Chapter 2: Technical and Economic Programmes

313. As is evident from the preceding table, Real Growth (RG) strongly favours the technical programmes considered to be of the highest priority by the Governing Bodies. However, this has a particularly adverse impact on Major Programme 2.5, Contributions to Sustainable Development and Special Programme Thrusts, where under Zero Real Growth (ZRG) a 4.3% reduction has been imposed while the other Major Programmes in this Chapter are fully protected or even grow.

Major Programme 2.1: Agricultural Production and Support Systems

Distribution of Resources by Strategic Objectives

Main Substantive Thrusts and Priorities

314. Major Programme 2.1 is to address the tremendous challenge for agriculture over the medium to longer term, i.e. to satisfy increasing and diversified demands for food and other products – thereby reducing the number of vulnerable and undernourished people and improving rural livelihoods – while conserving natural resources and ensuring food quality and safety of new technologies. This entails a prime focus on new technologies and approaches, aiming at increased productivity of land, water and labour, applications of biotechnology, sustainable use of genetic resources, livelihoods diversification and enterprise development. These should provide the basis for future sustained increases in food production to meet projected demand beyond the medium term.

315. The five constituent programmes cover natural resources, crops, livestock, agricultural support systems and applications of isotopes and biotechnology, complemented by five intra-departmental entities to address cross-cutting issues and services. The major programme continues to make a significant contribution to Priority Areas for Interdisciplinary Action (PAIAs), in particular on biotechnology, biosecurity, biodiversity, integrated production systems, sustainable rural livelihoods, food for the cities, disaster prevention, mitigation and preparedness, and post-emergency relief and rehabilitation.

316. Overall priority is given to those areas that have attracted consistently strong support from Members, in the first instance standard setting and further development of the information system under the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and for the Joint FAO/WHO Meetings on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) of Codex. High priority is also given to the Emergency Prevention System for Transboundary Animal and Plant Pests and Diseases (EMPRES) and to biennial meetings of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) acting as Interim Committee for the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT-PGRFA). Other priority areas are land and water management including conservation agriculture, sustainable use of genetic resources, food and feed safety, the Programme Against African Trypanosomiasis (PAAT), the code of conduct on pesticides, production diversification with emphasis on horticulture, and good agricultural and manufacturing practices for food quality and safety.

Changes in Resources

317. Among the intra-departmental entities, there is a net increase in resources (US$ 272,000) for the CGRFA acting as the Interim Committee for the IT-PGRFA (210P1), supplemented, as indicated in the Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2004-09, by extra-budgetary resources. The various collaborating units have allocated additional resources for work on conservation agriculture (210A2). Pilot activities on sustainable intensification of integrated production systems (210A1) are reduced if compared with the MTP, and will rely more on partnerships with local and regional initiatives.

318. Under the programme on natural resources, the water component will give emphasis to improved irrigation and water management technologies, efficient water management and related water resources policy and institutional reform (211A1). The land component (211A2) will address soil productivity improvement and sustainable land use through integrated plant nutrient management and soil fertility enhancement, soil management and conservation technologies and policies for land use options. Work on land and water quality management is moved from entities 211A1 and 211A3, to the new entity 211A5. Additional resources are provided for technical services (211S1) to the Field Programme, including the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) and emergencies and rehabilitation operations, particularly for the application of integrated water and land methodologies for better resource management.

319. Under the crops programme, substantial additional resources are made to entity 212P1 for IPPC (US$ 2,000,000) and to entity 212P2 for JMPR (US$ 550,000) and the code of conduct on pesticides. The implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) on PGRFA is given more emphasis through new entity 212A9 with additional resources, replacing entity 212A7 on seed production and security. The apparent reduction under 212P4 (technical support to the IT-PGRFA) is due to a shift to field programme technical services under 212S1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) activities (212A5) will benefit from increased resources for technical support to the field programme. The EMPRES plant pest component in Western Africa will be strengthened and new activities launched in Central Asia, while it will not be possible to extend work beyond locusts to other migratory and transboundary pests (212A4). To accommodate the above increased emphases, it is possible to capitalize on now well-established database management systems (212A8) and to reduce work on under-utilized crops (212A3) including abolition of a post on cropping systems.

320. The livestock programme is to strengthen – with extra-budgetary support – work on livestock information, sector analysis and policy dimensions. Within the ongoing eight programme entities, special attention is given to: transboundary animal disease control (213A7 – EMPRES-Livestock); veterinary public health, food and feed safety and zoonoses (213A6); environmental management of insect-borne diseases, including PAAT (213A9); and good practices for sustainable resource use in both intensifying and extending animal production systems (within 213A8). It will be important to assist countries, primarily using extra-budgetary funds, in the preparation of the First Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources and in the definition of priority actions for improved utilisation and conservation of these resources.

321. Under Programme 2.1.4, the main changes include the conversion of technical project (TP) 214A5 to a continuing programme activity (CP) 214P2 – Agricultural Services – Data and Information Systems with reduced resources, and the establishment of a new TP 214A9 on Enhancing Food Quality and Safety by Strengthening Handling, Processing and Marketing in the Food Chain. This new entity will address primarily capacity building and the needs of developing countries in providing safe food for national, regional and international markets. Due to planned phasing out of work in the medium term, resource allocations to 214A2 – Meeting Urban Food Needs are being reduced.

322. The programme on agricultural applications of isotopes and biotechnology, implemented by the Joint FAO/IAEA Division in Vienna, will downsize its work on agro-forestry, tissue culture and procedures for mutation induction. With respect to livestock, resources will be targeted to molecular methodologies, and to aspects of veterinary public health, in particular methods for diagnosis and surveillance of zoonotic infections and veterinary drug residues detection (215A2). Increased resources are also directed at PAAT in support of the Pan African Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Programme (PATTEC), while work on screwworms is reduced. Work on food irradiation will be restricted to provision of science-based information, while development and transfer of methods for end product testing for food contaminants is phased out, giving way to the development of systems for using analytical results in refining good agricultural practices and tracing back non compliant products (215P1).

Programme 2.1.0: Intra-departmental Entities

323. Five intra-departmental entities will continue to address emerging cross-cutting issues and bring coherence to departmental level activities and services. The sixth entity is to support the implementation of PAIAs.

210A1 - Sustainable Intensification of Integrated Production Systems

324. Objective: foster and support coordinated action at selected SPFS pilot sites in various regions and exchange of information and lessons, in order to test, demonstrate and promote integrated production systems.

Biennial Outputs

• Electronic information forum and clearing-house for stakeholders to collect and share information on integrated production systems and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
• Farmer-participatory pilot site, established through the SPFS, for study and demonstration of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems (Asia)
• Dissemination of results of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems through local and national meetings and workshops in collaboration with partners(W. Africa) (Reduced in ZRG)
• Farmer-participatory pilot site, established through the SPFS, for study and demonstration of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems (W. Kenya)
• Farmer-participatory pilot site, established through the SPFS, for study and demonstration of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems (N.E.)
• Farmer-participatory pilot site, established through the SPFS, for study and demonstration of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems (LAC)
• Appraisal of farming systems resource management, productivity and profitability in PRODS pilot sites
• Analyses of intensification patterns and dynamics in important major farming systems for identification of differentiated development pathways and strategies
• Synthesis and dissemination of information on the economics of intensified production systems (Reduced in ZRG)
• Global information portal on Good Agricultural Practices
• Guidelines on good agricultural practices for selected crops and livestock in different agroecosystems
• National and regional capacity building for the implementation of good agricultural practices in different agro-ecosystems in collaboration with partners in the public and private sectors and CSO's

210A2 - Promotion of Conservation Agriculture

325. Objective: a process for participatory development of sustainable agricultural production methods following the Conservation Agriculture (CA) concept is firmly established within a defined region, leading to a progressive increase in the number of governments, projects and farmers using and promoting CA.

Biennial Outputs

• Information and training material on tools and equipment for Conservation Agriculture
• Support for regional training, networks, workshops and pilot sites for Conservation Agriculture
• Regional workshops/training courses in West Africa and Central Asia on cropping systems development for conservation agriculture
• Country study case in Asia and/or Africa on successful adoption of appropriate cropping systems in conservation agriculture
• Support to the Eurasian Conservation Agriculture Network (ECAN) and the South Asian Conservation Agriculture Network (SACAN)
• Publication and training manual on "Progress in Conservation Agriculture in Central Asia"
• Guidelines, training materials, workshops and support to networks on soil and moisture conservation in production systems
• Piloting, adapting and evaluating impact of better soil and water management at farm level (two countries in North Africa and Near East)
• On-line knowledge base (Web Page) on soil moisture conservation in production systems
• Framework for monitoring soil water regime and assessing the effects of Conservation Agriculture practices on the water and structure dynamics of soil
• E-mail conference on soil moisture assessment
• Information and Guidance on the contribution of livestock to the achievement of Conservation Agriculture practices
• Validated and refined models of nutrient and water dynamics in conservation agriculture
• Validated and refined models of carbon sequestration and soil erosion in conservation agriculture

210P1 - Secretariat of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA)

326. Objective: negotiation, implementation and management of national and international policy and regulatory frameworks, intergovernmental agreements and codes of conduct for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of GRFA. Appropriate orientation given to FAO's work on GRFA, and inclusion of related ethical considerations in FAO's work.

Biennial Outputs

• One regular session of the Commission and support to its Intergovernmental Technical Working Groups (ITWGs) on Animal and on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
• Pending the entry into force of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, support to the CGRFA as Interim Committee, with activities funded by extra-budgetary resources, and meetings as required (Reduced in ZRG)
• Coordination with relevant international processes
• Meeting of the Panel of Eminent Experts on Ethics in Food and Agriculture, and two publications, with additional outputs subject to extra-budgetary resources becoming available

210S1 - Committee on Agriculture (COAG)

327. Objective: technical appraisal made of relevant programmes and specific matters related to food and agriculture and subsequent recommendations to Council.

Biennial Outputs

• Planning and organization of 18th session of COAG

210S2 - Technical Services for Partnership Development and Information Enhancement

328. Objective: agricultural aspects integrated into relevant cross-cutting initiatives and partnerships through coordinated contributions by AG units. Improved understanding of agricultural issues and solutions through information products and messages.

Biennial Outputs

• Coordinated contributions to work on SARD as relates to Agenda 21 of UNCED, and to the agriculture component of WEHAB (Water, Energy, Health, Agriculture, Biodiversity), in follow-up to the WSSD
• Coordinated contributions to global perspective studies
• Publications and communications planning and management services to divisions to improve editorial quality, presentation and targeting of publications and associated messages (Reduced in ZRG)
• AG Department web site "Agriculture 21" and related advocacy material produced and coordinated with divisional web pages (Reduced in ZRG)
• Liaison with Regional Office groups, as well as organization and report on biennial meeting of AG technical department group leaders

210S5 - Central Support to PAIAs

329. Objective: FAO programmes as a whole reflect a synergistic and better co-ordinated approach to development assistance in particular in the areas noted as Priority Areas for Interdisciplinary Action (PAIAs).

Biennial Outputs

• Catalytic contributions to support effective implementation of PAIAs
• Interdisciplinary support for organization of a conference on sustainable development in the Small Island Developing States

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels

Under entity 210P1, less resources would be provided for the CGRFA acting as the Interim Committee for the IT-PGRFA, which would make it more dependent on extra-budgetary funding. Publications and communications planning and related coordination services under 210S2, aimed at improving editorial quality, presentation and targeting of publications and associated messages, would be curtailed, and a post of P-3 Publications Officer would not be established.

Extra-budgetary Resources

330. A multi-donor trust fund has been set up to support the work of the CGRFA as Interim Committee for the IT-PGRFA, including support for the participation of developing countries.

Programme 2.1.1: Natural Resources

331. The Programme is concerned with the sustainable use, management and conservation of land and water resources and soil nutrients. TPs address the sustainable development of land and water productivity; soil and water conservation and rehabilitation of degraded land and water resources; and integrated planning and management of land, water and plant nutrient resources. CPs cover the development and management of land and water information systems, and integrated institutional and policy-oriented assistance. Substantial technical support is provided to the field programme, SPFS and emergency and rehabilitation operations. Collaboration across disciplines is geared to contributions to various PAIAs as well as international fora and conventions such as the 3^rd World Water Forum follow-up, New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) Agenda 21 and the Convention to Combat Desertification in those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification (UNCCD).

211A1 - Agricultural Water Use Efficiency and Conservation

332. Objective: availability of technologies for efficient use and conservation of water; participatory, equitable and effective water management; improved irrigation policy and related institutional reforms.

Biennial Outputs

• Updated guidelines, training materials, regional seminars and support to networks for on-farm Water Control Techniques and Integrated Water Resources Management
• Guidelines on Crop Water Productivity, including supplementary irrigation and biotechnology applications, plus advisory services for greater private sector participation in irrigation management (Reduced in ZRG)
• Development of water resources and irrigation technologies, including water harvesting and groundwater management (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines and manual produced for irrigation system modernization, management and scheduling
• Irrigation sector and system evaluations, as a basis for restructuring and capacity building
• Promotion of appropriate irrigation policies, including demand management and market analysis in irrigated agriculture
• Assistance for transboundary river basin management and conflict avoidance (Eliminated in ZRG)

211A2 - Land and Soil Productivity

333. Objective: in the framework of the post-UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) conventions and the land management cluster of UNCED Agenda 21, test and disseminate improved land, fertility and moisture management options and support the rehabilitation of degraded land in different ago-ecological zones.

Biennial Outputs

• Support to national soil fertility / productivity improvement programmes, including methodologies, case studies, conferences and training in integrated plant nutrient management (Reduced in ZRG)
• Methodologies for land degradation assessment, its mitigation, conservation and rehabilitation for degraded and problem soils, linked to LADA, SPFS and SFI (Reduced in ZRG)
• Specific tools and models prepared for land resources use and planning (including carbon sequestration)
• Support to national action programmes on conservation agriculture strategies and techniques

211A3 - Integrated Land, Water and Plant Nutrition Policies, Planning and Management

334. Objective: to promote integrated, multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder approaches to the development and sustainable management of land and water resources.

Biennial Outputs

• Guidance on integrated wetland development and management, manuals and training, including decision support for water and nutrient management
• Support to integrated land and water use policies and analyses for aspects of watershed management, including measures for drought and flood mitigation
• Programme development for drought mitigation in Southern Africa
• Global indicators produced for sustainable land development
• Guidelines on land resource planning, use and policy
• Issues papers on actions on integrated planning and management of land, water and nutrient resources

211A5 - Land and Water Quality Improvement

335. Objective: improved production systems and methods put in place to mitigate environmental effects from poor water quality and natural disasters; improved drainage systems and irrigation schemes, and enhanced quality of treated wastewater used in peri-urban irrigation.

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines and case studies on drainage, safe use of treated wastewater and health aspects of irrigation (Reduced in ZRG)
• Proposals formulated for improved agricultural water management and for reducing and reclaiming affected areas
• Guidelines on management of natural disasters, with emphasis on drought and floods

211P7 - Land and Water Information Systems, Databases and Statistics

336. Objective: better managed land and water resources through information systems for monitoring, and increased awareness among decision makers about the global status of such resources.

Biennial Outputs

• Support provided to capacity building of national land and water information systems, including web-based AEZ
• Databases for land resources and land use (SOTER, Terrastat, WOCAT and Global AEZ)
• Various software tools provided for country information updating on AQUASTAT, water and agriculture, water monitoring
• Water section of the State of the World Land and Water Resources (SWLWR) report
• Land and Plant Nutrition Sections of State of the World Land and Water Resources (SWLWR) report

211P8 - Knowledge Management and Partnerships

337. Objective: better informed decision making at the international, national and local levels; enhanced awareness of issues and actions related to land and water management and conservation.

Biennial Outputs

• Web-based information centre and regional perspective studies at global & regional levels on land and water issues
• Regular updating of knowledge base

211S1 - Direct Support to Member Nations and to the Field Programme

338. Objective: the entity includes all activities related to FAO's function as a reference centre on all key issues in land and water. The state of the art in key areas of land and water use will be synthesized and relevant information will be made accessible through the Internet. The entity also includes services to international conventions and partnership arrangements such as the CSD and the Global Water Partnership.

Biennial Outputs

• Direct support to Member Countries (Reduced in ZRG)
• Support on demand for emergency and relief activities (Reduced in ZRG)
• Ongoing support to the development and backstopping of the Field Programme, including SPFS (Reduced in ZRG)

211S2 - International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID)

339. Objective: comprehensive information collection, analyses, technology and information transfer.

Biennial Outputs

• Support to the formulation of strategies and programmes
• Contributions to the identification, formulation and implementation of projects
• Materials prepared and fed into the IPTRID integrated information system

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels

Reductions under 211A1 would slow work in the important area of water resources and irrigation technologies, with fewer guidelines and manuals produced for irrigation system modernization, management and scheduling. Reduced resources for 211A2 would affect planned studies on land evaluation methodologies, various information outputs and training in soils and plant nutrient management practices, which would have focussed on problem soils and moisture conservation for drylands. Under 211A5, work on the safe use of treated wastewater, salinity control and health aspects of irrigation would be curtailed, together with fewer guidelines on natural-disaster preparedness with regard to drought and floods. Less resources for field programme support and direct advisory services to member countries (211S1) would negatively impact on capacity building in water resources planning and management, soil productivity and plant nutrient management and the backstopping of ongoing projects.

Extra-budgetary Resources

340. The Regular Programme contribution to IPTRID under entity 211S2 will catalyze a substantial amount of voluntary contributions to support the activities of this multi-partner initiative. Resources provided through the Global Environment Facility (GEF) will support work under entities 211A1 and 211A2 on Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands and on Globally Important Indigenous Agricultural Heritage Systems. Inter-regional and regional projects on: paddy irrigation under monsoon regime, gender analysis in farmers’ water management, capacity building for Nile basin water resources management, and environmental protection and sustainable management of the Okavango River Basin will further support normative and field-oriented work under entity 211A1. The Programme for Carbon Sequestration Incentive Mechanism to Combat Land Degradation and Desertification is under negotiation for a new phase.

Programme 2.1.2: Crops

341. The programme deals with the enhancement and sustainability of crop production, prevention and reduction of losses due to pests, conservation and use of plant genetic resources and sustainable seed production. The programme of work comprises six TPs and five CPs, with one technical services agreement (TS) for direct support to member countries on crop and seed production. Normative activities are closely linked to technical field work and capacity building within the above entities, and through technical backstopping of a substantial portion of the Organization’s field programme. Technical services are also provided to respond to emergencies, and subsequently to sustainable rehabilitation in crop production and protection.

342. Work on crop and grassland production systems will cover in particular: horticulture for increased income and health; integrated crop/pasture/livestock systems; conservation agriculture; good agriculture practices; prioritized crop networks; and crop-specific thrusts, such as the Global Cassava Development Strategy. Participatory approaches will be piloted, e.g. through Farmers’ Field Schools, as will protocols for school gardens that will be linked to the World Food Programme’s school feeding initiative. Work on alternative crops will focus on income enhancement through crop diversification and introduction of high-value crops, coupled with processing and marketing advice. The International Rice Commission will steer the implementation and follow-up of the International Year of Rice (2004).

343. Work on the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA will support the implementation of the International Treaty on PGRFA, with the associated activity areas of the GPA, and build upon the World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources (WIEWS) which, in turn, forms the basis for the preparation of an updated State of the World Report on PGRFA. Important activities are a survey of national plant breeding capacities to develop a strategy on sustainable use of plant genetic resources, including applications of plant biotechnologies, and high-quality seed production systems, including the rehabilitation of seed systems before and after emergencies through formal and informal mechanisms.

344. Highest priority is given to the IPPC through full funding of its business plan under the RG scenario. Work will focus on international phytosanitary standard setting, information exchange, dispute settlement and technical support to the establishment of national phytosanitary systems within an overall biosecurity framework. Participation in standard setting by developing countries and countries with economies in transition is to increase. Emphasis will be also given to the implementation of the International Code of Conduct on Distribution and Use of Pesticides, particularly in developing countries, and to the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) Procedure for Certain Hazardous Pesticides and Chemicals in International Trade, which is expected to come into force in late 2003/early 2004.

345. Additional resources are provided to the JMPR, which is one of the scientific committees to assist the Codex Alimentarius, with recommendations on Maximum Residue Levels. It is also expected that, through extra-budgetary resources, the problem of obsolete pesticides will continue to be addressed, in particular through technical support to the multi-agency and multi-donor African Stockpile Programme. IPM will continue to be promoted through the IPM Global Facility, a multi-disciplinary cooperative venture of multi-lateral and bilateral donors. The experience gained in IPM Farmers’ Field Schools will be extended to other regions and countries. The EMPRES Programme on early warning/control and support to relevant research on the desert locust will, depending on the availability of extra-budgetary resources, continue to operate in the area around the Red Sea and be further extended to West and North-West Africa.

212A1 - Alternative Crops and Cultivars for New Opportunities

346. Objective: broadening of the extension services syllabus and expertise in alternative food and cash crops and cultivars, and increased areas planted with such crops (crop diversification) in targeted eco-zones.

Biennial Outputs

• Newsletters to fill knowledge gaps in underutilized crops
• Ecocrop (crop/environment data base) updated with more species and searchable fields and CD-ROMs produced
• Meeting reports on underutilized species such as the GFAR Global Facilitation Unit for underutilized crops
• Published descriptions of good practices for marketing such as organic production of medicinal plants
• Hortivar system expanded to cover more species, cultivars and IPP information
• Capacity building and guidelines on efficient propagation systems for healthy planting material of improved horticultural cultivars
• Continued technology expansion of cold-tolerant oil palm in Africa and new drought and saline-tolerant sweet sorghum globally
• Electronic dissemination of information on new cultivars
• Advisory services and capacity building to promote various horticultural and fruit crops with comparative advantage in accordance with the agro-ecological environment and socio-economic context, including formulation of national sector development plans
• Technical guidelines on norms and standards for cost effective greenhouse technology in accordance with the crop requirements and environmental conditions
• Exchange of information and capacity building on Integrated Production and Protection (IPP) management aiming at high quality and safe horticulture produce in line with international regulations
• Assessment of crop diversification options to establish comparative advantages for new market opportunities
• Capacity building for growers to become acquainted with crop protocols and record keeping for traceability as an essential component of successful marketing strategy

212A3 - Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems

347. Objective: strategies adopted, and technologies tested and disseminated for sustainable crops and grassland production and protection systems.

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines for curriculum development on home gardens in agricultural higher education
• Support to networking and capacity-building on homestead horticulture for improved livelihoods
• School garden programme technical support service/kit
• Support to the Tropical Asian Maize Network (TAMNET) and to rice-wheat systems in South Asia
• Capacity building on breeding programmes in difficult environments and on participatory plant breeding, to complement and strengthen national programmes
• Publications on sustainable cereal production and mixed perennial/annual/animal systems
• Models for improvement of farmers' knowledge on integrated crop management through Field Schools and on-farm demonstrations linked to the SPFS and related PAIAs
• Studies and training workshops on symbiotic mushroom species (mycorrhizae) association for improving horticultural cropping system productivity
• Participatory capacity-building on rational fruit crop management practices
• Case studies and publications on different grassland ecosystems and biodiversity dynamics
• Guidelines on management of grasslands in degraded environments, including development of national and regional policies and projects
• Promotion and networking on traditional systems of maintenance and use of local grassland genetic resources
• Networking on integrated fodder/crop systems
• Knowledge base on forage conservation, and dissemination of information in various formats
• Case studies and publications on pasture/crop/livestock systems and grassland issues
• Support to sustainable, including low energy management, of pastures and fodder crops in high potential areas, including irrigated rice
• Improved statistical information on world/country grassland and fodder crop resources
• Knowledge base on the integrated development and use of cassava with publications on cassava issues as Secretariat to Global Cassava Strategy
• Advisory services for the formulation of national, sub-regional and regional projects in support of cassava development strategy, including food supply to urban areas
• Cooperation with IITA for assistance to member countries in the identification and rapid propagation of pest and disease resistant planting material of cassava
• Guidelines and professional capacity building for the implementation of Integrated Production and Protection (IPP) management of horticulture crops in open field and under protected cultivation
• Capacity building workshops and projects on sound cultivation practices for useful saprophytic mushroom species
• Studies, guidelines and factsheets on sustainability of organic agriculture/horticulture management systems
• Series of stakeholder consultations to develop G.A.P. protocols for key horticultural commodities
• Integration of UPA in agriculture development plans as a component of the overall strategy for improved food and nutrition security, and related capacity building
• Identification and demonstration of adapted crops and production technologies including micro garden systems adapted to urban and peri-urban environments

212A4 - EMPRES - Plant Pests Component

348. Objective: to minimise the risk of transboundary plant pest emergencies, initially focusing on desert locusts, through support of early warning systems, early reaction and research capabilities.

Biennial Outputs

• Assistance to the EMPRES (Desert Locust) Programmes in the Central and Western Regions, and the initiation of a programme in the Eastern Region, including coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders, annual planning documents, and training events
• Support to effective early warning systems in desert locust affected countries, including new and improved technologies involving remote sensing, electronic data transmission, global positioning systems, and good survey practices
• Support to national locust control capacities through improved contingency planning, training, provision of equipment and operating resources and the field testing of new, more environmentally friendly control techniques, especially biopesticides.
• Improved desert locust emergency prevention strategies and support to inter-country cooperation and technical assistance on early warning and control of other locust species and other transboundary pests

212A5 - "Mainstreaming IPM" by Enhancing Essential Ecological Processes

349. Objective: IPM becomes, before 2012, the preferred pest management strategy for the majority of member countries, with the farmers field schools becoming the leading model for community-based participatory technology development.

Biennial Outputs

• Case studies of IPM implementation that reduces risks to farmers and consumers, strengthens local and national policy making, including export opportunities under IPPC, WTO and interregional trade arrangements
• Technical guidelines and training of national personnel for risk analysis and management of herbicide resistance and studies on the impact of herbicide resistance
• Technical guidelines for national IPM programmes to adopt ecological concepts in training programmes
• Case studies on successful applications of IPM at local levels linked across communities and also disseminated to national policy makers
• Operational network among national IPM field programmes (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidance to emergency, SPFS and other project activities to ensure sustainable rehabilitation
• Support to expanding national/local IPM programmes, especially in countries covered by the SPFS that sustainably identify, analyze,enhance essential ecological processes through local decision making linked to enabling policy/institutional changes (Reduced in ZRG)
• Technical inputs into environmental analysis of new, including biotechnological, and alternative plant protection options (Reduced in ZRG)

212A8 - Facilitating Plant Production and Protection Decision Making

350. Objective: extension systems ensuring demand-oriented, collaborative and timely delivery of technical advice and planting material, with improved quantity, quality and relevance of technical information and reduced transaction costs during information collection and dissemination.

Biennial Outputs

• Further strategic partnerships developed with data providers (institutions and individual scientists)
• Inter-departmental in house collaboration and interfaces with FAO systems
• Technical information related to phytosanitary issues and EcoPort
• Crop and grassland databases and information
• Publications drawing on crop and grassland databases and information
• Interactive websites on crop and grassland programmes and projects
• Assessment of biotechnology-based applications to meet development needs
• Provision of guidance for increased efficiency of plant breeding programmes in selected developing countries

212A9 - Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources, including through Biotechnology, and Seed Sector Development

351. Objective: wide dissemination and use, as well as conservation of plant genetic resources and related biodiversity, through strengthening of the seed sector and plant breeding capacities at national level, and effective implementation of the GPA for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of PGRFA.

Biennial Outputs

• Survey assessment and consultations on national capacity (strengths and needs) in plant breeding and biotechnology (Reduced in ZRG)
• Publications on sustainable use of PGRFA including guidelines on resource allocation and policy formulation
• An annotated "road map" (decision-support "tool box") on biotechnology- related matters (Reduced in ZRG)
• Policy advice and technical assistance on the use of PGRFA, in particular, plant breeding- and biotechnology-matters
• Case studies on conservation and use of crop and crop associated biodiversity to sustain agricultural productivity and enhance livelihoods
• Development of indicators for the management of PGRFA and related components of agricultural biodiversity, in support of the CBD (Reduced in ZRG)
• Training and guidelines to promote complementarity between the private, public and informal seed sectors
• Analyses of, and advice to countries on: access and benefit sharing; variety release and seed certification and other policy aspects
• Support to the implementation of the CBD programme of work on agricultural biodiversity
• Methodologies, technical guidance notes, and illustrative case studies on approaches such as seed fairs, farmer field schools, voucher schemes, participatory methods in seed technology, and community-based enterprises
• Analyses of seed systems, their resilience and role in crisis situations, including emergency response measures consistent with long-term seed security and inventories of locally-adapted crop varieties commonly grown in disaster-prone regions
• Case studies on access to and the role of technologies, including biotechnologies, for the conservation and use of PGRFA, including socio-economic aspects, proprietary status, market opportunities and other policy dimensions

212P1 - Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

352. Objective: promote appropriate regulatory frameworks and effective national and international phytosanitary measures for the control of plant pests.

Biennial Outputs

• Standard setting (at least 8 by biennium) through expert working groups to develop draft standards, and through organization of 2 meetings of the Interim Commission on phytosanitary measures and 4 meetings of the Standard Committee (Reduced in ZRG)
• Secretariat Services to IPPC (Reduced in ZRG)
• Support/meetings of regional plant protection organizations (Asia/Pacific Plant Protection Commission and Caribbean Plant Protection Commission), including support for development of regional phytosanitary standards. (Reduced in ZRG)
• Cooperation with WTO, CBD, WHO, World Bank, Codex Alimentarius and OIE on policies, harmonization of information exchange and capacity building
• Cooperation with Regional Plant Protection Organizations
• Internet Phytosanitary "Portal"(IPP) to exchange official information as identified in the IPPC, as a component of a Portal on food safety/animal/plant health, including national and regional training courses to encourage participation (Reduced in ZRG)
• Assistance to national contact points to access the IPP
• Initiation of a regional phytosanitary information system for the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Agreement
• Assistance to countries to strengthen their national phytosanitary services where possible through an integrated approach with animal health and food safety services

212P2 - Pesticide Management

353. Objective: sound and safe pesticide management practices in compliance with international standards.

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines supporting the Revised Version of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides
• Strengthened regional harmonization on pesticide registration in two sub-regions
• Standards on pesticide quality (together with WHO)
• Substantial increase in the number of recommendations for Maximum Residue Levels to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (together with WHO). Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) (Reduced in ZRG)
• Innovative JMPR system that can provide much larger number of MRL recommendations to Codex (Reduced in ZRG)
• Meetings of the Conference of Parties of the Rotterdam Convention and its subsidiary bodies
• Through provision of Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention ( together with UNEP): addition of chemicals to Prior Informed Consent Procedure and mandated information exchange required to implement PIC procedure
• Training workshops on the implementation of the Convention
• Stakeholder meetings to facilitate pesticide disposal
• Technical advice to countries on pesticides and on obsolete pesticides in particular including monitoring of disposal operations
• Training workshops for replacing ozone-depletion pesticides
• Promotion of alternatives to POP pesticides in two regions
• Guidance on the identification of deficiencies in national pesticide control programmes, coupled with technical assistance to countries on the implementation of pesticide management
• Mainstreaming of good pesticide procurement practices in development programmes

212P3 - Migratory Pest Management

354. Objective: regional and inter-regional cooperation and coordination for the management of migratory pests, in particular desert locusts, but also other locusts, grain-eating birds and armyworms.

Biennial Outputs

• Monthly bulletins including forecasts, special alerts and summaries on the desert locust situation and other locust outbreaks, based on reports received from affected countries, and information on rainfall/vegetation from satellites
• Guidelines and methodologies on desert locust control
• Desert locust databases especially the RAMSES system (Development of Reconnaissance and Management System of the Environment of Schistocerca) introduced in affected countries as a tool to improve analysis of desert locust situation and an aid to decision making.
• Installation of the rapid Locust data transmission system (eLocust) in the Western Region and the Central Region
• Policy and technical decisions on standardized methodologies on improved desert locust management, research priorities and inter-country programmes
• Secretariat to the Desert Locust Control Committee, including meeting of the Committee and its technical group and the Pesticide Referee Group
• Secretariat to the three Regional Desert Locust Commissions, including meetings of the Locust Commissions
• Technical support to national migratory pest projects and supervision of FAO coordinated/assisted migratory pest emergency operations

212P4 - Technical Support to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

355. Objective: to assist parties in implementing the Treaty and its supporting components (the Global Plan of Action, international ex situ collections, PGRFA networks, and the global information system), hence contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, facilitated access to these resources and the sharing of benefits derived from their use.

Biennial Outputs

• Thematic studies on, and indicators for, genetic diversity erosion and/or vulnerability feeding into preparations of the second report on the State of the World's PGRFA
• Facilitating mechanism to assist countries in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA (Reduced in ZRG)
• Technical and operational support to the International Network of ex situ collections under the auspices of FAO, including the negotiation of new agreements with institutions and countries
• Updated country-driven assessments of state of plant genetic resources
• World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS) with an integrated Seed Information System (SIS) and an on-line, interactive information system to facilitate the monitoring of the GPA implementation and the assessment of the State of the World's PGRFA
• Technical and operational support to the Seed Security Networks
• Preparation of documents and studies as requested by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) and its Intergovernmental Working Group on PGRFA

212P5 - Support to Strategy Formulation and Promotion of Specific Action for Rice Development in Member Countries of the International Rice Commission (IRC)

356. Objective: adjustment of national rice development programmes, and wide implementation of the Commission's recommendations aimed at increasing rice production on a sustainable and environmentally-friendly basis.

Biennial Outputs

• Preparations for 21st Session of the International Rice Commission (to be held in Peru in March 2006)
• Coordination of rice activities among FAO technical units and support to the inter-regional cooperative Network on rice production systems
• Implementation of the Commission's recommendations on hybrid rice, rice integrated crop management (Rice Check) and NERICA rice
• Dissemination of information on technological innovations, issues, constraints and opportunities of various rice production agro-ecosystems, and capacity building
• Harmonization and facilitation of the implementation of the IYR at all levels
• Technical support for the formulation of national strategies and programmes for sustainable rice production within member countries.
• Increase in knowledge and provision of information on the key issues regarding sustainable rice production.

212S1 - Advice to Countries and Support to Field Programme

357. Objective: technical advice and backstopping to strengthen the crop sector.

Biennial Outputs

• Support to national development programmes, including projects under the SPFS and other field projects, under the broad range of disciplines, including seeds, addressed by the crops programme
• Support to emergency and relief activities

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels

The substantial increase in resources for entity 212P1 to support the implementation of the IPPC would be partially reduced under ZRG. However, use of resources from arrears is to cover one-time costs relating to the development of, and access to, the International Phytosanitary Portal and the accelerated pace of standard setting. There would be a slight reduction in the outputs of 212A9 for the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, and under 212P4 for technical support to the IT-PGRFA. The contribution to national IPM programmes, including technical support to the field programme, would be reduced under entity 212A5, as well as work on pesticides under 212P2.

Extra-budgetary Resources

358. A project funded by the United Nations Foundation will support the development of governance arrangements, the legal framework and a fund raising campaign for the newly established Global Crop Diversity Trust (ex-Global Conservation Trust), which is in line with the financial strategy of the IT-PGRFA (212P4). A global GEF project will contribute to the management of pollinators for seed production and sustainable agriculture, under the umbrella of crop-associated biodiversity and the GPA. Donor assistance is expected to support the activities of the International Rice Commission and the International Year of Rice (212P5). Extra-budgetary resources will be sought for a global survey on national capacities in plant breeding and biotechnology to set priorities to enhance crop improvement (212A9).

359. As regards EMPRES (212A4), Phase II of the programme within the Central Region is coming to an end in December 2003. A Phase III proposal is under preparation. Furthermore, several donors have indicated their interest to extend the EMPRES Programme to four countries in the Western Region. Countries will cooperate to prevent and control Desert Locust outbreaks through the Desert Locust Control Committee and three sub-regional commissions, all supported by trust funds provided by the locust-affected countries (212P3).

360. The IPM facility (212A5) will need to receive fresh funding for projects aimed at reducing reliance on agricultural pesticide use through pilot activities at field level, policy studies and planning of national IPM implementation. An IPM programme for Western Corn Rootworm in Central and Eastern Europe is to operate in the next biennium, and in all likelihood also a regional IPM Programme in the Near East.

361. The UNEP/FAO Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention will, in part, continue to be financed through a UNEP-administered trust fund. Technical support to facilitate pesticide disposal and the introduction of preventive measures to avoid obsolete pesticide stocks will be pursued, especially in Africa, through the multi-donor, multi-agency, African Stockpile Programme (212P2). Countries will also be assisted to evaluate their national phytosanitary capacity with the aim of formulating improvement programmes (212P1). A Multilateral Trust Fund will support developing countries’ participation in the IPPC international standard setting process.

Programme 2.1.3: Livestock

362. The programme seeks to facilitate the fast expanding and changing global livestock sector and to clarify its contributions to food security, food safety, poverty alleviation and the sustainable use of the natural resource base involved in animal production. Placing the livestock sector in an international public goods context, and with substantial extra-budgetary resources, the Programme addresses the information, analysis and policy requirements in the livestock sector, with major emphasis on the enhancement of its contribution to poverty alleviation.

363. In addition to the above, the component entities cover: transboundary animal disease control (EMPRES-Livestock) where, in association with the International Office of Epizootics (OIE), a global framework for the progressive control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and of other transboundary animal diseases will be pursued; veterinary public health, food and feed safety and zoonoses; environmental management of insect-borne diseases, including PAAT and support to PATTEC; and sustainable resource use in both intensifying and in extensive animal production systems. The programme will assist countries in the preparation of the First Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources and in the definition of priority actions for improved utilisation and conservation of these resources.

213A3 - Contribution of Livestock to Poverty Alleviation

364. Objective: improved techniques for livestock husbandry and health, animal product processing and market access used in programmes aiming at poor farm households; national poverty reduction strategies increasingly addressing potential improvements in small-scale animal husbandry.

Biennial Outputs

• The Livestock Development Report - an updated series of analyses, case studies, strategies and best management practices. (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines to assist countries in coping with natural and man-made disasters affecting domestic livestock and to alleviate the impact of the HIV Aids pandemic
• An interactive forum, including international networks, addressing livestock and poverty alleviation issues
• Technical contributions and support to the project GCP/INT/804/UK (Pro-poor Livestock Policy Facility)
• Review and assessment of innovative technologies for value-added milk processing and for reducing post-harvest losses for use by the small-scale dairy sector, both formal and informal (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines and strategies for incorporation of value-added milk and dairy products processing and distribution in poverty reduction (PRSPs) and food security (SPFS) strategies
• Networks on small-scale milk and dairy products processing and marketing for milk producer groups and the small-scale dairy sector
• Guidelines and case studies for empowering communities to gain access to livestock goods and services (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines, case studies and best management practices for the development of the Livestock Farmer Field School approach

213A5 - Developing the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources

365. Objective: to improve the management and conservation of farm animal genetic resources at local, country, regional and international levels, including the implementation of priority actions plans and programmes, and the ratification of an international treaty on AnGR.

Biennial Outputs

• Focal points and country networks trained and supported for the preparation of the 1st Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources (SoW-AnGR)
• Issues and priority actions identified for improved utilisation and conservation of AnGR
• Analysis of country reports on the State of the World's AnGR
• Regional syntheses and preparation of regional priority actions for AnGR (Reduced in ZRG)
• Arrangements for global synthesis of regional reports (Reduced in ZRG)
• Dissemination of AnGR monitoring and emergency managing tools and support to policy formulation
• Country data supplemented by technical studies on AnGR and environment interactions, valuation of AnGR and emergency management
• Interregional analysis of impacts of gene migration and trade on AnGR
• Decision support tools for conservation and sustainable use of AnGR
• Documentation and progress reports to the 3rd Session of the Inter-governmental Working Group on AnGR of the CGRFA
• Progress reports on the development of the Global Strategy on the Management of AnGR to the 10th Session of the CGRFA

213A6 - Veterinary Public Health Management and Food and Feed Safety

366. Objective: national veterinary public health structures are established or strengthened for the control of priority zoonotic diseases.

Biennial Outputs

• Global Information Portal on Veterinary Public Health and Education
• Global and regional networks for prevention, contingency planning and risk assessment of zoonotic diseases and food borne diseases (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines on appropriate control measures and best preventive strategies for zoonotic diseases
• National and regional capacity building for surveillance, diagnostics and control of zoonotic diseases (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobials and antiparasitic drugs
• Global information portal on animal source foods and food and feed safety
• Guidelines on safety in the food chain and quality control mechanisms for primary production, animal feed, and the milk and meat industries
• National and regional capacity building for implementation of guidelines for safe animal feeding, milk and meat hygiene (Reduced in ZRG)
• Risk analysis tools and mechanisms developed to ensure biosecurity with respect to animal health and life, public health and the environment

213A7 - EMPRES - Livestock

367. Objective: effective national and regional control and eradication strategies and capabilities for transboundary animal diseases, and enhanced emergency planning by member countries to prevent and/or limit the spread of TADs.

Biennial Outputs

• Transboundary Animal Disease Information System (TADinfo) for use at regional, national and sub-national levels (Reduced in ZRG)
• Complete set of manuals for recognition of the major transboundary animal diseases (TADs) available in paper and electronic form and Good Emergency Management guide updated
• Global early warning system for TADs in collaboration with OIE and WHO (Reduced in ZRG)
• Epidemiological data from animal disease emergencies analysed and information on trends disseminated to member countries, including through publication of the EMPRES Bulletin (Reduced in ZRG)
• Computer-based tools for early reaction to, and management of disease outbreaks (Reduced in ZRG)
• Disease specific guidelines for emergency response
• Assistance to member countries with analysis of emergencies and advice on formulating control options (Reduced in ZRG)
• Emergency preparedness planning procedures established and communicated to international fora
• Support to World Reference Laboratories for morbilliviruses, FMD and CBPP
• Diagnostic guidelines for TADs
• Quality-assured primary diagnosis and surveillance techniques transferred to countries (Reduced in ZRG)
• Monitoring mechanism for epidemiologically significant events to detect possible re-emergence and/or spread of rinderpest from known or undetected reservoirs of infection (Reduced in ZRG)
• GREP Technical Consultations to guide progress towards global freedom
• Promotional and technical material for GREP
• Mechanism for technical coordination of national and regional GREP activities (Reduced in ZRG)
• Global framework for the progressive control of FMD and other TADs, established in close collaboration with the OIE (Reduced in ZRG)
• International consultations for the assessment and guidance of EMPRES in TAD control and eradication (Reduced in ZRG)
• CBPP control strategy for Africa through regular international consultations
• Support to regional disease control programmes
• Outcomes of the regular sessions of the EUFMD, its Executive Committee and of the Research Group communicated to stakeholders

213A8 - Technologies and Systems for Efficient Natural Resource Use in Livestock Production

368. Objective: policies are implemented to foster livestock development while protecting public health and the environment; national veterinary and livestock services and other grass-root projects promote GAPs for intensive and semi-intensive livestock systems.

Biennial Outputs

• Decision-support tools for the assessment of policy and technology options addressing livestock's role in the deforestation process
• Decision-support tools for the assessment of policy and technology options addressing the role of grazing livestock in the degradation of common property resources
• Decision-support tools for the assessment of policy and technology options addressing the role of industrial livestock production in land and water pollution
• Decision-support tools for the assessment of policy and regulatory options addressing the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the control of animal diseases
• Global information portal on Good Agricultural Practices for livestock
• Guidelines on good agricultural practices for intensive and semi-intensive livestock, including feeding, breeding, production, health and integrated parasite control, product processing and distribution
• National and regional capacity building for the implementation of good agricultural practices for intensive and semi-intensive livestock production and meat and milk processing (Reduced in ZRG)
• National and regional capacity building for the implementation of good agricultural practices for the prevention and control of pesticide parasite resistance and environmental contamination (Reduced in ZRG)
• Strategies and decision support techniques formulated to enhance public and private sector livestock extension and veterinary services
• Strategies and decision support techniques field-tested and validated in private sector livestock extension and veterinary services (Reduced in ZRG)

213A9 - Environmental Management of Insect Borne Diseases

369. Objective: adjustments in the production, processing and trade environment, making it safer, cleaner and less conducive to the transmission of insect borne diseases such as trypanosomiasis and screwworm.

Biennial Outputs

• Support to Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis management programmes in the PAAT-PATTEC agreed priority areas in East and West Africa
• Secretariat of PAAT (including statutory bodies, information tools)
• Assessment of disease spread in the "Eurasian Ruminant Street" and related regional capacity building (Reduced in ZRG)
• Analysis of the relationship between climate change, agro-ecology, livestock and disease in Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean Basin and environmental disease management strategies (Reduced in ZRG)

213B1 - Livestock Sector Analysis and Strategy Development

370. Objective: enhanced awareness among civil society and decision makers of the hidden costs of livestock revolution, leading to public policy changes in favour of fair livestock farming, and public goods such as equity, public health and the environment.

Biennial Outputs

• Regional Livestock Sector Perspective Studies (Reduced in ZRG)
• Decision-support tools and methodologies for the assessment of the social and environmental impacts of various livestock policy options
• Specific pro-poor livestock policy measures tested in different agro-ecological and socio-economic settings
• Guidelines on policy uptake pathways
• Effective dialogue supported for the integration of environmental and animal health issues, and equity and distributional aspects into national policy formulation and international harmonization

213P1 - Global Livestock Information System and Knowledge Framework

371. Objective: improved decision making at local, national, regional and international level with respect to livestock policies and technologies that enhance livelihoods and income opportunities for small-scale livestock producers while at the same time promoting sustainable natural resource use.

Biennial Outputs

• Livestock Knowledge Framework as a comprehensive set of technical information and guidelines on livestock production and health (Reduced in ZRG)
• AGRIPPA electronic journal and posting of reviews, scientific and extension information in the FAO Document Repository
• Support to regional networks, information systems and websites
• Data and knowledge bases, GIS layers and information dissemination tools on livestock production, disease, animal genetic resources and livestock - poverty, livestock - environment interactions
• Decision support and modelling tools for livestock development planning
• Contribution to the development of a new database for food and agricultural statistics (STAT2000) (livestock component)

213S1 - Advice to Member Countries and Support to the Field Programme

372. Objective: stronger, more resilient national livestock sectors

Biennial Outputs

• Advice to member countries and field programme support (Reduced in ZRG)
• Technical backstopping to projects on animal health and veterinary services development
• Technical backstopping to SPFS on all aspects of livestock development and animal production
• Technical support to emergency and relief operations with regard to animal production and livestock development

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels

Reductions under 213A3 would slow down progress in the dissemination of information, technology options and organisational/institutional mechanisms for enabling poor livestock farmers to escape poverty. 213A7 (EMPRES - Livestock) would suffer from more limited capacity to effectively use animal disease intelligence for early warning and early response procedures in support of countries in the event of outbreaks of transboundary animal diseases. The Global Rinderpest Eradication Programme (GREP) would not be adequately supported in the crucial phase of the verification process for freedom from this virus, leading up to the intended FAO declaration of global disease eradication in 2010. Reductions under 213A9 would diminish FAO's support to PATTEC in concert with PAAT approaches for integrated control, particularly in West Africa. The exploration of novel approaches for the explanation and management of animal disease and the spread of zoonoses in the light of climate change would be slowed down. Technical assistance to member countries, activities in professional capacity building, information services, upscaling of technologies, spread of good practices and pro-poor livestock policies would be negatively affected.

Extra-budgetary Resources

373. Several entities are expected to benefit from additional resources made available under various strategic partnership agreements with several donors to support the normative activities of the Organization. These are in particular: 213A3 (Contribution of Livestock to Poverty Alleviation), 213B1 (Livestock Sector Analysis and Strategy Development) and 213P1(Global Livestock Information System and Knowledge Framework), which benefit in particular from the Department for International Development (DFID) funded Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Facility.

374. Entity 213A3 is also to benefit from work on sustainable management of milk and dairy product safety for resource-poor livestock owners under the Prevention of Food Losses (PFL) Programme in Africa and the Near East. Entity 213A5 (Developing the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources) is receiving support through the FAO-Netherlands Partnership Programme. Entity 213B1 (Livestock Sector Analysis and Strategy Development) will have GEF funding for the preparation of a major regional livestock waste management programme in South-East Asia.

375. Negotiations with the Government of Switzerland are at an advanced stage for extra-budgetary support for a bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) surveillance programme under 213A6 (Veterinary Public Health Management Food and Feed Safety), while this entity also receives considerable US and European Community (EC) support in the Caribbean region for the tropical bont tick eradication project. Technical assistance is provided to the epidemiology component of the Pan African Programme for the Control of Epizootics (PACE) with support from the EC. Entity 213A7 (EMPRES - Livestock) is likely to receive support from the Governments of Italy and Saudi Arabia through the FAO Trust Fund for Food Security. In addition, the EC continues to provide substantial support in the context of the activities of the European Commission for Foot and Mouth Disease (EUFMD) in Europe and surrounding areas.

Programme 2.1.4: Agricultural Support Systems

376. The programme facilitates an enabling environment for competitive commercial farmers and enterprises contributing to the supply of food and agricultural products. Support is provided to enhancing entrepreneurial skills and agribusiness development to ensure provision of support services to farmers including marketing, finance, rural infrastructure services, input supply, mechanization and post harvest handling, processing and storage. Other aspects include: meeting urban food needs through efficient food distribution systems as well as enhancing food quality and safety through technical interventions during handling, processing, storage and marketing; information systems for agricultural services – financial, post harvest management and marketing; and fostering full involvement of women and the growth of rural enterprise.

377. The entities are designed, bearing in mind the need to:

1. enhance the capacity of public and private sectors, as well as civil society organizations, to serve small scale farmers and promote income generation in the context of agricultural commercialization and globalization;
2. enable national and local government institutions to recognize and address problems of food insecurity arising from rapid urbanization, including food distribution and marketing in the context of rural-urban linkages;
3. support organizations dealing with rural infrastructure services, agricultural input supply, as well as those involved in output marketing to more efficiently and competitively provide services to small and medium scale farmers;
4. advise governments and civil society organizations (e.g. trading boards, business associations, Non-governmental Organizations [NGOs] supporting small enterprises) regarding enabling policies and institutional frameworks, information and training requirements for an expanding small-enterprise sector;
5. assess and disseminate improved technologies for handling, processing, packaging, storage, transportation and marketing for improved quality and safer agricultural products;
6. support countries in data collection, information access, decision making, and formulation of policies for agricultural support services such as agricultural mechanization, financial services, agro-industries and rural structures and services.

214A1 - Enhancing Small Farmer Livelihoods

378. Objective: to improve the support provided by public sector and civil society organizations to small farmers, including adjustments in their livelihood strategies, improved farm business management and income generation in the context of agricultural commercialisation and globalisation.

Biennial Outputs

• Materials on strategies and supportive policies for increasing small farmer competitiveness and income opportunities in relation to globalisation and market liberalization
• Guidelines and 'toolkits' for formulation of small farm income and alternative livelihoods programmes
• Materials and workshops on small farmer production for export
• Strategies for enhancing livelihoods of highly vulnerable farm-households, particularly in HIV/AIDS and drought affected areas (Eliminated in ZRG)
• Technical, economic and environmental appraisals of new income-generating and value-adding activities at the farm and community level (Reduced in ZRG)
• Promotional booklets on opportunities to increase farm and non-farm income
• Information on farmer opportunities in less favourable economic and environmental situations (Eliminated in ZRG)
• Field guides for extension workers (farmer record keeping, profitability appraisal, risk management) (Reduced in ZRG)
• Regional training strategies and training manuals in farm planning and management (Reduced in ZRG)
• Modules on farm planning, financial management, resource sharing, market analysis and profitability appraisal for farmer groups and farmer field schools
• Guideline on field mechanisation strategies and policies incorporating engineering and economic considerations
• Information and guides on appropriate household level post harvest technologies incorporating engineering and economic considerations
• Review and information materials on farm and rural transport in Asia with particular attention to farm-marketing linkages
• Assessment of performance and impact of rural enterprise development services and farm management advisory services (Reduced in ZRG)
• Field guides to reinforce marketing, financial and advisory services provision by farmer organizations, cooperatives and other civil society organizations

214A2 - Meeting Urban Food Needs

379. Objective: government and municipal authorities made aware of the need to improve food supply and distribution systems for urban food security and of possible solutions. Extension staff using techniques and options to promote value-added processing, to reduce post-harvest losses and to increase urban and peri-urban food production.

Biennial Outputs

• Planning guidelines for enhancing rural urban linkages
• Guidelines to address the impacts of modern fresh food distribution systems
• Information and training material to sensitize and enhance capacity of local authorities to address urban food security issues (Reduced in ZRG)
• Workshops to promote action and assist in identifying policies and programmes to help improve access to food by low-income urban households (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines on improved low cost, small scale food processing in urban and peri-urban settings
• Publication on the economics of peri-urban livestock keeping in Africa
• Farm economics handbook on peri-urban farming

214A3 - Sustainable Commercial Provision of Input Supply, Mechanisation, Investment Support and Marketing Services

380. Objective: increased choice and supply of inputs for farmers; improved marketing services for farmers; increased competition among suppliers of inputs and services leading to more favourable pricing.

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines on enhancing the access of producers and processors to domestic and international markets (Reduced in ZRG)
• Strategies and policies to support private-sector provision of marketing services
• Strategies for fostering appropriate decentralised financial services for small farmers and rural households
• Publication on impact and implementation of farm input marketing liberalization in Africa
• Guidance on policies and strategies for the provision and utilisation of appropriate agricultural mechanisation services and inputs
• Information and guidance on the supply chain (manufacture, distribution and retailing) of farm machinery, tools and equipment
• MicroBanking system standardization, promotion and related training (Reduced in ZRG)
• Knowledge management system for CABFIN (capacity building in rural finance) (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines and training material for financial institutions on appraisal of term finance proposals
• Support to regional rural finance networks and workshops on rural finance issues (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidelines for improvement of the provision of commercial marketing services
• Field guides related to government support services in agricultural marketing
• Support to regional agricultural marketing networks and workshops on agricultural marketing issues (Reduced in ZRG)

214A4 - Agribusiness Development Targeted to Small and Medium Post-production Enterprises

381. Objective: small and medium scale enterprises and entrepreneurs in member countries have increased capacity and efficiency to offer consumers food and agricultural products through sustainable and profitable agribusiness ventures.

Biennial Outputs

• Handbook for agricultural processors on successful business management
• Training and decision support material on small and medium-scale enterprise management (Reduced in ZRG)
• Strategies and guidelines for developing extension services for agribusiness and post-production enterprises
• Practical manuals and training guides on appropriate and profitable technologies and their implementation in small and medium enterprises (Reduced in ZRG)
• Technical and marketing studies on post-production technologies for non-traditional products including organic foods and products of beneficial insects (Reduced in ZRG)
• Training material to enhance the capacity of farmer associations to become agribusiness intermediaries
• Workshops to promote and develop farm-agribusiness linkage programmes (Reduced in ZRG)
• Study on factors affecting the profitability and competitiveness of small and medium-scale enterprises
• Guidelines on post-production logistical arrangements in order to facilitate developing country export
• Assessment of needs and policy alternatives for improved support of post-production enterprises (Reduced in ZRG)

214A9 - Enhancing Food Quality and Safety by Strengthening Handling, Processing and Marketing in the Food Chain

382. Objective: concrete, economically-feasible and environmentally-sound measures taken at the technical level to enhance food quality and safety during handling, processing, packaging, storage, transportation and marketing

Biennial Outputs

• Studies on priorities for assuring food quality and safety in the handling, processing and marketing food chain (Reduced in ZRG)
• Review and appraisal of methodologies for evaluating problems and improving quality and safety in developing countries
• Guidelines and strategies for governments and organizations on feasible and cost-effective management systems for improving food quality, safety and competitiveness in developing countries (Reduced in ZRG)
• Assessment and promotion of cost-effective technologies and good practices for improving quality and safety in product handling, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, and marketing (Reduced in ZRG)

214P2 - Agricultural Services - Data and Information Systems

383. Objective: enhanced capacity in countries for data collection, information access, and decision making in agriculture.

Biennial Outputs

• Standards and Codes of Conduct for Agricultural Tools and Machinery (Reduced in ZRG)
• Global Information and Data on Farm Power and Mechanization (Reduced in ZRG)
• New modules for the INPho Website on food quality and safety for new products and on marketing (Reduced in ZRG)
• Coverage of new products in INPho (organic foods and standards, orphan crops, niche markets, etc..) (Reduced in ZRG)
• Further development and maintenance of agricultural and rural finance (AgriBank-Stat) database
• Internet information platform for farm and farming systems economics (InFarm) (Reduced in ZRG)
• Budget data for selected farm enterprises and commodities (Reduced in ZRG)

214S1 - Field Programme Support and Advisory Services to Countries

384. Objective: provision of technical advice and backstopping on the provision of efficient and effective support services.

Biennial Outputs

• Field programme support on agricultural management, marketing and rural finance
• Field programme support on agricultural mechanization, food and agro-industries
• Direct advisory services to countries on agricultural management, marketing and rural finance
• Direct advisory services to countries on agricultural mechanization, food and agro-industries
• Technical support and training related to planning, monitoring and evaluation in the SPFS (Reduced in ZRG)
• Technical support relating to provision of services in emergency programmes, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan (Reduced in ZRG)

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels

Less resources for publications would lead to fewer guidelines and associated dissemination of information useful to stakeholders in member countries. Also under 214A1, work on strategies for increasing farm income in marginal areas would not be initiated. Under 214P2, the development of improved quality and safety standards for pesticide application equipment would be curtailed. Insufficient resources for field programme support and direct advisory services to member countries, under programme entity 214S1, would affect areas such as agricultural marketing and agribusiness, rural financial services, as well as mechanization and agro industries.

Extra-budgetary Resources

385. The programme will provide technical support to the Socio-Economic Development Programme for the Transborder Onchocerciasis-Freed Zone of Burkina-Faso and Ghana, funded by Belgium. One of the objectives is to reinforce cooperation modalities between the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the OCP/NEPAD countries at transnational, national and local levels in order to ensure food security and significant rural household income improvement in a sustainable manner.

386. In addition, several entities are expected to benefit from extra-budgetary resources made available by various donor agencies. These are for enhancing commercial and support services to small scale farmers in rural financial services and agricultural marketing systems under 214A3, the development of sericulture activities in 214A1 and 214A4, livelihoods diversification in 214A1, and small and medium scale agro-enterprises in 214A3 and 214A4.

Programme 2.1.5: Agricultural Applications of Isotopes
and Biotechnology

387. This programme is implemented jointly with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and includes research, training and other services from the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory at Seibersdorf, near Vienna. Its two TPs and one CP seek to strengthen country capacities for realizing the potential offered by nuclear techniques and biotechnology to improve and diversify crop and livestock systems and to ensure food quality and safety.

388. Working closely with Programmes 2.1.1, 2.1.2, 2.1.3, 2.1.4 and 2.2.1, the programme gives emphasis to the prediction of crop water productivity, to the study of carbon sequestration, water and nutrient dynamics in conservation farming systems, and to the use and comparative assessment of isotope and molecular methods as tests for identifying crops with drought and salinity tolerance. It will continue to foster the adoption of the sterile insect technique (SIT) against fruit flies, focusing on the quality assurance aspects of mass production and release. It will complete work on methods for differentiating between animals vaccinated and naturally infected with FMD, support a global serological survey to determine progress in GREP, develop with OIE a procedure for validating and certifying diagnostic assays for animal infectious diseases, and provide scientific and policy guidance on the use of SIT within PATTEC.

389. With the adoption of IPPC guidelines on irradiation as a phytosanitary treatment and of a revised Codex standard on food irradiation, work on food irradiation will be restricted to providing science-based information. Development and transfer of methods for end-product testing for food contaminants and residues will give way to development of systems for using analytical methods to refine good agricultural practices and tracing back non-compliant products. Assistance will also be given to countries for preparing and responding to nuclear or radiological emergencies.

215A1 - Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-Building

390. Objective: advanced technologies, products and practices for soil, water and nutrients analysis, crop germplasm improvement and risk assessment and management of major trade-related pests, used by National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS) and plant protection authorities, and transferred to extension services, NGOs and concerned projects.

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines for determining C stocks and balance in crop and pasture systems
• Guidelines for determining N fertilizer efficiency and N balance in cropping systems
• Methodologies for determining crop water productivity
• Improved national capacities for pilot-testing and demonstrating integrated soil, water and nutrient management practices
• Protocols for molecular characterisation of mutated genes and plant genetic resources for selection of germplasm (Reduced in ZRG)
• Cellular, molecular biology and induced mutation methodologies for banana improvement
• Database on officially released mutant varieties
• Analysis of the global impact of mutation-derived varieties
• Training and infrastructure stengthening for integrating modern biotechnologies in national plant breeding programmes
• Guidelines for production, handling and shipping of natural enemies
• Guidelines for quality assurance of mass produced and released fruit flies in area-wide intervention programmes (Reduced in ZRG)
• Draft standard on transboundary shipment of sterile insects
• Manual for assessing the economic returns of fruit fly SIT programmes
• New and improved procedures for SIT application against moth pest insects
• Improved national and regional capacities for planning and implementing area-wide SIT interventions

215A2 - Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-building

391. Objective: improved livestock productivity and safer livestock products through technologies and strategies that increase feed conversion and reproductive efficiencies and lead to progressive control of major diseases and insect vectors.

Biennial Outputs

• Proceedings of an International Symposium on gene-based technologies for improving animal production and health (Reduced in ZRG)
• Manual on gene-based technologies in animal nutrition and genetics
• Guidelines for improving artificial breeding of cattle in Africa
• Training on assessing and more efficiently managing feed resources, breeding and local genotypes
• Results from serological surveys in support of GREP and information on diagnostic assays and reagents for EMPRES diseases, including reference DNA and serum banks (Reduced in ZRG)
• Validated methods for separating vaccinated from naturally infected FMD animals and for assessing the effectiveness of vaccination strategies against Newcastle disease in village poultry
• Manual for sampling and analysis of veterinary drugs in meat and milk
• Advice to the OIE Standards Committee on validation criteria for diagnostic assays and accreditation of laboratories
• Training and capacity building for managing transboundary livestock diseases
• Technologies and guidelines for area-wide decision making on tsetse interventions in Africa
• Validated methods for determining mating compatibility and for defining tsetse populations genetically
• Results from international network on screwworm population genetics
• Support to the PAAT and PATTEC
• Institutional capacity building for planning and implementing interventions

215P1 - Capacity Building and Risk Analysis Methodologies for Compliance with Food Safety Standards and Pesticide Control and Strengthened Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures through Irradiation of Food and Agricultural Commodities

392. Objective: greater ability of food control laboratories in developing countries to sample and analyse products for residues and contaminants covered by Codex standards; greater adherence to good agricultural and manufacturing practices.

Biennial Outputs

• Training modules and courses covering the areas of pesticide residues, mycotoxins and radionuclides analysis and pesticide formulation control (Reduced in ZRG)
• Guidance documents on: sampling plans for field surveys; estimating uncertainty of sampling and results of analysis of pesticide residues and mycotoxins; testing the stability of pesticide residues
• Regularly updated web-based International Food Contaminant and Residues Information System (INFOCRIS), also available on CD-ROM (Reduced in ZRG)
• Training of analysts and policy makers through workshops, networks and field projects on principles of quality management and good analytical and agricultural practices, and procedures that support laboratory accreditation for analysis of food contaminants and residues
• Training on joint FAO/IAEA Action Plan for preparing and responding to nuclear or radiological emergencies in relation to food and agriculture
• Publication on the effectiveness of the food irradiation process in ensuring the hygienic quality of fresh, minimally processed foods of plant origin
• Publication on effectiveness of irradiation for ensuring quarantine security against insect pests in food and agricultural products
• Training of food control and plant quarantine personnel and provision of regularly updated science-based information on food irradiation

Impact of ZRG Resource Levels

Under entity 215A1, work on molecular methods for identifying genes and genotypes for resistance to drought and salinity would be reduced, as would the planned guidelines for mass producing and releasing sterile fruit flies for creation of fly-free zones or areas of low pest prevalence. For entity 215A2, language coverage of the proceedings of an international symposium on gene-based technologies for improving livestock production and health would be reduced, as would country coverage of the serological survey to confirm freedom from rinderpest. Training modules on analysis and sampling of food contaminants and residues and the information made available through the International Food Contaminant and Residues Information System, would be scaled down under entity 215P1.

Extra-budgetary Resources

393. IAEA’s contribution is foreseen at around US$ 23 million, including the FAO/IAEA Agriculture and Biotechnology Laboratory at Seibersdorf. The programme will also continue to provide technical services to projects and training courses in all areas, funded through the IAEA technical cooperation programme with an estimated value of US$ 29 million. These are not shown in the following table as they are recorded in the accounts of the IAEA. In addition, the programme benefits from resources available through two PFL projects for promoting good pesticide and veterinary drug management practices, and through EC support for work on better diagnostics within PACE.

Programme 2.1.9: Programme Management

394. This programme covers the immediate Office of Assistant Director-General (AGD), including the Programme Coordination Unit (AGDP), the offices of the division directors and those parts of Regional Office direction attributable to this major programme. The increase in programme management under 219S1 results from a technical adjustment in the distribution of the Management Support Service (MSS) of AFD.