Development problem to be addressed:

527.     The conservation of natural resources and protection of the environment are essential in reducing rural poverty and food insecurity. This requires better coordination of national, regional and global efforts toward integrated approaches to issues such as biodiversity, climate change, and desertification.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

528.     International environmental agreements provide a common forum for countries to harmonize and integrate their policies and programmes related to the sustainable management of their natural resources.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

529.     Rural communities and national analysts and policymakers will benefit from the conservation of their biodiversity, mitigation and adaptation to climate change and reduction of dryland degradation.

530.     Thanks to the integration of cross sectoral issues (e.g., biodiversity, climate change, desertification, organic farming, energy, ecosystem management), decision makers at national and sub-national levels will formulate or improve policies for management of natural resources.

Major Output(s)

• Secretariat of FAO's inter-departmental activities on the three international conventions to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Coordination of cross-sectoral activities linked to organic agriculture, energy, integrated ecosystem management and follow-up of Agenda 21
• Policy guidelines on priority environmental issues
• Capacity building and advisory services to countries on high-priority environmental issues
• Multi-lateral environmental agreements
• Global terrestrial observing system (GTOS)
• Integrated natural resources management

Indicator(s)

• Countries implementing national policies that integrate environmental issues in agriculture, due to FAO's support and capacity building efforts.
• Countries implementing national programmes that integrate environmental issues in agriculture due to FAO support and capacity-building.

Development problem to be addressed:

531.     Illiteracy is strongly correlated to poverty and hunger and is mainly a rural phenomenon which hinders rural development, threatens productivity and health and limits the opportunities to improve livelihoods. The weaknesses of basic education services in rural areas are related to the fact that many countries still lack capacities to formulate policies and the experience needed to plan and deliver effective services for rural people. Increased demand for policy advice and technical assistance in such areas is likely to stem from the lead role assigned to FAO by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, Johannesburg 2002) regarding the Education for Rural People (ERP) initiative.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

532.     Policies and programmes to increase access to relevant and adequate basic educational services in rural areas will directly and positively contribute to improve productivity, food security and livelihoods of rural people. To ensure managerial efficiency, flexibility and visibility to the ERP initiative, the new entity will: mainstream Education for Rural People (ERP) within national rural development and education plans; mobilize the political will and build the capacity of policy makers and managers within ministries of agriculture and of education and youth to increase access to quality basic education services for rural people; and network with civil society, UN agencies and other multi- and bilateral organizations in fostering ERP.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

533.     Rural people with special emphasis on women and girls living in developing countries and countries in transition. Ministries of Agriculture and Education will also benefit in their capacity to plan and manage basic education services.

534.     Appropriate national policies and strategies aimed at strengthening basic education services for rural people.

Major Output(s)

• Capacity building, policies and advocacy of Education for Rural People (ERP)
• Consolidation of ERP Partnerships as follow-up to WSSD
• Support to national youth development for food security

Indicator(s)

• Number of countries taking specific measures to foster ERP as part of their rural development and education plans and strategies
• Number of members of the ERP partnership initiative

Development problem to be addressed:

535.     Limited access to reliable environmental and natural resource data and tools to analyze and manage this information constrains the ability of national planners, decision makers and scientists to assess environmental conditions and anticipate significant emerging trends at local, national and regional levels. Many developing countries lack capacity to use environmental information management systems and related decision support tools. This has a negative impact on their national development policies and on agriculture sector development.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

536.     Environmental decision support information and tools are necessary for improved land use planning and sustainable agricultural production. Improved quality of, and access to information (e.g. on gender, demography, ecosystem change, land quality issues, water availability, biodiversity, climate change) facilitates assessment, analysis, and decision making in rural development, and consequently supports a dynamic agricultural development process. The entity is geared to provide these tools.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

537.     Decision makers in ministries of agriculture, environment, offices of land use planning and rural development, early warning and disaster preparedness organizations.

538.     Improved access to reliable environmental and natural resource data and tools to assess environmental conditions and anticipate significant emerging trends; increased capacity to use environmental information management systems and related decision support tools.

Major Output(s)

• Geo-spatial information management systems and analytical tools
• Agrometeorology, remote sensing, GIS and land cover databases

Indicator(s)

• National and regional institutions that use environmental and natural resource information in agriculture and land use planning, due to FAO's support and capacity building efforts

Development problem to be addressed:

539.     Agricultural research systems need to become more efficient and more responsive to the changing external environment to support effectively national agricultural development policies. Capacity to access, assess, adapt and disseminate technologies needs to be strengthened.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

540.     The entity will provide technical assistance to strengthen capacities of developing countries in: generating, accessing, adapting, disseminating and promoting the use of technologies; developing adequate biosafety frameworks; taking advantage of advances in biotechnology in agriculture. Capacities in biosafety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the harmonization of regulatory frameworks will also be supported. A wider knowledge base on policy issues related to biotechnology and tools for public awareness and communication in biotechnology will be developed.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

541.     Producers and consumers of food and agricultural products, due to improved nutrition and food safety and reduced environmental impact.

542.     Strengthened national capacities for formulation and implementation of research and technology development policies; priority setting in the agricultural research agendas of developing countries.

Major Output(s)

• Development of national and regional capacities for biosafety of GMOs
• Collection, analysis and dissemination of information relevant for policy formulation and decision-making in biotechnology
• Public awareness and communication in biotechnology
• Mechanisms and tools in support of research and technology development
• Support to international agricultural research systems, fora and networks

Indicator(s)

• Countries with enhanced capacity for formulating and implementing policies for research, technology development, assessment and dissemination.
• Countries with heightened capacity in biosafety and harmonization of regulatory frameworks

Development problem to be addressed:

543.     There is a rapidly growing demand for accurate, up-to-date, and geo-referenced information for environmental assessment and monitoring, and for management and conservation of renewable natural resources. Weakness in national geo-spatial data and information infrastructure prevents most developing countries from using the information that is available to them, thus constraining rural development.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

544.     The ability of FAO member countries to make scientifically-based decisions on environmental protection and integrated natural resources management and to undertake timely interventions is highly dependent on access to relevant geo-spatial information. Decisions and policies based on accurate information lead to improved results and impacts.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

545.     End beneficiaries are disadvantaged farmers and rural populations living in environmentally threatened areas. They will benefit from better policies and planning for sustainable development as a result of better environmental information.

546.     To assist governments as well as international organizations and donor agencies in making timely and effective scientifically-based decisions and formulating policies in relation to the development of food production, natural resources management and the migratory pests situation, through accurate and timely geo-referenced information.

Major Output(s)

• Support to environmental data acquisition and management
• Tools and methodological frameworks for integrated analysis of geo-information
• Monitoring of, and periodic reporting on natural resources conditions and trends

Indicator(s)

• National or international policies and programmes for sustainable food production, poverty alleviation, early warning and environmental management that make explicit reference to FAO's data and models.

Development problem to be addressed:

547.     Farmers and other producers, as well as consumers, require access to timely and appropriate knowledge and information to make informed decisions. Existing information delivery systems for agricultural research, extension and education are often weak, unresponsive to users' needs, not gender-sensitive, and lacking effective mechanisms for interaction.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

548.     Capacity building of agricultural research, extension and education staff in the use of appropriate and adapted information and communication technologies (ICTs) and in participatory communication will enhance their ability to meet the priority information and knowledge needs of male and female farmers. This effort should be also gender-sensitive.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

549.     The end beneficiaries will be male and female farmers, producers and consumers, i.e. from increased and more equitable access to diversified sources of timely information and knowledge that reflects their needs and priorities. In addition, they should gain access to new channels of communication that may enable them to influence development decisions.

550.     To harness the potential of new information and communication technologies to assist countries in addressing major obstacles in agricultural and rural development.

Major Output(s)

• Application of ICTs to the establishment of innovative linkage mechanisms and networks for national agricultural research, extension and education systems
• Conceptual frameworks, methodologies and training materials for ICT applications and content development, distance-learning and information dissemination, and impact assessment
• Support to ICTs for accelerated advancement of rural women and rural girls
• Developing Communication Policies, Strategies and Guidelines for Sustainable Rural Development
• Development and Capacity Building in Communication Methods, Media and Approaches

Indicator(s)

• Examples of countries demonstrating improvements in national research, extension and education systems and information exchange due to their adoption of ICTs.

Development problem to be addressed:

551.     Research is essential for generating the kinds of new policies, technologies and institutions that raise agricultural productivity and help ensure increased, sustainable food and agricultural production in all regions. There are many actors in the global agricultural research system. A key player in this global effort is the CGIAR - a major network of internationally-funded scientific research institutes whose Science Council - jointly funded - is hosted by FAO.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

552.     The Science Council, with technical and logistic support from the Science Council Secretariat, contributes to ensuring the relevance and quality of science in the CGIAR, advises the latter on strategic scientific issues relevant to the Group's goal and mission and helps mobilize the best global scientific expertise for addressing the goals of the international agricultural research community.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

553.     The poor, the malnourished and the hungry--whether rural or urban. All of these can and do benefit from the results of high-quality agricultural research and appropriate scientific solutions to many rural development problems.

554.     Enhanced relevance and improved quality of the CGIAR research organizations and their partners; testing and evaluation of technologies, policies and institutions being researched by the CGIAR & partners; and ultimately, integration of the most promising technologies, policies and institutional innovations into government and non-government agricultural extension efforts.

Major Output(s)

• Advice on CGIAR science policy, priorities and strategy, and resource allocation
• Assessments of relevance and quality of science in the CGIAR through external and peer reviews
• Ex-post impact assessment of CGIAR activities
• Organization and implementation of SC meetings
• Dissemination of information and documentation to SC and CGIAR members and stakeholders of SC decisions, reports, strategic studies and reviews

Indicator(s)

• Examples of joint CGIAR + partner researched and developed technologies, policies and institutional innovations that are widely adopted and that raise productivity to the benefit of large numbers of rural and urban poor.

555.     As this entity largely represents on-demand services to Members which by their nature are difficult to plan in advance, no formulation of rationale and objective is provided.

Major Output(s)

• Assistance in strengthening agricultural research and technology development capabilities leading to improved sustainable production systems and promoting regional and international cooperation
• Programme development, advice and collaboration in extension, education, communication and rural youth
• Technical assistance to member countries for environmentally-sound agricultural development
• Co-ordinated support to the international bodies and undertakings on follow up of Agenda 21, WSSD and relevant cross cutting issues

Indicator(s)

• Number of countries implementing technical assistance, projects and advice
• Number of collaborations with international bodies

Development problem to be addressed:

557.     Knowledge about the gender differences vis-a-vis the management of resources both human and natural is presently lacking in member countries. This gap needs to be filled and documented to assist in the preparation of policies that respond appropriately to the needs of both men and women when dealing with their environment.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

558.     Building and strengthening institutional capacity for gender-responsive and participatory natural resource management planning, and helping with enhanced opportunities for equitable participation of women and men in policy and programme formulation.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

559.     Rural communities and individuals (both women and men), who will see their needs and priorities with regard to natural resources adequately addressed in rural development policies and programmes.

560.     Policies, programmes and projects that ensure gender equality in the distribution and management of natural resources and increased farmers' participation in policy and programme formulation processes.

Major Output(s)

• Gender-responsive methods for natural resources management
• Support for gender-responsive natural resources management policy

Indicator(s)

• Number of countries which have integrated gender in natural resources management policies and strategies, with help from this entity.
• Number of related projects supported by FAO and other agencies which integrated gender sensitive approaches in part thanks to this entity.

Development problem to be addressed:

561.     HIV/AIDS has dramatic implications for food security and rural development efforts, particularly in countries hard hit by the epidemic. Not only does hunger render individuals more vulnerable to HIV infection, but also AIDS-related illness and deaths aggravate food insecurity by decimating labour, savings, and other key household assets. Countries lack the necessary knowledge and institutional capacity to deal with these problems effectively.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

562.     Policies and programmes to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on agriculture and rural development will have a direct positive influence on the agricultural sector in the worst affected countries, improving the livelihoods and food security of AIDS-affected people.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

563.     Institutions working on rural development issues will benefit from having clear understanding of the impact of HIV/AIDS on rural development and the role that agriculture should play in addressing the epidemic. Rural communities and households will benefit from better policies and programmes to mitigate the negative effect of HIV/AIDS on rural livelihoods.

564.     Timely and reliable evidence on the effects of HIV/AIDS on agriculture and food security. Appropriate interventions and policy instruments to counter the effects of HIV/AIDS on the rural and agricultural sector.

Major Output(s)

• Gender-sensitive methodologies, policy and decision support tools on HIV/AIDS
• Technical assistance for HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation

Indicator(s)

• Number of countries formulating AIDS-sensitive agricultural policies with explicit reference to FAO's policy tools and/or assistance.
• Number of countries taking specific measures to mitigate the effects of AIDS on the agriculture sector with explicit reference to FAO's information and/or assistance.

Development problem to be addressed:

565.     Gender issues and population dynamics have many implications for policy and programming decisions regarding agriculture and rural development, and food security and livelihood options, especially for the poorest groups. However, these are not always effectively incorporated into decision-making by governments, NGOs, or civil society organizations. Within FAO itself, there is a need for the development and adaptation of appropriate tools for the integration of gender and population issues, especially concerning the development impacts of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. This entity is designed to facilitate the mainstreaming of gender and population issues into FAO's work and that of its direct clients and partners in Member Nations. While there are many methods and tools for mainstreaming gender and population issues, this entity highlights the special roles of the Socio-economic and Gender Analysis (SEAGA) training programme and the Gender Disaggregated Data (GDD) and Statistics programme for mainstreaming activities both within FAO and Member Nations.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

566.     Mainstreaming of gender and population issues, including HIV/AIDS, in FAO's work and that of its direct clients will lead to more sensitive (and, therefore, more effective) rural development policies and programmes. This will be achieved primarily as a result of awareness-raising, training materials, and improved documentation and databases produced by this entity.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

567.     Primarily the population involved in agriculture and the rural economy, who will benefit from gender and age differentiated priorities and needs' assessments in rural areas.

568.     FAO staff and government, NGO and civil society counterparts will be able to utilize gender and population information, including about HIV/AIDS, in support of national and sub-national policy and programme planning and decision making. The enhanced capacity to utilize the SEAGA methods and tools, as well as sex and age disaggregated data and statistics will, in turn, reduce or eliminate discrimination by gender, age and/or socio-cultural characteristics, and lead to more equitable development interventions.

Major Output(s)

• Support to national capacity for SEAGA in agriculture and rural development
• Corporate focal point for gender and HIV/AIDS mainstreaming in FAO and Member Nations
• Policy analysis and advisory assistance to Member Nations on the nexus of gender, population and equitable agriculture, food security and rural development
• Improved gender and demographic factors in agricultural statistics

Indicator(s)

• Number of cases where contents of a Socioeconomic and Gender Analysis (SEAGA) workshop were explicitly translated into policy, plans and/or projects.
• Number of countries formulating legislation and policies with verifiable reference to FAO's advice and training in GDD and statistics.
• Number of national institutions that have adopted and use population and gender analysis methods and tools in agricultural and rural development planning.

569.     As this entity largely represents on-demand services to Members which by their nature are difficult to plan in advance, no formulation of rationale and objective is provided.

Major Output(s)

• Advice and assistance to member countries and civil institutions on gender-responsive approaches and population issues to enhance food security

Indicator(s)

• Number of FAO designed, implemented and/or ongoing projects with gender, HIV/AIDS and/or other population issues integrated.
• Number of FAO's field projects with gender considerations

Development problem to be addressed:

571.     Systems to provide access to land and other natural resources and land tenure security in many countries are not reaching the rural poor. Many approaches used in development projects are not sustainable after their completion. The absence of sustainable, affordable systems of land tenure makes it difficult for the rural poor to accumulate assets, and to ensure household security.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

572.     The entity will assist countries to put in place effective systems of access to land and other natural resources, and land tenure security.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

573.     The rural poor, both men and women.

574.     Enhanced functioning of national systems to provide access to land and other natural resources, and increased land tenure security for the rural poor.

Major Output(s)

• Policy materials on sustainable, affordable approaches for access to land and other natural resources
• Methodologies for national arrangements to provide improved land tenure security

Indicator(s)

• Number of countries considering improvements to systems of access to land and natural resources and land tenure security, based on FAO's advice.

Development problem to be addressed:

575.     Successful SARD needs to overcome a combination of negative factors: lack of responsiveness to producer and other community-based organizations by public service providers; limited use of modern management methods and entrepreneurial approaches by producer organizations; limited effectiveness of programmes in promoting sustainable livelihoods and food security due to insufficient and often incorrect use of participatory approaches by government and NGO staff; weakness of national rural extension services and often limited access of clients to these services, leading to limited adoption of improved approaches and technologies; vulnerability of rural populations to natural and man-made shocks, including HIV/AIDS; difficulty for producer and community-based organizations to influence policy choices regarding their livelihood strategies.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

576.     Effective policies and institutions related to service delivery and the use of participatory approaches will be promoted. This should lead to better access to resources and services, thus improved food security and more sustainable livelihoods.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

577.     Poor farmers and other rural producers will benefit from better service provision by rural institutions, including those related to extension, which would also allow them to have their needs and aspirations reflected in local development projects and programmes. Producer organizations will be more efficiently managed and better positioned to take advantage of market opportunities.

578.     Enhanced policies and institutions and capacity for the delivery of services; better use of participatory approaches in relation to rural people's livelihoods.

Major Output(s)

• Support to policies and practices to strengthen the implementation of Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) and Sustainable Livelihoods
• Support to policies, institutions and practices to strengthen national extension systems
• Strengthening of rural institutions, including public, producer and community-based organizations
• Promotion of effective linkages among research-extension, private-public sectors and farmer organizations
• Strengthening of institutional capacities to reduce rural people's vulnerability to natural, economic and political shocks
• Strengthening of extension capacity for the prevention and mitigation of HIV/AIDS
• Inter-disciplinary application of participatory approaches and methods for sustainable rural livelihoods

Indicator(s)

• Extent of use of the people-centred approach in FAO's substantive activities
• Number of local institutions with improved capacity to prevent, manage and respond to disaster risks
• Training programmes and materials and modules developed and incorporated in extension programmes targeting both institutional personnel and farmer beneficiaries
• Use of related Web site
• Number of countries where approaches and tools from this entity were tested and adopted

Development problem to be addressed:

579.     Developing countries, particularly the Low-income, Food-deficit Countries (LIFDCs) need to enhance food security through rapid increases in food production and productivity, reducing year-to-year variability in food production on an economically- and environmentally-sound basis and improving people's access to food.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

580.     Enhanced collaboration among development partners will facilitate more cost-effective and sustainable results.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

581.     Ultimately, the food insecure and rural poor will benefit from strategies and programmes that are formulated and implemented in a more coherent and coordinated manner.

582.     The adoption and/or implementation by national and international organizations of multi-stakeholder perspectives and strategies, and coordinated programmes on food security and rural development.

Major Output(s)

• Management of the Network secretariat, including support to national Thematic Groups
• Information and knowledge development, dissemination and exchange

Indicator(s)

• List of countries adopting and/or implementing multi-stakeholder programmes and strategies on food security and rural development.
• Examples of UN System Network recommendations tried and/or implemented at national and international levels.

583.     As this entity largely represents on-demand services to Members which by their nature are difficult to plan in advance, no formulation of rationale and objective is provided.

Major Output(s)

• Field programme support on participatory approaches and institutional development
• Field programme support on equitable and secure access to land resources

Indicator(s)

• Increased capacity to prepare draft policies to improve tenure arrangements and rural institutions

Development problem to be addressed:

585.     Developing countries, particularly the Low-income, Food-deficit Countries (LIFDCs) need to enhance food security through rapid increases in food production and productivity, reducing year-to-year variability in food production on an economically- and environmentally-sound basis and improving people's access to food.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

586.     The SPFS has been designed to address the above problem. This entity ensures coordination and monitoring of the various stages of the SPFS. Attention is paid to promoting funding of the SPFS through mobilization of resources from donors, financial institutions and the concerned governments. The entity facilitates successful formulation and implementation of the SPFS in an increasing number of participant countries, especially LIFDCs. This includes securing the involvement of the pertinent technical services of the Organization, guided by an external oversight panel.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

587.     Recipient governments are assisted in addressing food security on a sustainable basis and the livelihoods of rural people are improved. Donors and financial institutions are provided with a common framework to contribute to improved food security.

588.     Effective coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the SPFS at all levels; promotion of South-South Cooperation (SSC) initiatives and increased mobilization of funds from donors and financial institutions in support of the SPFS.

Major Output(s)

• Coordination and monitoring at Headquarters and decentralized structures
• Coordination and monitoring of the formulation of the SPFS and SSC components
• Coordination and monitoring of the implementation of SPFS
• SPFS guidelines and reports, dissemination of information
• Capacity building for SPFS programme management at country level

Indicator(s)

• Number of active SSC agreements, including number of experts contracted.
• Number of countries engaged in the SPFS.
• Contributions mobilized for SPFS from donors and recipient countries.
• Examples of replications of SPFS approaches, in non-SPFS projects.

Development problem to be addressed:

589.     In joining the SPFS, interested governments need assistance in programme and project formulation.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

590.     Food security issues are addressed in close collaboration with recipient governments by assisting in the formulation of SPFS Phase I, Extension of Phase I and Phase II at the country level, taking into account the needs of targeted populations and a sustainable production approach. Moreover, the entity provides for joint formulation of SSC partnerships, including tripartite agreements.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

591.     Government departments and institutions are empowered in creating the policy and institutional framework needed for an expanding SPFS. Farmers in the project areas are the immediate beneficiaries together with community-based organizations which provide input services and assistance in efficient utilization of resources (e.g. Water User Associations) on the production side and in post harvest activities.

592.     Assist countries, especially LIFDCs, in achieving food security through the formulation of an SPFS National Programme Document and Plan of Action and of Phase I or extension/expansion of the programme.

Major Output(s)

• Formulation of national SPFS programmes at Phase I, Phase I Extension and Phase II levels
• Formulation of SSC within the framework of the SPFS

Indicator(s)

• Number of new national SPFS projects and regional programmes formulated and approved by all parties.
• Number of SSC agreements formulated and approved by all parties.

Development problem to be addressed:

593.     The effective implementation and expansion of the SPFS to meet requirements and expectations of interested countries requires a steady flow of resources.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

594.     FAO provides technical assistance and financial support comes from various sources, including bilateral and multilateral donors, development banks and other financing institutions, governments own resources, NGOs, private sector entities and FAO itself. This combination of factors creates an enabling environment to address food insecurity in an effective and sustainable way.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

595.     The prime end beneficiaries are undernourished people, who suffer from unreliable access to food much of the time.

596.     To provide essential financial support to food security enhancement of LIFDCs, through rapid increases in productivity and food production on an economically- and environmentally-sound basis; to improve people's access to food; to promote diversified food production on a self-reliant basis through better input supply services and access to village credit.

Major Output(s)

• Implementation of national SPFS programmes at Phase I level
• Implementation of national SPFS programmes at Extension of Phase I/Phase II levels
• Implementation of SSC activities in SPFS countries

Indicator(s)

• Proportion of farmers supported in areas where SPFS is implemented.
• Stability of food production in countries where SPFS is being implemented (Phase I, Phase I Extension or Phase II).
• Increased production and diversification of food in countries where SPFS is being implemented.