| Programme Entity | Title | Type | Lead Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 223A2 | Global Food and Agricultural Perspective Studies | Technical Project | ESD |
Rationale
- Development problem to be addressed: identification of the upcoming bottlenecks and problems associated with expected long-term developments in world food, nutrition, agriculture and natural resource use, which require corrective agricultural policies.
- Proposed contribution to problem resolution: policies and plans need to be based on better informed decisions, which in turn need to rely on accurate forecasts of major problems and trends.
- Intended end beneficiaries: FAO will provide views on all major long-term global food, nutrition, agriculture and natural resource issues. Hence, producers and consumers in general will benefit from policy decisions and development plans based on more analytic information and informed judgement.
Objective
- Key decision makers at national and international levels will be more aware of long-term developments, constraints and opportunities in world food, nutrition and agriculture, and will be able to make more informed policy and programmatic choices, as a result.
Indicators
- Examples of public or parliamentary debates, public awareness campaigns, programmes or policies that were influenced by the analysis and assessment from AT 20XX material.
2004-05 Implementation Progress - Achievements, Success Stories and Lessons Learnt
- After the publication of the study, World agriculture: towards 2015/2030 (as a summary and full technical report), in the preceding biennium, during 2004-05, further papers were produced on selected topics of a global long-term nature, and work was begun on a report on the outlook to 2050. The above-mentioned reports and papers are frequently quoted in outside government and academic reports, and numerous invitations to conferences and for contributions to work of a long-term nature by outside institutions have been received.
| Major Output | Biennial Output | Title | Type | Contributing Divisions (Lead Division in bold) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 125 | Analytical framework and database. | ||||
| 401 | Analytical framework and data base | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESD | Completed | |
| 126 | AT 20XX all-in-one report and intermediate papers. | ||||
| 401 | Papers on selected topics of a long-term and global nature | Studies and analyses | ESD | Completed | |
| 127 | Contributions to studies undertaken by UN and non-UN organizations. | ||||
| 401 | Contributions to non-FAO long-term studies as required | Studies and analyses | ESD | Completed | |
| Programme Entity | Title | Type | Lead Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 223P2 | The State of Food and Agriculture | Continuing Programme Activity | ESA |
Rationale
- Development problem to be addressed: in today's fast-paced and increasingly globalised world, trends and constraints affecting agriculture ought to be identified as they emerge, so they can be addressed through collaborative arrangements or local interventions.
- Proposed contribution to problem resolution: the prime purpose of the SOFA documents is to enhance awareness of agricultural problems and opportunities by policy makers and opinion leaders, thus leading to more appropriate policies and international cooperation aimed at solving specific issues.
- Intended end beneficiaries: general public and the international community are expected to benefit from more appropriate and timely policy making and/or international cooperation in addressing priority issues in food and agriculture.
Objective
- Decision makers can make improved policy or planning decisions based on enhanced awareness and understanding of global or major trends, constraints and opportunities in agricultural development.
Indicators
- Evidence of increased awareness of issues highlighted in SOFA, especially among decision makers and opinion leaders, e.g. articles or citations in specialised and generalist media, or public debates.
2004-05 Implementation Progress - Achievements, Success Stories and Lessons Learnt
- Two issues of The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA) were prepared during the biennium, as well as two Council/Conference documents. SOFA continues to be FAO's most popular flagship publication, receiving among the highest number of hits of all FAO Web pages. The SOFA publication, one of the oldest continuous series of global reports in the world, continues to report and analyse major developments in food and agriculture. The 2003-04 edition changed format and expanded the thematic section to explore in greater depth a single major issue: biotechnology and its capacity to help the poor. Future issues will continue the thematic focus. SOFA 2005 examines the role of trade in reducing poverty and improving food security.
| Major Output | Biennial Output | Title | Type | Contributing Divisions (Lead Division in bold) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 221 | Review of situation, trends, policies and issues in food and agriculture at the global and regional levels. | ||||
| 401 | Two annual editions of The State of Food and Agriculture covering critical emerging themes and key indicators of the food and agriculture situation at the global and regional levels | Studies and analyses | ESA REU SEUR | Completed | |
| 402 | Technical documents for meetings of FAO Governing Bodies | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESA REU SEUR | Completed | |
| Programme Entity | Title | Type | Lead Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 223P3 | Market Assessments for Basic Food Commodities and Impact on Global Food Security | Continuing Programme Activity | ESC |
Rationale
- Development problem to be addressed: there is a lack of readily available, comprehensive, consistent and unbiased data, information and assessments related to the effects of emerging commodity policies and global market developments for basic foodstuffs, especially dealing with developing countries, that would facilitate planning and adaptation to changing market conditions.
- Proposed contribution to problem resolution: the food and agricultural commodity market will function more effectively as a result of better information and analysis to be developed under this entity. Decision making of the key market agents at national and international levels would also be facilitated.
- Intended end beneficiaries: the general public, consumers and producers would benefit from enhanced functioning of food and agricultural commodity markets at national and international levels.
Objective
- The key actors in food and agricultural commodity market will be able to make better decisions in adapting to changing market conditions. In particular, decision makers in governments will promote appropriate programmes or policies aimed at enabling the private sector to seize emerging commodity market opportunities.
Indicators
- Estimated number of private sector operatives reached through presentations in trade association fora and other means of dissemination.
- Examples of programmes or policies drafted or adopted, and quoting FAO's basic food commodities outlooks.
2004-05 Implementation Progress - Achievements, Success Stories and Lessons Learnt
- The service responsible for the implementation of this programme entity could not be fully staffed during the course of the biennium because of delays in implementing a proposed structural change in the service. Although most of the recurrent activities were completed, the quality and the frequency of some of the outputs suffered considerably. In particular those related to the monitoring of commodity markets and provision of short term forecasts. Indeed, one P5, one P4 and two P2 posts remained vacant through most of the biennium. However, it is worth noting that, despite the shortages, the service was able to achieve a very significant outcome when it successfully took over the responsibility of conducting medium-term outlook studies, which hitherto had been undertaken by another service in the division. This was achieved though building a very successful collaborative arrangement with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), whereby FAO took the responsibility of developing and maintaining the analytical modules for developing countries and regions and OECD those of developing countries. Moreover, a model cross-service collaborative effort was developed that relied on inputs from all the four services of the division. The results were included in a joint publication with OECD in 2005. The current arrangements allow repeating the exercise every year, instead of the 5-7-year intervals that were the norm under previous arrangements. This is a significant improvement in the effectiveness and efficiency with which our resources are used.
| Major Output | Biennial Output | Title | Type | Contributing Divisions (Lead Division in bold) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 321 | Integrated databases and analytical/modelling tools for basic foodstuffs. | ||||
| 401 | Integration of commodity, policy and other databases for basic foodstuffs, including FAOSTAT and other web based applications | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 404 | Modelling tools for analysis of current situation and short-term forecasting for basic foodstuffs with food security focus | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Modified | |
| 322 | Publications on market situation and short-term outlook for basic foodstuffs. | ||||
| 401 | Situation and outlook notes covering basic foodstuffs for Food Outlook, CFS, CMR, SOFA and other outlets | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 323 | Reports on global indicators of food security reflecting developments in trade and markets of basic food commodities. | ||||
| 401 | Regular reports on market-based global food security indicators related to basic foodstuffs for the CFS and FIVIMS | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 404 | Periodic reports on food import bills of developing and low-income food deficit countries and the export earnings of developing countries from basic foodstuffs | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 324 | Commodity studies and medium-term projections for basic foodstuffs. | ||||
| 401 | Medium term projections for basic foodstuffs | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 402 | Analytical studies related to the global market developments and commodity issues for basic foodstuffs | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 403 | Annual publication of Review of Basic Food Policies | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 404 | Publications on market issues for basic foodstuffs | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 325 | Exchange of commodity information on basic foodstuffs through electronic means and networking. | ||||
| 401 | Information exchange networks (e-mail discussion lists) and electronic conferences for basic foodstuffs | Coordination and information exchange | ESC | Completed | |
| Programme Entity | Title | Type | Lead Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 223P4 | Projections and Global Commodity Market Assessments | Continuing Programme Activity | ESC |
Rationale
- Development problem to be addressed: governments, other national and international actors need to make appropriate, effective decisions based on reliable analyses of current global market developments and medium-term prospects for agricultural commodities, as well as analyses of cross-cutting issues.
- Proposed contribution to problem resolution: the implementation of policies, strategies and plans for trade, commodity development and food security would be assisted by FAO's analysis of current developments and future prospects in global commodity markets.
- Intended end beneficiaries: producers, industries, traders and consumers will benefit from informed decisions regarding trade, commodity development strategies and food security planning.
Objective
- Countries adjust their policies, strategies and plans to seize trade-related opportunities, based on increased awareness of current developments and future prospects in global commodity markets.
Indicators
- Number of countries that adjusted their policies, strategies and plans for trade and community development, based on projections and global market assessments from the entity.
2004-05 Implementation Progress - Achievements, Success Stories and Lessons Learnt
- This biennium saw the publication of the first issue of the new flagship publication, State of Agricultural Commodity Markets, aimed at bringing commodity market and policy issues to a wider audience. The publication was very well received. It also saw the publication of the second issue of the new-style Commodity Market Review, which provides an outlet for the ongoing technical work of the division. Medium Term projections, which used to be reported under this entity, are now conducted in collaboration with OECD, as specified under 223P3.
| Major Output | Biennial Output | Title | Type | Contributing Divisions (Lead Division in bold) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 341 | Commodity Market Review and analytical studies on market developments and trends. | ||||
| 401 | Publication of Commodity Market Review | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 402 | Publication of State of World Commodity Markets | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 342 | Analytical studies on commodity outlook and projections. | ||||
| 401 | Improvements to the World Food Model (WFM) | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Modified | |
| 402 | Projections with the World Food Model (WFM) | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| Programme Entity | Title | Type | Lead Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 223P5 | Market Assessments of Tropical, Horticultural and Raw Material Commodities and Impact on Food Security | Continuing Programme Activity | ESC |
Rationale
- Development problem to be addressed: there is a need for improved planning and adaptation to changing market conditions for tropical, horticultural and raw material commodities so as to maximise returns from trade in these commodities, to improve market efficiency and to enhance food security.
- Proposed contribution to problem resolution: trade in these agricultural commodities has a significant impact on the growth of the agricultural sector and hence on incomes, employment and food security. Regular, comprehensive and unbiased information to be provided under this entity will facilitate decision making and enhance market efficiency, which in turn will lead to superior resource allocation and maximisation of income and food security benefits from commodity trade.
- Intended end beneficiaries: producers, traders and other national and international market participants will benefit from more effective participation in these commodity markets.
Objective
- Enhanced market efficiency and improved participation in commodity markets by developing countries, through better informed policies and decision making.
Indicators
- Evidence of marketing or policy decisions that were influenced by information provided under this entity.
2004-05 Implementation Progress - Achievements, Success Stories and Lessons Learnt
- This biennium saw the publication of the first issue of the new flagship publication, State of Agricultural Commodity Markets, aimed at bringing commodity market and policy issues to a wider audience. The publication was very well received. It also saw the publication of the second issue of the new-style Commodity Market Review, which provides an outlet for the ongoing technical work of the division. This entity reflects the continuing fundamental work of the division in monitoring commodity markets and disseminating analytical information. Increasingly, analysis has been based on quantitative tools developed under this entity. Econometric models have now been developed for all the commodities covered by this entity, permitting a wide range of market and policy issues to be addressed in a rigorous way. These models are gradually being incorporated into the multicommodity COSIMO model. Work on organic and fair trade products has been expanded considerably during this biennium and has attracted very significant donor support, notably from Germany for a fair trade project focused on West Africa.
| Major Output | Biennial Output | Title | Type | Contributing Divisions (Lead Division in bold) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 351 | Publications on market situation and short-term outlook for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products. | ||||
| 401 | Commodity notes, market information notes and statistical compendia on raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 402 | Reviews of situation and outlook for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products for FAO publications | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 352 | Commodity studies and medium-term projections for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products. | ||||
| 402 | Medium term projections and short-term forecasts for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 403 | Analytical studies on raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 404 | Analyses of production, trade and marketing of organic and fair trade tropical and horticultural products | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 353 | Electronic exchange of commodity information and networking. | ||||
| 401 | Electronic collection and dissemination system for market information on raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 402 | Email fora and web-discussions on raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Coordination and information exchange | ESC | Completed | |
| 354 | Integrated databases and analytical/modelling tools for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products. | ||||
| 401 | Quantitative models for short-term forecasting, market analyses and medium term projections for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 403 | Supply-demand balances and market databases for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 404 | Database of national policies on raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 355 | Reports on food security and export earnings from raw materials, tropical and horticultural products. | ||||
| 401 | Analyses of effects of changes in international prices of selected raw materials, tropical and horticultural products on national and household food security | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| Programme Entity | Title | Type | Lead Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 223P6 | Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture | Continuing Programme Activity | ESC |
Rationale
- Development problem to be addressed: natural and man-made disasters may cause large-scale food insecurity or even famines. There is a need for early warning systems providing timely and accurate information on volatile food security situations, so as to prompt appropriate and coordinated relief operations before a crisis emerges.
- Proposed contribution to problem resolution: established on the recommendation of the World Food Conference in 1974 in the wake of the 1972-73 food crisis, the Global Information and Early Warning System (GIEWS) plays a unique role in providing information on a timely and accurate basis, on the impact on food security of natural and man-made disasters triggering relief operations and therefore helping the affected populations and communities to access food and other relief assistance.
- Intended end beneficiaries: populations affected by natural and man-made disasters and in need of food assistance.
Objective
- Enable the provision of relief assistance to people affected by natural and man-made disasters in time to prevent loss of life or minimise human suffering.
Indicators
- Critical incidents when GIEWS forecasted a crisis and triggered relief operations early enough to effectively alleviate the crisis.
2004-05 Implementation Progress - Achievements, Success Stories and Lessons Learnt
- During the biennium, and in spite of budget cuts, GIEWS provided 28 special alerts on impending crises in all regions of the world, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The quality of the CFSAM methodology and scope of missions were increased, resulting, in great part, from extrabudgetary funding by the European Commission, but the number of missions fell from 19 in 2004 to 12 in 2005. With respect to publications, Food Outlook went from five issues per year to four in 2004. The same publication had dropped to two issues per year as of the end of the biennium. Similarly, Foodcrops and Shortages had gone from four issues per year to three as of 2004. However, the quality and timeliness of information have improved, and the delays to translation into three additional languages have been drastically reduced by direct contracting with translators. To compensate for the smaller number of print publications, more information has been made available through the GIEWS Web site, which underwent a major overhaul in 2004, and the GIEWS Workstation country pages.
| Major Output | Biennial Output | Title | Type | Contributing Divisions (Lead Division in bold) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 332 | Special alerts. | ||||
| 401 | Special Reports and Alerts on Food Shortages | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 333 | Crop and food supply assessment mission reports. | ||||
| 401 | Crop and food supply assessment missions to disaster-affected countries | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 334 | Food Situation and Outlook reports. | ||||
| 401 | Regular Food Outlook reports | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 402 | Regular Foodcrops and Shortages reports | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 403 | Sahel Weather and Crop Situation Reports | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 404 | Food Supply Situation and Crop Prospects in sub-Saharan Africa reports | Studies and analyses | ESC | Completed | |
| 335 | Emergency operations for joint approval by the FAO Director-General and the WFP Executive Director. | ||||
| 401 | Analyses of emergency food aid requests from governments | Direct advice to Members; field programme support | ESC | Completed | |
| 336 | Early warning software, database and Internet systems and the dissemination of regular reports, special alerts and food security data. | ||||
| 401 | Development and maintenance of an integrated food supply and demand database | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 402 | Electronic dissemination of GIEWS reports | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| 403 | Extension of data coverage in GIEWS Workstation including to sub-national level | Information (products, systems, databases) | ESC | Completed | |
| Programme Entity | Title | Type | Lead Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 223S1 | Technical Support Services to Member Nations and the Field Programme | Technical Service Agreement | ESC |
Indicators
- Requests for assistance
- Meetings
2004-05 Implementation Progress - Achievements, Success Stories and Lessons Learnt
- Member country requests for policy assistance have been met. The first session of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) under the back-to-back arrangement with the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) was successfully organized and met with the widespread approval of members, who also welcomed the shorter, more focused agenda. Subsequent review of this trial arrangement confirmed its advantages and it will be maintained for the next CCP meeting.
| Major Output | Biennial Output | Title | Type | Contributing Divisions (Lead Division in bold) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 326 | Contributory support to programme entities in other divisions and non-FAO bodies (ESCB) | ||||
| 337 | Contributory support to programme entities in other divisions and non-FAO bodies (ESCG) | ||||
| 345 | Contributory support to programme entities in other divisions and non-FAO bodies (ESCP) | ||||
| 402 | Annual updating of the list of LIFDCs | Methodologies and guidelines (including pilot testing and demonstration) | ESC | Completed | |
| 356 | Contributory support to programme entities in other divisions and non-FAO bodies (ESCR) | ||||
| 367 | Field programme support (ESC) | ||||
| 401 | Provision of information and technical assistance related to commodities and trade to member countries | Direct advice to Members; field programme support | ESC | Completed | |
| 403 | Technical assistance to member countries on policy design for raw materials, tropical and horticultural products | Direct advice to Members; field programme support | ESC | Completed | |
| 368 | Servicing of Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its subsidiary Inter-governmental Groups (IGGs) | ||||
| 401 | Servicing of the 65th Session of CCP | Coordination and information exchange | ESC | Completed | |
| 402 | Servicing of 30th Session of IGG on Grains, 41st Session of IGG on Rice, 20th Session of IGG on Meat and Dairy Products, 29th Session of IGG on Oils, Oilseeds and Fats | Coordination and information exchange | ESC | Modified | |
| 403 | Servicing of the 15th Session of IGG on Tea, 4th Session of IGG on Bananas and Tropical Fruits, 15th Session of IGG on Citrus Fruits, 33rd Session of IGG on Hard Fibres and 33rd Session of IGG on Jute | Coordination and information exchange | ESC | Modified | |