and quality threatens FAO's comparative advantage.
• Quality and transparent methodology are factors which are consistently emphasised by the Governing Bodies.

Objective

To improve statistical data series.

Major Outputs

1. As regards agricultural inputs (land use, irrigated area, fertilisers, farm machinery and pesticides statistics) enhanced methodologies for filling data gaps for non-reporting countries; and documentation of the various methods and procedures.
2. Systematic assessment of the quality of agricultural production and trade statistics, to increase timeliness, accessibility and clarity, along with expanded documentation of national estimating methods and FAO's estimation procedures for non-reporting countries.
3. Publications on quality of data from national agricultural censuses/surveys; and improved access to national statistical publications and surveys/census reports, including through electronic means.

Indicators

• Improved statistical data series for planning and decision-making and increased transparency regarding the quality of the information.
• Uptake of methodologies in countries and by other international organizations.

Rationale

• In an age of explosive expansion of potential information sources, tools need to be developed to facilitate search of information resource systems throughout the world.

Objective

To establish networks of authoritative information providers in agriculture, agriculture-related sectors, and agricultural research and development, thereby ensuring multiplier effects to FAO's own dissemination efforts.

Major Outputs

1. Development of the WAICENT "Resource Finder", i.e. a global search engine for organising and linking information pertinent to FAO's work on food security and sustainable agricultural development.
2. Applications to allow organised data exchange between networks of institutions (documents, links, events, etc. on an Internet platform within a hierarchical structure).

Indicators

• Evidence of increased linkages to the FAO Website; increase in information sharing agreements; usage statistics on the FAO Website.

Rationale

• Complete and accurate statistical data is a prerequisite for sound policy development and decision-making.
• This continuing programme activity forms part of FAO's core statistical work, from compilation through analysis to dissemination, covering land use, population, labour force, agricultural inputs, prices, income, economic accounts and related environmental concerns.

Objective

To provide the world community with a set of consistent and up-to-date statistical series and indicators, for analysis and monitoring of the food and agricultural situation and to support decision-making.

Major Outputs

1. Up-to-date data series and related indicators.
2. Guidelines/manuals for countries for improving the coverage of related data collection system.

Indicators

• Usage of the statistical series and indicators.
• Documented uptake of guidelines.

Rationale

• Complete and accurate statistical data is a prerequisite for sound policy development and decision-making.
• This continuing programme activity complements the preceding in terms of FAO's core statistical work, but covers the key areas of agricultural production and trade statistics and food balance sheets.

Objective

To provide the world community with consistent and up-to-date agricultural production, trade and utilisation statistics.

Major Outputs

1. Up-to-date data series in FAOSTAT.
2. Production and Trade Yearbooks and periodic Bulletins of Statistics.
3. Updated information on Supply Utilization Accounts (SUAs) and Food Balance Sheets (FBSs), available in electronic and printed form.

Indicators

• Usage of statistical series and information products.

Rationale

• Given continuing weaknesses in national statistical systems and the importance of effective agricultural censuses and surveys, there is a need to refine methodologies and technical tools for data collection, while countries require assistance in the production of harmonised and improved basic data.

Objective

To enhance national capacities to assemble reliable and timely food and agricultural data and facilitate access to these within countries.

Major Outputs

1. Guidelines on the implementation of survey methodologies (including gender issues and early estimates in agricultural surveys).
2. Training materials and courses on national agricultural censuses and review of the methodology for the Programme for the World Census of Agriculture.
3. Analysis of integrated statistical systems and capacity-building on effective statistical systems through workshops and manuals.

Indicators

• Use of standards, concepts and methods, as applied in an increasing number of countries.
• Requests for assistance and capacity-building.
• Participation in training activities.

Rationale

• The membership has again re-emphasised the importance of the equal treatment of languages in the activities of the Organization and in the production of its outputs.

Objective

To improve language balance, including by meeting important gaps in coverage and support of Internet links, CD-ROMs and publications in non-FAO languages.

Major Outputs

1. A system to improve language balance in FAO's Internet site in particular, and to facilitate production of multiple language versions of publications and CD-ROMs.
2. Correction of gaps in language coverage (publications, audio-visual products, meeting documents and interpretation services) during implementation of FAO programmes.
3. Publications in Chinese (in cooperation with national authorities) and in local (non-FAO) languages.

Indicators

• Evidence of increased availability of information in all official languages through the FAO Website and published outputs.
• Increased use of FAO languages in other activities.

Rationale

• Wide access to FAO's data and information is critical to its utilisation by Members and other stakeholders.
• This continuing programme activity provides the core technological know-how and resources for the design, development, maintenance and enhancement of FAO information systems, training tools and related activities under the corporate World Agricultural Information Centre (WAICENT).

Objective

To maintain and enhance FAO information systems and systems tools, and support their continued expansion to put FAO's store of knowledge at the service of agricultural development and food security.

Major Outputs

1. Enhanced indexing and search capabilities on the FAO Website.
2. Corporate databases and the Organization's Intranet.
3. Multilingual database environments to facilitate access to WAICENT information using Internet and CD-ROM technologies.
4. Tools, guidelines and procedures to adjust and expand published content dynamically using current and new Internet technologies.
5. Support to thematic information systems, and related expert networks.

Indicators

• Usage statistics, particularly for FAO's Website.
• Documented uptake of methodologies.

Rationale

• This continuing programme activity provides for the core functions of a Document Repository system to collect, store and disseminate the wealth of information produced by the Organization. It advantageously draws on the categorisations, indexing and thesauri methodologies and guidelines of AGRIS/CARIS and AGROVOC. Part of this effort is to preserve institutional memory of agricultural, technological and research activities that have been applied in a member country, directly through FAO's support or through FAO's leverage.

Objective

To enable Member Nations and the community of users at large to benefit from an organised and up-to-date repository of full-text, multilingual documents for consultation and printing on demand.

Major Outputs

1. Integrated publishing workflow management system.
2. Enhancement of the search and retrieval capabilities of the FAO Document Repository.
3. Upgraded documentation standards in FAO's activities and maintenance of FAO catalogues for information retrieval.
4. Further strengthening of the decentralized AGRIS/CARIS network of documentation centres.

Indicators

• Increased availability of documents and information in the official languages of the Organization through the FAO Website, specialised products such as CD-ROMs, and publications; usage statistics.

Rationale and Objective

• WAICENT's store of knowledge and related information systems must be made more widely available to stakeholders in Member Nations and institutions associated with agricultural development and food security, with a strong emphasis on the use of new Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).

Major Outputs

1. Adaptation of WAICENT applications and tools, with content and databases, to meet specific requirements of national agricultural systems.
2. Conceptual frameworks, methodologies and training material for Information Management applications, content development and dissemination, including distance-learning and impact assessment.

Indicators

• Uptake of guidelines and applications, as assessed through surveys, participation in training activities.

Rationale and Objective

• Complementary to previous entity, need to facilitate access to the wealth of FAO information on agriculture and agriculture-related fields, through the continuous development of a substantive multi-media collection (Virtual Library) including electronic reference and bibliographic information services and search databases.

Major Outputs

1. Upgrade of FAO's multiple media resource collection and FAO document master collection (including completion of digitisation of priority works and heritage library catalogues of special collections).
2. Full text document delivery services and customised, targeted information research services, including current awareness.
3. Support to a global integrated library system (including support to FAO regional and country offices and training workshops at national level).
4. Networks and library exchange agreements for the coordination of shared access to agricultural documentation and specialised information resources.

Indicators

• Quantitative and qualitative improvements in terms of scope and coverage.
• Access and dissemination (usage statistics).
• Effective partnerships (timeliness and extent of information exchange).

This technical service agreement entity covers direct services in the statistical area, not otherwise addressed under other entities. It includes servicing of a number of statistical Statutory Bodies and Regional Commissions.

Besides assistance to national information centres (AGRIS/CARIS among others) through a variety of means (missions, field projects, training), this entity includes servicing of periodic Consultations on Agricultural Information Management (COAIM). This is an important mechanism, reporting to FAO's Governing Bodies, providing for intergovernmental discussion on key issues relating to global agricultural information generation, use and exchange.

Programme 2.2.3: Food and Agricultural Monitoring, Assessments and Outlooks

Code

Type

Title

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

223A1

TP

Global Perspective Studies

223P2

CP

The State of Food and Agriculture

223P3

CP

Market Assessments for Basic Food Commodities and Impact on Global Food Security

223P4

CP

Projections and Global Commodity Analyses

223P5

CP

Market Assessments and Food Security Reports for Tropical, Horticultural and Raw Material Commodities

223P6

CP

Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture

223S1

TS

Technical Support Services to Member Nations and the Field Programme

Legend
	Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million	US$ 1.5 million to 3 million	US$ 3 million to 5 million	More than US$ 5 million

Rationale

• Consistent expectations of the membership that FAO carry out at regular intervals long-term assessments of world food, nutrition and agriculture prospects, taking into account the impact of population growth, use of new technologies, changing patterns in international trade and changes in the status and use of natural resources worldwide.
• In turn, these assessments can be used by Member Nations and the international community in formulating agricultural objectives and policies.
• These assessments must be inter-disciplinary undertakings, drawing on contributions from all technical units in FAO.

Objective

To provide a long-term prospective assessment of world food, nutrition and agriculture, including technology and natural resource use aspects.

Major Outputs

1. Refined analytical framework and supportive databases (including capacity to undertake scenario analysis).
2. Long-term projections and Agriculture Towards 2025/40 (AT 2025/40) report.

Indicators

• Frequency of citations from "AT 20XX" reports and related papers.
• Frequency of (internal and external) requests for "AT 20XX" data and projections.
• Requests for contributions to other studies, papers and conferences.

Rationale

• Need to raise awareness of the problems of agriculture and food security, and provide policy-makers with background information needed for the formulation of policies and programmes, through regular reporting on the state of food and agriculture.

Objective

To inform Members, and the international community at large, in a timely and regular fashion on major events, trends and issues in food, agriculture and food security.

Major Outputs

1. SOFA documents comprising the World and Regional Review of the Food and Agriculture Situation, and a special chapter devoted to an exceptionally important and timely subject (while keeping production and dissemination arrangements under constant scrutiny to enhance cost-effectiveness and ensure needed flexibility).

Indicators

• Statements by officials, articles or citations in specialised and general journals and in technical publications which reflect awareness of the major facts, issues and trends highlighted in SOFA.
• Demand for publications and "hits" to FAO Website.

Rationale

• Member Nations and the international community require regular and timely information on global market developments concerning basic food commodities, comprehensive assessments of changing commodity markets and medium-term prospects and their implications for global food security, to facilitate planning and adaptation to changing market conditions.
• FAO's extensive technical presence in developing countries gives it a unique perspective on assessing emerging market problems in this group of countries.

Objective

To furnish updated data, information and assessments related to global market developments of basic food commodities.

Major Outputs

1. Integrated databases, upgraded analytical/modelling tools for basic foodstuffs, and exchange of commodity information through networking.
2. Publications on market situation and short-term outlook for basic foodstuffs.
3. Selected commodity studies, medium-term projections for basic foodstuffs.
4. Reports on global indicators of food security reflecting developments in trade and markets of basic food commodities.

Indicators

• Effective use and application of the data, information and assessments generated, as can be measured through subscriptions, "hits" on the relevant Internet Web pages, questionnaires to subscribers and users of the services.
• Accuracy of FAO's assessments as judged by peer reviewers, invitations extended to present results in other fora.

Rationale

• Governments, as well as a broad range of national users, require authoritative analyses of current global market developments and medium-term prospects for agricultural commodities, as well as analyses of cross-cutting issues and policy implications arising out of these assessments.

Objective

To enable national institutions and industries in member countries, as well as other international organizations, to recognise and take into account the forces and underlying trends, and problems which agricultural policies have failed to solve or may have even aggravated, with annual reports on the global commodity market situation, periodic publications on medium-term commodity projections and analytical studies on selected topics.

Major Outputs

1. Studies on market developments and trends, and issuance of the Commodity Market Review (CMR).
2. Publication of medium-term global commodity projections and analytical studies on the outlook for commodity markets.

Indicators

• Effective use of information as measured by requests, "hits" on the relevant Internet Web pages, surveys, citations in professional literature.
• Relevance of FAO assessments as judged by peer reviewers.

Rationale

• This continuing programme activity complements entity 223P3 by covering another range of commodities, which are particularly important for income-earning generation and thus food security and poverty alleviation.
• Attention needs to be paid to non-traditional products, processed and semi-processed, value added items and those occupying niche markets.

Objective

To enable national governments, development agencies, the commercial sector and NGOs to have access to, and take into account, a wide range of information regarding market developments and prospects for tropical, horticultural and raw material products.

Major Outputs

1. Integrated databases, refined analytical/modelling tools for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products, and electronic exchange of commodity information and networking arrangements.
2. Publications on market situation and short-term outlook for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products.
3. Selected studies and medium-term projections for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products.
4. Reports on export earnings from raw materials, tropical and horticultural products and links to food security.

Indicators

• Demand for publications (in printed and electronic form) and subscriptions, "hits" on the relevant Internet Web pages.
• Reference to work by media and in other fora; evaluation questionnaires to readers, and relevance as judged by peer reviewers.
• Ex-post validation of commodity forecasts.

Rationale

• Established on the recommendation of the World Food Conference in 1974 in the wake of the 1972/73 food crisis, the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) plays a unique role within the UN System in providing information on the impact on food security of natural and man-made disasters on a timely and accurate basis, and facilitates implementation of coordinated responses and focused measures.

Objective

To monitor the crop and food supply/demand situation throughout the world and to provide special alerts and early warnings on impending food emergencies to governments and the international community at large, so that timely action can be taken to prevent loss of life or minimise human suffering.

Major Outputs

1. Early warning reports and special alerts based on information from a wide range of sources, including, inter alia, crop and food supply assessment missions, satellite imagery, national correspondents, FAO field offices, newswire services, etc.
2. Crop and food supply assessment missions to affected countries (while not a "final" output per se, are highlighted as one of GIEWS key means of action).
3. Regular Food Situation and Outlook reports.
4. Analysis of governments' food aid requests for joint approval by the FAO Director-General and WFP Executive Director.
5. Specialised early warning software, databases and Internet systems to facilitate dissemination of regular reports, special alerts and food security data.

Indicators

• While numerous quantitative indicators can be given of the uptake of well-established GIEWS outputs, including media coverage, GIEWS undoubtedly directly contributes to shaping donor responses to emergencies, although a causal relationship is more difficult to assess.

This technical service agreement entity also covers contributions to servicing of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Inter-governmental Commodity Groups (IGGs) and to studies undertaken by UN system and non-UN organizations in the technical areas addressed by the programme.

Programme 2.2.4: Agriculture, Food Security and Trade Policy

Code

Type

Title

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

224A1

TP

World Food Summit Monitoring and Follow-up

224A2

TP

Commodity and Trade Policy Support to Developing Countries for Trade Negotiations

224A3

TP

Mid-term Review in 2006 of Progress Towards the WFS Target

224P1

CP

Agricultural Adjustment and Policy Reforms

224P2

CP

Contribution of Agriculture to Poverty Alleviation, Rural Development and Food Security

224P3

CP

Economics of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability

224P4

CP

International Action on Commodity and Trade Issues

224P5

CP

Measures to Enhance Commodity and Trade Development

224S1

TS

Technical Support Services to Member Nations and the Field Programme

Legend
	Greater than zero, less than US$ 1.5 million	US$ 1.5 million to 3 million	US$ 3 million to 5 million	More than US$ 5 million

Rationale

• In the light of the commitment of Members and the international community to implement the Plan of Action adopted by the World Food Summit, this entity provides the venue and monitoring system for keeping track of progress, and identifying any mid-course corrective actions that may be required at international or national levels.

Objective

To support monitoring of World Food Summit follow-up and foster information exchange and dialogue on policy issues identified as requiring attention by the international community.

Major Outputs

1. Regular progress reports and facilitation of information exchange (including information for media and general public, and consultations).
2. Thematic studies and analytical reports on WFS follow-up issues.

Indicators

• Number of countries and international organizations providing biannual monitoring reports; recommendations of the Committee on World Food Security (CFS) acted upon.

Rationale

• Substantial and firmly expressed requirements of countries, particularly developing countries, for assistance in strengthening their capacity to participate effectively, and thus become equal partners, in trade negotiations.
• Related need for enhanced capacity to analyse issues on the international trade agenda relating to agriculture from the perspective of development and food security, policy options concerning the international regulatory framework for agriculture and negotiating proposals in relation to national interests.

Objectives

To provide countries with assistance including training, analytical tools and studies as well as specific trade policy advice to strengthen their capacity to participate effectively in trade negotiations and to assist them in making full use of the trading opportunities arising from the implementation of trade agreements.

Major Outputs

1. Regular analyses and facilitation of information flow regarding trade issues under negotiation, and the implications of alternative negotiating proposals.
2. Assistance to countries in the implementation of trade agreements, including the adjustment/adaptation of domestic policies, and for the identification of new trading opportunities arising from these agreements.

Indicators

• Specific demands for technical assistance relating to trade negotiations.
• Uptake of analytical studies on trade negotiating issues.
• Number of workshops/seminars/consultations organised, including the number of participants.

Rationale and Objective

• WFS has mandated that CFS undertake in 2006 an in-depth review of progress towards the 2015 target of halving the undernourished.
• This entity covers preparatory work for such an examination in a special forum within the framework of CFS.

Major Outputs

1. Assessment of long-term prospects on access to food and under-nourishment.
2. Working papers and reports with empirical evidence on, and analysis of impacts of economic and social policies affecting access to food and resources by vulnerable and disadvantaged groups.
3. Supportive assessments of food consumption distribution and distribution at national level of agricultural assets critical for food production and access to food.
4. Mid-term review by CFS in 2006 (preceded by technical documents on critical issues and regional consultations).

Indicators

• Timely production of quality materials.
• Interest of Members in preparatory steps (while the outcome of the review per se cannot, of course, be predicted).

Rationale

• Governments need to continuously adjust their global and agricultural policies to fast evolving international and national conditions, requiring understanding and analysis of necessary adjustments and concrete recommendations on which to base policy formulation.

Objective

To assist Members to develop, implement and adjust policies in response to rapidly changing conditions, as they affect the food and agricultural sectors.

Major Outputs

1. Analytical reports of policy trends and agriculture performance in selected countries (also contributing to SOFA).
2. Review of critical agricultural policy issues and proposals for an agenda of priority research needs to cover remaining knowledge gaps (through papers by staff and selected experts).
3. Evaluation (and dissemination of results) of the impacts of structural adjustment and policy reform on the agriculture and food sectors.

Indicators

• Uptake of findings as may be assessed through identifiable policy changes.
• Quotations in literature.

Rationale

• Need for countries to address persistent problems of poverty, especially rural poverty, and food insecurity, even those which experience satisfactory overall growth rates.
• Thus they require policies which can achieve maximum results in combating poverty and improving food security, assistance to analyse the inter-dependencies among contributing factors and advice on effective anti-poverty measures.

Objective

To enhance Members' capacity to maximise the contribution of agriculture to rural development, food security and poverty alleviation (especially rural poverty).

Major Outputs

1. Reports and technical publications providing comparative analysis of the economic and other roles of agriculture for equitable development (also contributing to SOFA).
2. Analysis of, and reports on the contribution of agriculture and farm-off-farm linkages to poverty alleviation (including interactions between agricultural growth and poverty alleviation, and risk coping strategies in developing countries).
3. Analytical studies on food security policies, practices, options (results through publications) and impact evaluation guidelines for policies and programmes.
4. Reports on the "Economic Costs of Hunger".

Indicators

• Key ideas and findings referenced in literature.
• User feedback in relation to major reports, studies and guidelines.

Rationale

• Great concerns have been expressed at both international and national levels about the environmental sustainability of agricultural activities and how to integrate the latter into a sound pattern of natural resources use, including the diversity of genetic resources.
• Countries require tools, analysis and advice on how to integrate such sustainability concerns into their agricultural and environmental policies.

Objective

To enhance Members' capacity to analyse environmental and resource problems and the environment-related benefits and costs of policies.

Major Outputs

1. Development and dissemination of methods for economic valuation of environmental costs and benefits and analysis of specific issues (degradation, conservation and rehabilitation of natural and biological resources).

Indicators

• Quotations in literature and effective use of methods generated, as assessed through government counterparts.

Rationale

• There is considerable interest in the membership for analysis and studies on emerging issues affecting international trade and food security including the effects of new technologies and scientific developments.
• There is also interest in making full use of consultative mechanisms to strengthen understanding and interaction with regard to the complex factors affecting trade in food and agriculture.
• At the same time, there is a desire for consensus on policies to enhance commodity development and trade, and achieving food security through a fair and market-oriented world trade system.

Objective

To assist countries in maximising benefits from trade in agricultural commodities and processed and semi-processed food products.

Major Outputs

1. Reports/publications reflecting analysis of emerging global and regional trade issues as they relate to agricultural trade as a whole, as well as trade in individual commodities and of their effects on countries, and distillation of results to sharpen advisory services to countries on trade policy.
2. Methodologies to assess the impact on food security of developments in international trade and commodity markets.
3. Regular monitoring and assessments - coupled with methodology development - of the impact of new technologies on trade and competitiveness of agricultural commodities, including factors such as eco-labelling, fair trade and organics.
4. Facilitation of consensus-building on commodity and trade issues, through consultative mechanisms, including intergovernmental consultations, multi-commodity and multidisciplinary outlook conferences and networking among key partners.

Indicators

• Uptake of reports/assessments and methodologies via quotations in policy statements, enquiries, reader surveys, references in media, etc.
• Participation (in qualitative and quantitative terms) in consultative mechanisms.
• Ability to attract extra-budgetary resources.

Rationale

• Members' requirements (particularly developing countries and countries in transition) for assistance in formulating appropriate commodity and trade development strategies (including for diversification) and introducing related institutional measures to attract investment to the commodity and trade sector.
• There is complementary need to assist with formulation of commodity development proposals to mobilise resources for their implementation.

Objective

To enhance national capacity to develop the commodity sector through improvements in productivity and increased competitiveness, and assist countries in taking full advantage of trading opportunities in the globalised world economy.

Major Outputs

1. Assistance in the formulation of national commodity and trade strategies.
2. Advice and support to the design of specific commodity development programmes, in collaboration with funding bodies, including the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC).

Indicators

• Number of requests for assistance.
• Uptake of project ideas and proposals by funding institutions.
• Evaluation of completed projects.

This entity also includes servicing of the Committee on World Food Security.