P.E. KAHATA (Papua New Guinea) : Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen.
May I firstly express on behalf of my delegation sincere apologies from my Minister for Primary Industry who because of important commitments at home could not be available himself at this important session of FAO. He conveys his best wishes to all the distinguished delegates and to the Director-General, staff of FAO and other organisers for the successful conclusions of this Session.
Mr. Chairman, I would like to join with all the distinguished delegates in congratulating you on your election to the Chairmanship of this important Session of FAO and I am confident that under your capable leadership you will lead it to a successful conclusion.
Papua New Guinea is a newly independent relatively small developing Third World country in the South Pacific. We share the same experiences with the other countries of the South Pacific region and our aspirations are equally no different to each others. We must admit we are small in size in terms of our total land and population resources and we are isolated from each other and from the other regions by the huge expanse of water, thus we share the same problems which are somewhat different from other regions.
We would like to think, Mr. Chairman, that despite our unique difference in the South Pacific our aspirations for a just share in food and agricultural development and the type of assistance received to implement and realise the importance of food and agricultural development to our people are equally important as those of the other regions.
Mr. Chairman, I wish to reiterate the fact that Papua New Guinea is a newly independent country with very limited experience to confront the whole range of problems which beset a newly independent nation.
For this reason we support such internationally renowned organizations as FAO and our presence today speaks for itself of our continued support in FAO. I must emphasize here that we are not here to dictate to others solutions and ideologies, but to share in experiences of other Third World nations, to learn from them their mistakes and to share their successes.
Our economy can be described as agriculture-based. Agriculture is the major activity for the majority of the people, with approximately 25% of the people now engaged in the monetary sector. The remainderof the people obtain their livelihood from subsistence agriculture.
Papua New Guinea is a significant producer and exporter of agricultural commodities such as coffee, cocoa, copra and copra products, palm oil, timber, fish and rubber.Smaller quantities of crops such as cardomon, chillies and pyrethrum are produced and also exported.
We have a tremendous potential for development but also have a number of difficulties and problems for which we must find our own unique solutions as well as outside assistance before this potential can be fully utilised.Our difficult terrain, cultural diversity between our 700 ethnic peoples with a very complex land tenure system are some of the highlights of the problems facing us today with the latter emerging as the single most important problem facing agricultural development in Papua New Guinea. About 90% of Papua New Guinea's land is held under customary land tenure.
The economy of Papua New Guinea can be briefly summarised as follows:
- A dependence on the utilisation of our natural resources.
- A small but growing manufacturing, construction and business sector.
- A poorly developed infrastructural base.
- A high population growth rate and a high rate of urbanisation.
- A considerable proportion of commercial activity still owned by foreign interests.
- A relatively open economy depending upon substantial imports, especially food imports, and upon the exports of copper, coffee, cocoa and to a lesser extent on coconut products, timber, fish, palm oil, tea and rubber.
- A high dependence on foreign aid.
- A serious shortage of skilled technical and managerial man-power.
A recent step in our potential development has been the establishment of Provincial Governments. Apart from the multi-party National Parliament with 109 members there are 19 new Provincial Governments given certain decentralised functions originally under the jurisdiction of the National Government.Such functions include Health Services, Education, Primary Extension Activity and Business Development.
Since independence in 1975, the Government of Papua New Guinea has devoted considerable time and energy to establishing a development strategy to suit our country's needs and aspirations. The National Development Strategy called for a high proportion of the nation's resources to be directed to rural areas. Policies in the National Development Strategy were concentrated and directed at reducing inequalities by spreading income earning opportunities throughout the rural areas. This Strategy is based on the country's eight aims.
Mr. Chairman, many of you have no doubt heard these aims before. However, I wish to repeat them again simply because they are highly relevant and are parallel to the objectives and the principle of this Conference. Briefly the eight aims are :
(1) A rapid increase in the proportion of the economy under the control of Papua New Guinean individuals and groups;
(2) More equal distribution of economic benefits, including movement towards equalisation of income among people and toward equalisation of services among different areas of the country;
(3) Decentralisation of economic activity, planning and government spending, with emphasis on agricultural development, village industry, better internal trade, and more spending channelled to local and area bodies;
(4) An emphasis on small scale artisan, service and business activity, relying where possible on typically Papua New Guiñean forms of business activity;
(5) A more self-reliant economy, less dependent for its needs on imported goods and services and better able to meet the needs of its people through local production;
(6) An increasing capacity for meeting government spending needs from locally raised revenue;
(7) A rapid increase in the equal and active participation of women in all forms of economic and social activity;
(8) Government control and involvement in those sectors of the economy where control is necessary to achieve the desired kind of development.
Implementation and development have not all been consistent with these aims as there are factors both internal and external involved.
However the main thrust of the Strategy can be summarised as:-
(1) Rural development, not just agricultural development, but development of people, their welfare, agriculture and the necessary services and institutions needed to facilitate this development; and
(2) Urban planning, which concentrates on strengthening the links between towns and rural areas.
In line with this strategy and under the close direction of the National Agriculture Council the Department of Primary Industry has established four broad objectives. Our first objective is to promote the production of crops and products which can directly replace or substitute for products which are at present imported into Papua New Guinea. Our programme calls for the development of the beef, pig and poultry industries, fruit, vegetables, fish, rice, coarse grains and more recently sheep, buffalo and deer farming. We hope to be self-sufficient with respect to livestock by the early 1980s. Larger scale national beef ranches are to be established in several areas and research into more efficient management techniques for village farmers is currently under way. The Department has had considerable success with its peri-urban pig and poultry projects.
Substantial progress has been made in replacing imports of fresh vegetables, although post-harvest losses have been a problem. As our internal marketing system develops, such wastages could become a major problem.
Papua New Guinea exports substantial quantities of tuna, prawns and crayfish. These are high priced products, while imports of fish into Papua New Guinea are principally of the lower priced canned mackerel.The Department of Primary Industry therefore places a high priority on the development of our fisheries resources for both domestic consumption and for exports. The Department is developing a system of fish collection which enables Papua New Guineans to participate in the cash economy, as well as providing fresh and frozen fish to the urban centres. Another project which is enjoying success is the production of dried and salted fresh water fish. A large tuna cannery will be established in Papua New Guinea in the very near future.
In common with other Pacific countries, Papua New Guinea has no tradition of rice production or consumption. However, Papua New Guinea now imports considerable quantities of rice, since it is more attractive than traditional crops in terms of price, storability and its relatively low bulk.The Department has encouraged dry cultivation of rice, and, although it can be successfully grown, farmers prefer other crops. The Department is now experimenting with mechanised irrigation rice.
The development of the pig and poultry industries has created an increasing demand for maize and sorghum for stockfeeds.Although production is rising, there is still a deficit in some areas. Plantings are mainly large scale although some smallholders are now showing interest in maize. Maize could make a significant contribution to human nutrition and the Department is to conduct trials with white grain maize.
The second objective of the Department is to foster rural development in the least developed provinces. Planning in Papua New Guinea, especially with the Department of Primary Industry had been increasingly aimed at a fully integrated rural development project incorporating social and infrastructure improvement in conjunction with agricultural and other economic activities. The Department has been involved in initiating two large integrated rural development projects.In 1976 the Asian Development Bank approved a loan to the Government of Papua New Guinea for a major programme in one of the Provinces. This programme provides for the up-grading of existing agriculture and for the development of rubber, cocoa, coffee, fish and buffalo. It also provides for agricultural training and research and the necessary infrastructure development.
In 1978 a more embracing, but similar programme was initiated with World Bank funding in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea.This project includes food crops, coffee, tea, cardamom and silk production, together with road, education and health services development.Integrated Rural Development Programmes are also planned for other areas in Papua New Guinea.
The Department has been actively involved in establishing smallholder settlement schemes in areas which had previously been neglected. Oil palm schemes involving some 3 000 smallholder settler families have been initiated at Hoskins, Bialla and Popondetta and the Department is currently working on the development of rubber settlement schemes in other areas.
In addition, the Department is paying particular attention to the introduction of cash earning opportunities to more remote areas. To overcome the marketing problems of remote areas, the Department provides purchasing and marketing services. More than $US 1 million worth of produce is bought annually from remote small-holders.
Our third objective is to improve the quality and quantity of export produce, particularly that of the small-holder growers through expansion and re-habilitation programmes. Our major agricultural exports are coffee, cocoa and copra. 70 percent of our coffee is produced by small-holders, while 50 percent of the other two crops are smallholder-produced. The guidelines governing the use of the stabilisation funds for these crops have been revised and now that world commodity prices are low the prices received by our growers are being supported.
However, we are also promoting diversification of our export base. To this end we are encouraging small-holders to engage in the production of tea, rubber, spices and oil palm and, to date, have achieved considerable success.
On a somewhat larger scale, we aré seriously studying the further utilisation and exploitation of our forestry resources. 90 percent of our land area is covered in forests, but to date, less than 10 percent is being utilised. The Forest Industry was planned as an export industry, based at first on log exports and later upon sawn timber. Exports, however, are nowhere near projected figures. One reason for this has been increasing oil prices and the generally depressed timber market. There are also a number of structural problems in the industry, and a complete review of the role of our forests and the industry is currently under way.
Our fourth objective is to maintain and improve subsistence production. Although the urban sector of Papua New Guinea relies heavily on imported food, three quarters of our total food requirements are produced locally. However, we do have a problem of malnutrition.Since this is occuring in many areas and even among the middle and high income earners, it appears that the problem is one of attitudes to food rather than low incomes or insufficient resources to grow food. This means that we must not only educate people to eat more food, but we must also have good food available at the right price.
The Government has initiated a National Food and Nutrition Programme which will operate through several government departments, expecially my own. This programme will work on two fronts: the first is the encouragement of medium and larger scale, more intensive methods of market gardening, whilst the second is the maintenance and improvement of subsistence production. Seeds of new crops such as peanuts and wing beans are being distributed as part of this programme. Also extension staff are receiving simple nutrition training so that they can assist rural people to improve their diets. Increasing numbers of women agricultural extension workers are being trained.
Although progress has been made towards our objectives, it was felt that refinements to the budgetary process would speed up our development. To this end, the Government has initiated the National Public Expenditure Plan which is designed to direct anew government expenditure into areas which promote national aims as outlined in the National Development Strategy.
The National Expenditure Plan represents the first step in a longer term effort to achieve the necessary re-direction of expenditure.It will help the Government to formulate and revise national policies and to keep tight control over expenditure.It will also be a tool for making government policy more effective, by critically examining all growth in public expenditure to ensure it is in line with government policy.
The National Public Expenditure Plan is essentially a rolling expenditure plan over a period of four years.
All projects, even those financed by overseas agencies, must be submitted and processed through the National Public Expenditure Plan process. External aid is regarded in the same way as internal revenue and external funding does not necessarily improve the chances of a project being accepted as part of the Governments Development Programme. Thus the Government ensures that its development priorities are not unduly influenced by offers of external assistance.
I have attempted to outline, in the above, the approach Papua New Guinea is taking towards development. The programmes and strategies are, I believe, rurally orientated, rather than just agriculturaly orientated. The Government and people of Papua New Guinea are committed to the concept of integrated rural development, the type of development that is meanigful and actually improves the lives of the rural people of Papua New Guinea.
The National Public Expenditure Plan Strategic Objectives are :
(1) Increased Rural Welfare and Rural Education : Projects submitted under this heading must be aimed at increasing income to smallholders or improving services to rural people (i.e. rehabilitation of tree crops or rural health programmes or rural non-formal education);
(2) Helping Less Developed Areas : Projects submitted under this heading must be located in less developed areas and aimed at improving income or services (i.e. Integrated Rural Development Projects);
(3) General Welfare Services : Such projects must have a general impact on the welfare of people from all socio-economic groups (i.e. malaria control programmes);
(4) Economic Production and Major Infrastructure Projects : Must be related to Natural Resource Development or projects in more developed parts of the country with significant national benefits or contributions to government revenue (i.e. major hydro development or development of tourism) ;
(5) Food Production, Subsistence and Nutrition : Projects submitted under this heading must be aimed at improving domestic food supplies and/or improving nutrition particularly, for subsistence consumers and under-privileged groups (i.e. food import substitution projects);
(6) Training and Increased Participation : Such projects must be aimed at increasing the general level of education in the community or projects aimed at promoting greater economic and management participation through training and encouragement of local enterprises (i.e. agricultural training or vocational training);
(7) Urban Management : Projects submitted under this heading must aim at improving the quality of life in Papua New Guinea's urban Centres (i.e. urban water supply projects);
(8) Effective Administration : Projects aimed at increasing the capability of the Government toeffectively administer and monitor the development of Papua New Guinea (i.e. Public Service Training);
(9) Environment Management : Projects under this heading must be aimed at ensuring protection of existing social and physical environment from damaging effects of development.
In conclusion, I wish to join all the distinguished delegates with similar sentiments to express, on behalf of my country and my delegation, our warm congratulation to the Director-General, Dr. Edouard Saouma, on his reelection to another term of office as the Director-General of FAO.
I also wish, on behalf of my country, to join with colleagues from the South West Pacific to welcome the new member countries to FAO and particularly again warmly to welcome the Island Kingdom of Tonga to the ranks of FAO.
J.J. MUNGAI (Tanzania) : In the name of my country, (the United Republic of Tanzania), and in the name of my President, (Mwalimu Julius K. Nyerere), I would like, on behalf of my delegation, to offer our congratulations; first to you Mr. Chairman for being unanimously elected Chairman of this 21st biennial conference of FAO.Secondly we congratulate Dr. Edouard Saouma on his overwhelming reappointment to the high office of Director-General of FAO for another term of six years.
During the last six years we in Tanzania have been fully satisfied and impressed by Dr. Saouma's outstanding capability in management of FAO. While paying great attention to cost-effectiveness Dr. Saouma has re-oriented the FAO programme by sharpening its focus towards the needs and problems of the developing member countries. Under his leadership we have witnessed a substantial cutback on the proportion of the FAO budget being spent on established posts, as well as on administration and common services costs, without retarding the performance of field programmes. His innovative approach has increased FAO's capacity to respond promptly to emergency situations in developing countries.In our opinion it is extremely important for the Director-General of this organization dealing with food and hunger, as it does, to be, able to respond promptly to emergencies and unforeseen needs particularly of the developing member countries. We therefore wish Dr. Saouma continued successful leadership of FAO so that it can continue to fulfill its objectives with increased cost-effectiveness and efficiency.
Tanzania joins other member countries in congratulating and welcoming Bhutan, Tonga, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Equatorial Guinea, and Zimbadwe as new members of the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. As we join in welcoming the five new members we reiterate our own commitment to the objectives and aspirations of FAO.
In Tanzania, a new Ministry of Livestock Development was established in November 1980 in order to give priority attention at cabinet level to policy strategies for development of the livestock industry which comprises 12 million cattle, 8 million small stock and numerous poultry and pig projects. The Ministry of Agriculture continues to be responsible for development of both food and cash crops. Fishery and forestry continue to be under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. A national FAO committee is being formed to provide participation and coordination of the three ministries, as well as with the Prime Minister's office, which has responsibility for regional development administration.
The complementarity of animal and crop production at farm level will continue to be assured through the integrateddelivery of extension services to farmers.
As recently as 1978, Tanzania enjoyed a food surplus, when, it can be recalled, we even had storage problems. Owing to the natural calamity of drought and floods during the recent two years production of major food grains has declined and this year we have a domestic food gap of about 300,000 tons which is exacerbated by a foreign exchange crisis.
Worsening terms of trade have curtailed our capacity to food import bills even of our normal import requirements. we therefore have no alternative but to appeal to the international community for food aid to cover our food gap resulting form the incidence of floods and drought during the last 24 months in different parts of our country. In all, nine regions out of the 20 mainland regions experienced poor harvests during the last season owing to adverse weather conditions. Some of the hardest hit peasant families in these regions will require famine relief supplies to survive until the next harvest beginning May 1982. "his problem has been presented to potential donors, as well as to the World Food Programme, and to senior officials of the World Food Council. Maize is our major food grain for which we have greatest need.
Contingency measures have been taken to increase food production during the current planting season. Specific minimum targets have been allotted to each village and peasant farmer.State farms for production of wheat, paddy rice, and maize are being expanded. Private commercial farmers are being encouraged. Significant producer-price increases have been announced well before the planting season. Pan-territorial producer food prices have been replaced by producer prices which encourage production of food crops according to ecological conditions in the various regions of our country.
In drought-prone regions producer prices for drought-resistant crops such as sorghum, millet and cassava have been increased by up to 60 %, making them better priced than maize for the first time.
Our long-term agricultural strategy is to build our own capacity to design and implement village irrigation projects of up to 1,000 hectares each. Initially we are creating six zonal centres to be properly staffed with the required irrigation experts and with the necessary equipment to design and execute projects.Investigations by the Ministry of Agriculture with FAO assistance have established that with irrigation double cropping of paddy-rice is possible and yields can be increased from an average of 1.5 to 4.5 tons of paddy per hectare.
With expanded irrigation we expect not only to increase yields but also to reduce excessive reliance on rain-fed agriculture for our food needs. Tanzania has tremendous potential for irrigation in the form of three major inland lakes, and several major rivers with fertile valleys which have never been cultivated But, like most African countries, we are constrained by scarcity of both development capital and trained manpower for project design execution and operational management.
In our Third Five Year Plan we have decided to more than double resource allocation for agricultural development from about 10 percent to 24 percent of our development budget.The requirements for rapid agricultural development are far above this level.But it is not possible to allocate more than this level without having to close down essential services such as primary schools, village health centres, and rural water supplies; or without ignoring agro-supporting investments such as for roads, storage and agro-based industries. We accept the primary responsibility of ensuring adequate resource allocation in favour of agriculture in addition to providing adequate incentives to the farming community. We are already implementing these necessary measures.But in view of the serious techno-logical barriers and worsening terms of trade, resource transfers in the form of external official development assistance are necessary to augment our efforts until we reach the self-sustaining take-off stage when, owing to increased land and labour productivity, surplus capital and labour can begin to be released from agriculture towards industrialisation in a carefully planned way so that industry supports agriculture by giving priority to agro-input and value-adding agro-based industries.
In livestock development the strategy is to commercialise traditional livestock ownership by replacing communal grazing with delineated special grazing land in order to improve management of grazing and introduce pasture development techniques. With the continuation and enhancement of disease control measures it is expected that the animals will become more productive and their owners will begin to view livestock as commercial ventures rather than as capital reserves to be liquidated only in time of need.
In desease control, while in Tanazania we have succeeded in eradicating rinderpest since 1962, trypanosomiasis is still a major scourge in Africa as a whole, laying claim to nearly 10 million square kilometres. We strongly support the initiatives of the OAU-sponsored International Scientific Council of Trypanosomiasis, as well as of the FAO Commission for African Animal Trypanosomiasis Control and Related Development. Disease control measures are a necessary support to the biological and better management measures for improved animal production. We are grateful to multilateral andbilateral donors who are supporting us in livestock development, but there is considerable room for further support in order for the livestock sub-sector to realise its full potential contribution to dietary requirements, increased incomes to livestock owners, and national economic growth.
Our fisheries sector is also constrained with inadequate investments in spite of the significant potential resources in the Indian Ocean front, as well as in inland lakes and rivers. Capital and technological assistance are required for meaningful establishment and management of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Programme.
In forestry, fuel wood is the main source of energy for our people. Although this is a renewable source of energy, there is evidence to indicate that for several decades harvesting has not been matched with adequate replanting. The demand for fuel wood energy has increased with population growth. To avoid further desertification we have launched a nation-wide tree-planting campaign with a focus on village primary schools in order to inculcate the tree-planting habit in our future citizens, taking full advantage of our universal primary education.
It is quite clear from various studies and reports, food-wise, Africa is the most seriously affected continent. The other continents are either net exporters or are making good progress towards elimination of food gaps in their countries. Twenty-six out of forty-three (more than half) developing countries identified by the World Food Council as food priority countries with very serious food problems are in Africa. These countries are characterised by malnutrition, insufficient growth of food production, low per capita income, a widening domestic food gap, serious balance of payment deficits, and therefore increased dependence on food aid. The following facts illustrate the African food crisis:
(a) Annual growth rate of food production compared to population growth rate.
(b) Extremely low land and labour productivity with yields as low as 10 percent to 20 percent of potential.
Possible Corrective Actions
The FAO study "Agriculture Towards 2000" has pointed out that Africa is the one region in the world in which the number of hungry people shall increase significantly (by 60 percent by the end of the century).I believe this plight can be averted if appropriate actions are taken to correct misdirection of effort and resources both in domestic and external aid budgets.Instead of tackling secondary issues of grain handling, storage, post-harvest losses and the like, external aid should first and foremost augment domestic budgetary resources in projects for assuring African peasant agriculture of (a) water (b) nutrients (or fertilizer to be more exact) (c) high yielding varieties of seed and (d) ready nearby markets for their crops being also one-stop shops for agriculture inputs. Assured water for crops through village low-cost irrigation projects and increased use of fertilizer and biologically improved seeds, are productivity-increasing measures ; while provision of efficient markets through Farm Service Centres for both supply of inputs and efficient buying of crops and other outputs is a necessary incentive for increased production by peasant farmers.
Mr. Chairman and dear delegates, food aid is a necessary stop-gap measure which must be matched with productivity-increasing measures of which fertilizer aid is the most effective.It is possible to identify areas which are not drought prone and concentrate fertilizer aid and other input programmes and be able to increase productivity and total production within a few years.In drought prone years investment in irrigation projects is like an insurance policy, the benefits of which cannot be assessed only in terms of economic or financial rates of return. With the increase of the incidence of drought in Africa it is necessary for financial institutions and other donor agencies to change their assessment of investments in irrigation projects. The introduction and development of irrigation in Africa requires substantially increased donor-support.
Mr. Chairman, the serious food situation affecting the African continent has been clearly exposed to this Conference by the Director General through appropriate documentation. This Conferencein my view must reflect adequately on the African food crisis and provide appropriate guidance to the Director-General and his staff as to necessary policy measures and concomitant corrective actions to remedy the situation.The problem is How and When can the crops of millions of African peasants begin to be assured of water, nutrients and efficient markets?
Mr. Chairman, my delegation has carefully examined the Director-General's proposed budget and programme of work.I would like to express our support because we believe FAO needs more financial and human resources in order to tone down the effects of world-wide recession of the developing and fragile economies.We also support the pledging levels for the World Food Programme to be US $1,200 million for the next biennium.I hope we shall all come to an understanding and approve the budgets in view of the cost-effective measures to which the Director-General has demonstrated his priority attention throughout his leadership of this Organization.
Mr. Chairman and fellow delegates, I thank you all for your attentive listening.
A.M. FROMAYAK (Liberia): Mr. Chairman, Director-General of the FAO, Assistant Director-General, Excellencies, Honourable Ministers of Agriculture, Fellow Delegates, Observers, Ladies and Gentlemen. On behalf of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Liberia Samuel K. Doe, Chairman of the People's Redemption Council, and members of the People's Redemption Council, the Government and the People of Liberia and the Liberian delegation, I wish to express our profound thanks and appreciation to the FAO Secretariat and to the Italian Government and people for all courtesies and hospitalities extended to us. Please be assured that your kind gesture will contribute in no small way to a happy and enjoyable stay and a successful and fruitful deliberation on our part.
I would like to join other speakers before me in congratulating you Mr. Chairman upon your election to Chair this important Conference and the able manner in which you have conducted the proceedings, and also to the Director-General, Dr. Edouard Saouma, on his re-election. I trust and am confident that during his second term of office hunger and malnutrition will, be minimized.
The results of our deliberation will prove, I am confident, that under-investment in agriculture, relative to other sectors, have resulted in declining per caput production and ineffective and out-modelled institutions to promote the development of this sector; thus the immense potentials of the agricultural sector to contribute to overall economic development through its factor endowments of production, and land and water resources have been lost. More specifically, agriculture contributes to the socio-economic development through the provision of basic requirements for livelihood; remunerative employment to halt the rural-urban drift; earning of foreign exchange and capital formation for development; and creation of an enlarged market for goods and services and thereby contributing to the development of the secondary and tertiary sectors. Agriculture is therefore the. base for rural and socio-economic development.
In the past years the following agricultural development strategies have evolved in Liberia: Development of individual farmers cooperative production units; integrated rural development projects; establishment of commodity corporations with outgrower farmers; and provision of supporting services and materials to deserving farmers.
While we can continue to pursue aspects of these policies, we have come to realize that the most important agricultural resource available to Liberia is the nearly 150,000 small farmers and the land on which they operate. As a result, there can be no substantial agricultural development in Liberia unless their efforts are stimulated and effectively mobilized.
Realizing this, we have now agreed that a new development thrust will focus heavily on an agricultural extension programme with a capability for reaching and assisting small farmers in all parts of Liberia. This will be the core activity of the Ministry of Agriculture, with other activities such as research, seed and animal multiplication, development of necessary support institutions underpinning it.
Already some definite actions have been taken. We have already prepared a detailed proposal, which has already been submitted to the United States Government, which if approved will assist in developing and strengthening our extension programmes.
In support of our extension efforts, it is with pleasure that I state that the rice seed-multiplication project which was identified by an.FAO Investment Centre Mission in early 1978 will now be financed by IFAD during this cropping season. This project will initiate a national rice seed improvement programme which would improve the efficiency of rice production by providing improved seed of recommended varieties to our extension workers for distribution to some 92,000 smallholder farmers.
In the area of research, through which new innovations adaptable to our local conditions can be obtained, we are receiving assistance from USAID, WARDA and UNDP/FAO to revitalize the institute.
There are other support areas needed for ensuring the success of our extension programme for which no firm support has been received. While the search continues, we would like to state the need for reassessing FAO/UNDP Programmes to Liberia to ensure some consistency and coherence with our own efforts.
State of Agriculture in Liberia
Liberia continues to be faced with the serious problem of underproduction of her major food commodities, primarily rice. Between 1971 and 1977, rice production increased by some 3.1 percent but below the population growth rate which is estimated at 3.3 percent per annum. Since then, while production has decreased below the level of 1977, from 256 000 metric tons to 144 000 metric tons in 1980 population has continued to increase positively; thereby worsening our rice supply situation.
As of the beginning of 1980, Liberia was self-sufficient in poultry and about 80-90 percent self-sufficient in swine production but due to our inability, at this time to finance the needed replacement of depreciated plant and equipment, the acquired advantage is gradually eroding. Regarding fish protein, our major constraint is preservation and distribution to remote areas.
In other forms of Livestock, especially cattle, we are a net importer. In spite of our efforts in working with farmers in cattle production by way of assistance in pasture development and improved husbandry, we have continued to be a net importer. Our feeling is that unless the major diseases which affect cattle in the tropics, i.e. Trypanosomiases, Rinderpest, Foot and Mounth disease, etc is eradicated, this situation will continue to persist for a long time.
In this regard, the Government of Liberia will fully support FAO and other collaborating international organizations in the control of African Trypanosomiases, Food and Mouth disease and endorses the recommendation of the FAO/OAU/OIE Consulation Committee on the eradication of Rinderpest at the Pan African level and request all necessary assistance from FAO in the preparation of all studies leading to the implementation of the rinderpest campaign.
Forestry is Liberia's largest renewable natural resource, about 12 million acres of natural forest, which has immense potentials. The Forestry Development Authority (FDA) was established by an Act of Legislature in 1976 as an autonomous entity with responsibility for forest development. Presently the FDA enforces forest consessions agreements, engages in reforestration and silviculture, training, forest utilization and enforcement of forestry legislation. Presently the FDA, with World Bank assistance, is engaged in direct production through the establishment of an industrial plantation for pulp and paper industry and also institution-building by staff training.
Liberia commenced sugar production in 1977 with an estimated production of 4 500 tons of processed sugar. It was intended that upon full development, 15 000 tons of processed sugar would be produced annually. It was also envisaged to further process the by-product of sugar production, molasses, into alcohol for consumption and for industrial purposes. Unfortunately, due to financial problems, the Government has been constrained to close down the plant.
Under agricultural education and training, the College of Agriculture and Forestry of the University of Liberia provides undergraduate training in agriculture and forestry.
Vocational training in agriculture is being conducted at the Booker Washington Institute at the Secondary School level. There are few training arrangements for extension workers and farmers, which are being conducted within various agencies of government and individual agricultural projects such as the Rural Development Institute.
In our relationship with international institutions we have attempted to outline the difficult situation in which we now find ourselves, in spite of our efforts in the direction of improving agricultural production, there is a decline in production and a concurrent increase in population resulting in a negative growth rate within the agricultural sector.
It was also highlighted that in spite of our acceptance of some previous policies, we strongly believe that our most valuable resource is the approximately 150 000 small farmer families and the land on which they thrive. As a result, all our efforts by way of extension must be directed towards this group of people if the goal of doubling our food and agricultural production is to be obtained by year 2 000. This our most urgent need.
At this stage of our development we must, and are committed to dealing with our friends within the various international institutions on the basis of how they can react to these our pressing needs and aspirations and those of our fellow African brothers and sisters.
We have watched with concern developments at the United Nations, especially regarding the election of a Secretary-General and will be observing, in future, developments and actions by Member Nations at international organizations, particularly as they affect us and our brothers and sisters in other parts of Africa.
Finally, we would like to welcome the new Member Nations to this Organization and to appeal to those Member States who are advocating the zero growth rate principle to re-consider their position; tor the advocate of this theory would lead to doom those countries whose growth rates are already negative. In the cause of the rural poor the struggle continues.
ABBAS ORDOOBADI (International Fund for Agricultural Development): On behalf of President Al-Sudeary, let me begin by offering congratulations to you, Mr. Chairman, and to your Vice-Chairmen on your respective elections. It is also a source of much pleasure for me to convey the warm congratulations of President Al-Sudeary to Dr. Edouard Saouma on his re-election as Director-General of FAO.In addition, IFAD would like to extend its best wishes to the new Member States of FAO.
Over the past three and a half years, IFAD has committed the equivalent of about US$ 1 100 million in concessional loans and grants to finance seventy-five agricultural and rural development projects and ninety-one technical assistance programmes. The financial resources provided by IFAD have assisted seventy countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America in their efforts to increase food production and alleviate rural poverty. More specifically, IFAD's projects and programmes have been
designed to provide, inter alia, the following benefits to small farmers: access to new or improved lands resulting from irrigation or settlement schemes; improved opportunities for obtaining credit, water, and other inputs and services; more equitable crop-sharing arrangements with landlords; and finally the formation of rural organizations through which they can effectively participate in development activities.
The Articles of Agreement establishing IFAD and the Lending Policies and Criteria both give full recongition to the need to promote a spirit of cooperation and self-reliance among member developing countries.For example, the Articles provide that IFAD's procurement guidelines, while conforming to the principles of international competitive bidding, should give appropriate preference to experts, technicians and supplies from developing countries. IFAD's efforts to organize small farmers and the landless into viable groups also contribute to the objectives of achieving people's participation and self-reliant development strategies.The capacity of these groups is strengthened by their assuming responsability for distributing credit and other inputs, maintaining irrigation works, and marketing their products.In this connection, IFAD focuses on the development of management capabilities and national institution building. To ensure that the objectives of its projects are realized, IFAD requires that the projects have explicit monitoring and evaluation components.
Mr. Chairman, through you, I am pleased to inform delegates that IFAD has continued to cooperate closely with FAO.I would like to note with particular appreciation that FAO has continued to provide assistance which has helped IFAD in carrying out its lending operations smoothly.The FAO Investment Centre's role in undertaking on behalf of IFAD a significant number of project identification and preparation missions deserves special mention in this regard.
At the beginning of my intervention I indicated that IFAD has attained a total commitment level equivalent to about US$ 1 100 million. This means that the initial resources of slightly over a billion dollars have been exhausted.
Negotiations on the replenishment of IFAD's resources have been going on for more than two years. The delay in finalizing the replenishment has already made it necessary for IFAD to slow down its lending operations. For instance, a development loan to a member developing country was approved recently by IFAD's Executive Board with the proviso that the loan is subject to the availability of funds.
In view of the delay in concluding these negotiations, the President of IFAD convened an informal high-level meeting of IFAD's two major donor groups, the OECD and OPEC Groups, at the end of September, at the time of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings.Significant progress was made at that meeting. Specifically, the OECD countries agreed to raise their earlier offer of US$ 595 million to US$ 620 million on condition that there be a matching US$ 450 million contribution from the OPEC countries. The latter, for their part, agreed to contibute US$ 430 million on the basis of a previous decision of the Ministerial Council of the OPEC Fund for International Development, and to recommend the decision regarding an additional contribution of US$ 20 million to the Ministerial Council. Since the Ministerial Council is not likely to meet till June 1982, efforts are being made to secure a decision by cable.
It is hoped that this important sten will be completed before the end of the year, allowing member governments in Category I and Category II to deposit their instruments of contributions. IFAD will thus have new resources of about US$ 1 100 million, including about US$ 30 million from Category III countries. The US$ 30 million pledged by Category III developing countries includes US$ 10 million pledged recently by Brazil. Together with the balance of US$ 230 million at the end of 1980, IFAD will be able to carry out an operational programme of the level of at least US$ 1 300 million in the three year period 1981-83, compared to US$ 900 million in the first three years.
In conclusion, I would like to mention that IFAD appreciates highly the strong support expressed in various fora for the replenishment of its resources. Such support was expressed last month at the Cancun Summit Meeting held in Mexico. With the replenishment now in sight, IFAD can continue to make its modest contribution to the efforts of its developing member countries to solve the problems of hunger and rural poverty.
Ms D. SEPTEMBER (African National Congress of South Africa): Mr. President and Friends, On behalf of the leadership and general membership of the African National Congress of South Africa we wish to express our appreciation to FAO for having invited us in an observer capacity to participate in the Twenty-First Session of this Conference. We also wish this Conference success in its deliberations.
At this juncture, we call upon FAO to bear with us while we very briefly say something about the situation in South Africa.When the Colonialists came to our country, they expropriated our land, stole our cattle and forced us to work in the mines and on the farms, where they exploit us, up till to-day. Our exploitation means that the black people, especially the Africans, are grossly underpaid, while the exploiters make super-high profits. A direct result of this is that the black majority cannot buy the bare necessities of life.
We face a situation where our people, especially our children, starve to death in a country like South Africa that exports food and fruit. The majority of our children suffer from malnutrition and K washiakor which is an advanced stage of malnutrition. And this is happening in a country of plenty.But this is all part of South Africa's vile policy of genocide which it practises against the oppressed people.Besides using guns and brutal torture, it starves its black. population.
Racist South Africa claims that it is making changes in its apartheid system. We say that this is not so. The creation of the Bantustans and resettlement camps are making the lives of millions of people a nightmare. Mothers with children, the aged, the sick and unemployed, are dumped in these places where living conditions are appalling, where hunger and starvation is the order of the day.The people are still being forcefully removed from the towns and cities to go and live in arid dumps where nobody can eke out a subsistence.
The Pass Laws which curtail the movements of the African poulation, and the migrant labour system that separate families, are all still in existence.We are convinced that there can only be real change in South Africa, when the whole racist system is dismantled.
The Pretoria regime tries to intimidate us by increasing its military spending by 40% to R2 465 Billion Rands.It thinks that by intensifying its application of the apartheid system that the people will be afraid to resist.But the upsurge of political and mass action show that our people are not intimidated. The activities of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the People's Army, show that we are not scared.Our army is hitting at targets right in the heart of South Africa.
Racist South Africa tries to intimidate us by passing the death sentence on the sons of Africa.The only only crime that they have committed is to love their country and to struggle for its liberation so that we shall be able to live in a democratic South Africa, free from oppression, apartheid, racism and exploitation.
At this juncture we want to sharply draw attention of the world to the hypocrisy of the talk of 'meaningful change', as such talk in reality is only another means of giving credibility to a fascist regime embarked on a policy of genocide.Our demand is for the total all-round isolation of the South African regime and the full implementation of sanctions.
The liberation struggle of South Africa for freedom and independence, a direct confrontation between the people of South Africa under the Leadership of the African National Congress and the Apartheid regime, has reached unprecedented heights.The cumulative effect of brutal oppression by the white minority regime and inferior Bantu Education, which make second-class citizens of the Black people of South Africa, has forced thousands of our young people to leave the country seeking refuge in the neighbouring African States. These states have responded generously to our problems, providing places in schools and other assistance.But these host countries are faced with the task of constructing their economies, and cannot, be expected to provide adequate assistance to our people.Quite apart from providing them with health, educational and transport facilities, it is imperative that the ANC provides facilities to the refugees in the field of agriculture and vocational training which will enable us to become self-sufficient.To this end we must commend the UNHCR for all the assistance that it has rendered to us.In this context, we call upon FAO to match that assistance so that we can become self-sufficient in food production.
At this stage I want to give a short summary of agricultural projects of the African National Congress: We have a LUSAKA FARM which consists of 3 300 acres, 40 km north of Lusaka. Here we have made considerable progress although we have had problems in obtaining animal feed for about four months. However, this has now been solved.
During 1980/1981, some of the land was placed under Maize, Sunflower, Groundnuts, Sorghum, Beans, Potatoes, Vegetables and Paw-paws.
We also have a poultry section which consists of chickens, ducks and turkeys.
We have a piggery, beef-cattle and goats. We are being supplied with beef and pork, sometimes once a week, sometimes twice a week.Unfortunately, we face the problem of not having proper refrigeration facilities.At the moment we have only a cooling system which is proving to be very inadaquate.
We have an agricultural training programme at this farm and the prime objective of the ANC is to train young, small scale commercial farmers.The initial intention is to have 25 to 30 trainees at any time. Although we have not been able to get a full complement of students, 15 are already training in basic agriculture, farm management and food production.
Training in equipment operation and maintenance is available through an existing FAO project within Zambia.
It should be borne in mind that the oppressive and exploitative society under which we live, has created in our minds a negative attitude towards the land and manual labour, notwithstanding the fact that in a free South Africa and in our Document of Principles, the Freedom Charter, we specifically state that the land shall belong to those who work it. It therefore becomes extremely important that during the course of our struggle for freedom, we prepare our people in the art of scientific management of the land and the production of the nation's food. The establishment of an educational or training programme will offer us, among other things, the following:
a. Provide theoretical and practical experience in agriculture both for young and mature students, who are not in a position to go to training colleges and institutions.
b. Contribute to the fund-raising effort by providing the much needed labour on the farms.
c. Kindle our young people's interest in agriculture as a profession, and all of them to the fulfilment of a useful and contributary place in society.
We also have a farm at Makeni which consists of 20 acres, about 10 km South West of Lusaka. On this farm, about 2 years ago, we cultivated vegetables. However, we ran into some difficulties because of personnel problems. We are again concentrating on this piece of land. It has already been ploughed. We envisage having an assortment of vegetables sown here.
On this farm we need to have all the necessary seeds and farm equipment. We were forced to hire equipment so that we could plough the land.
In Tanzania at Morogoro we have a vegetable farm which provides for some of the needs of the present population at Morogoro.
It is also envisaged to use part of this land for other crops, such as dairy crops.
This whole project is part of the school building project and therefore is linked to a complex of projects including a piggery, poultry house, hospital and classrooms.
A new allotment of land has been made to the ANC by the Tanzanian Government. For this we are very grateful.There are 15 000 acres at Dakawa and 3 500 acres at Mazimbu.
The College Farm, as the land at Mazimbu is called, will be placed under maize, beans, sorghum, sunflower and vegetables.
There will also be dairy production, piggery, poultry and feeds production.
The granting of the land at Dakawa poses a mammoth task to us. The Tanzanian Government is very interested in this land and our scheme. It could be argued that this is a demonstration scheme, as hopefully, when this scheme is successful, it might motivate the local population. This shows that the Tanzanian Government has confidence in the ANC and therefore we must address ourselves very seriously to this project and make it a success.
At this scheme we envisage producing rice, maize, sorghum, beans, sunflower, cotton, ranching for beef.
We also hope to set up our own slaughter house and butcher building equipped with everything necessary to slaughter, to carve up and store the animals which are reared at Mazimbu, for consumption by our community.
With our aim to eventually supply 2 000 people with beef, pork, goats/meat and chickens, it is imperative to plan ahead, to be certain that the livestock from Mazimbu farm can be effectively dealt with on the spot, in the best possible conditions.
We utilise a small existing, renovated building where we carve up and refrigerate meat from animals slaughtered elsewhere-approximately three head of cattle and two pigs per week.This is already inadaquate for all our present, needs, both in size and in refrigeration space.
In this area we hope to set up a feed mix station where we aim to erect a storage silo for home-grown grain and to house the machinery which will convert the grain into animal and poultry feed.
With the additional land that we now have, we shall be able to grow far more crops and plan to rear, on a larger scale, cattle, pigs, goats and chickens.
As it is virtually impossible to obtain grain in Dar-Es-Salaam, even as animal feed, it is, therefore, imperative that we utilise part of our crop for livestock feed. We would then hope to be totally self-sufficient in food for our community.
This area also offers experimental avenues for our trained personnel in the Natural Sciences and in particular in the following: Seed Multiplication, Liming Trial, Phosphate and Potassium trials, Soil Chemistry, Irrigation Techniques, Animal Husbandry, Horticultural Practices.
In Angola where we have the majority of our people situated, we have endless problems trying to feed them. Left to themselves, our people are unable to overcome their present difficulties with regard to basic needs such as food, health care and transport facilities to mention but a few. The host Government is at present confronted with the herculian task of reconstruction and cannot be expected at this stage to provide adequate material assitance to this group of refugees.
Quite apart from providing them with health, educational and transport facilities, it is imperative that these people be provided with facilities in the fields of agriculture and vocational training which will enable them to become self-sufficient.
The ANC is currently planning to establish an intergrated agricultural settlement for our people in the Province of Benguela.To this effect, the Angolan Ministry of Agriculture has received a detailed request from the African National Congress of South Africa.This is presently under review.
Some 5 000 South African refugees shall be provided with agricultural hand tools, seeds, fertilisers, pesticides, tractors and tractor implements.Apart from enabling the refugees to supplement their diet by growing vegetables and maize, this project aims also at enabling them to engage in useful activity while acquiring new and simple agricultural techniques and the methods of progressive crop rotation.
At this juncture we wish to express our appreciation to FAO for the material assistance which has already been rendered to us so that we are able to develop our food production.
In December 1980, we received the sum of 26 000 US Dollars which we used to acquire seeds, fertilisers, tractor parts and tractor spares. We have purchased fertilisers and seeds from an allocation of 20 000 US Dollars which was made in March 1981.These we are going to use in the current planting season.
Requests have been made by our Project Manager at the school for a Self-Reliance project in milk for women and children and a dairy farm. Mazimbu having become the main centre for our mothers and children, we have extended our primary school and nursery school to cater for 120 children, a creche for all the babies under 2 years and we are in the process of building hostels to house the young mothers.A need for fresh milk and dairy products is therefore imperative.
We have also asked FAO to help us to make a feasibility study of our newly acquired land at Dakawa.
Now, regarding the above-mentioned Self-Reliance project, Milk for Women and Children, FAO is helping only with the purchase of dairy cows to the tune of $50 000 US. Our request for help for the setting up of a small dairy, that is, to finance the dairy buildings and equipment for forage production, has been turned down by FAO.
Regarding our request for a feasibility study at Dakawa, FAO is showing an interest but has made no firm commitment.
Mr. President, I have tried to explain why so many of our people are leaving South Africa and this situation will worsen.I have tried to explain at length how we are trying to become self-sufficient. I must stress that we shall only be able to become self-sufficient in food if we get help from organizations like FAO. We wish to express our deep concern at FAO for not giving us the aid that we request.
We urge FAO, as a matter of expediency, to help us to feed our people and to become self-sufficient in food.
EL PRESIDENTE: Concedo ahora el uso de la palabra a la señora María Teresa Guicciardi, representante permanente ante la FAO de la Confederación Internacional de Organizaciones Sindicales Libres. No está aquí, por lo tanto, con el último orador que hemos escuchado se acaba el debate general.
Me hacen saber que han participado en este debate general los representantes de 126 Estados Miembros, el Observador Permanente de la Santa Sede, los representantes de tres Organizaciones del Sistema de las Naciones Unidas, tres Movimientos de Liberación, dos Organizaciones Intergubernamentales y una Organización no-gubernamental, llegando a un total de 136 oradores.
También tengo, ahora, una solicitud, para tomar la palabra, de la Federación Sindical Mundial, una Organización no-gubernamental con Estatuto Consultivo.
Lamentablemente esta solicitud no ha podido ser considerada por el Comité General, como lo prevé el artículo XVII párrafo 3 del Reglamento General que establece como condición previa para hacer uso por parte de una organización no gubernamental en esta Conferencia el tratamiento previo por parte del Comité General.
Propongo, de todos modos, si no hay objeciones, que esta declaración de la Federación Sindical Mundial sea incluida en las actas de la presente sesión. Por lo tanto, ustedes dirán si aceptan esta proposición que formulamos de que el texto de esta declaración sea incluido en las actas de esta sesión de la Conferencia.
Bueno, no veo objeciones y, por lo tanto, así queda decidido.
Señores delegados, hemos llegado prácticamente al fin de las declaraciones de las delegaciones y antes de levantar la sesión, si ustedes me lo permiten, desearía formular algunas apreciaciones personales sobre lo que he escuchado en estos días de sesiones plenarias.
Hemos llegado al término de nuestro debate general. Al cabo de dieciseis sesiones plenarias pudimos escuchar toda la gama de opiniones, actitudes, objetivos y aspiraciones que los países del mundo encarnan en materia de agricultura y alimentación.
La realidad en este ámbito se manifiesta con tal diversidad y riqueza, tanto en sus matices positivos como en sus aspectos dramáticos que sería inapropiado por mi parte intentar hacer una síntesis de las declaraciones escuchadas. Creo, además, que cada minuto, que cada jefe de delegación ha podido darnos un panorama significativo y completo, cuando no profundamente conmovedor y estimulante de sus respectivas realidades nacionales.
Para mí, en mi condición de Presidente, por la voluntad de ustedes, ha sido una experiencia sumamente interesante y valiosa. Me han impresionado particularmente algunos discursos que han traído a esta sala las necesidades urgentes, las carencias crónicas, los obstáculos numerosos que comprometen la situación alimentaria de algunos países del mundo en desarrollo; algunas tendencias preocupantes que afectan a ciertos países que enfrentan una declinación agrícola y, consecuentemente, una reducción de sus disponibilidades de alimentos por habitante con el consiguiente deterioro, a veces alarmantes, de los niveles de nutrición.
Lo expuesto confirma desde mi punto de vista la necesidad de preservar a nuestra Organización, la FAO, e incluso de robustecerla para que pueda cumplir con sus objetivos plenamente.
Este creo que ha sido un mensaje inequívoco y reiterado en todos nuestros discursos. Creo que estamos de acuerdo en reconocer también que el problema alimentario que hoy enfrentamos es consecuencia de la prolongada crisis de la actual estructura internacional. El hambre es manifestación de la pobreza.
En la audiencia especial que nos concedió a la 21a Conferencia de la FAO Su Santidad subrayó esta crítica situación al exhortarnos a que: "Como prioridad absoluta, los intensos esfuerzos de todos deben encaminarse a la eliminación de la pobreza que aflige a las poblaciones de muchos países en desarrollo. La pobreza absoluta-dijo Su Santidad-es una condición en la cual la vida está tan limitada por falta de alimentación, por la malnutrición, el analfabetismo, la elevada mortalidad infantil y la baja espectativa de vida, que está por debajo de toda definición racional de la decencia humana".
En materia de seguridad alimentaria, creo que hemos concordado en que la única solución verdadera reside en el incremento de la producción y el desarrollo economicodelos pueblos que sufren por la necesidad de alimentos. Me parece, entonces, que la ayuda alimentaria es solamente un paliativo, pero necesario, que debe seguir existiendo hasta tanto cada nación haya desenvuelto las potencialidades que le permitan abastecer a su población.
Quisiera también recordar el mensaje que nos dejó la Primer Ministro de la India, señora Indira Ghandi, al pronunciar su disertación en memoria del doctor Mac Dougall cuando dijo: "que si una nación como la India, de 683 millones de habitantes, puede alimentarse a sí misma, el problema del hambre no puede de ninguna manera ser insuperable".
Por mi parte creo que después de siete años de la Conferencia Mundial de la Alimentación, una de las principales conclusiones que podríamos formular en el actual balance del camino recorrido por nuestros países es que no hay recetas universales, que no hay soluciones únicas, ni esquemas establecidos que resulten válidos para todos. Hay una enorme variedad de vías que reflejan la diversidad entre nuestros países, nuestros hábitos alimentarios, nuestras características culturales y nuestras demandas de complementación, y tengo la impresión que en la humildad y dedicación con que auscultemos esas variadas necesidades profundas, los requerimientos alimentarios de nuestros pueblos, las aspiraciones de nuestros productores, al proponer ayuda tengamos en cuenta la propia imagen de la dignidad e identidad nacionales, y residirá, quizás, la verdadera medida de nuestro éxito.
Como Ministro de Agricultura de la Argentina, un país en el cual las actividades agrícolas ocupan un lugar fundamental y se identifican con nuestra historia nacional, estoy convencido que un elemento esencial de todo desarrollo agrícola es el estímulo al agricultor, o sea al hombre que trabaja la tierra.
La complejidad y variedad del fenómeno agrícola mundial, no debería hacernos olvidar que su expansión depende básicamente de la decisión personal de millones de agricultores de producir más, para sí mismos y para sus semejantes.
Por supuesto, que ello no implica desconocer el valor de la planificación y el establecimiento de objetivos nacionales y metas internacionales, pero creo que ello no puede suscitar por sí sola ni sustituir válidamente el impulso natural del hombre hacia la naturaleza para extraer sus frutos y conservar su equilibrio profundo.
E. HAMERNIK (Observer for World Federation of Trade Unions): Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of the World Federation of Trade Unions, I would like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to take the floor at the 21st session of the Conference.
We have studied the documents prepared for this session as well as listened to the statement of the Director-General with keen interest, sharing the overall concern about the increasing hunger and malnutrition in the world.
In the opinion of the WFTU, which regroups in its ranks more than 200 million members, millions of whom live and work in rural areas, it is only with the support and genuine participation of rural workers that one can envisage the solution of serious problems that weigh today heavily upon the world agriculture.This principle is also reaffirmed in the main preparatory documents for the 10th World Trade Union Congress, to be held in Havana from February 10-15, 1982, the most important gathering of trade unionists which will play a great attention to the very problems at the centre of the FAO activities.
That is why the WFTU is seeking to strengthen and expand its cooperation with FAO in the interest of rural workers we represent and for the general development of agriculture and the food industry.
In this respect, we value the new type of relationsthat started to develop between FAO and the international trade union organizations and was confirmed during the 7th FAO-trade union consultation in May 1981. We consider theseconsultation to be important and useful for both parties and therefore, we wish to emphasize the necessity that the FAO Director-General holds them regularly, including consultations at regional level in all continents.
Mr. Chairman, just a month ago, the world celebrated its first "Food Day". We are convinced that as long as the social and economic relations are based on domination and exploitation both nationally and internationally, there is no way out of the problems of starvation. Therefore, the WFTU in its appeal
on the occasion of the World Food Day underlines the fact that a problem so serious needs much more than a simple commemorative day-it requires urgent national and international actions. The true causes and culprits responsible for hunger and malnutrition are widely known-so are the right solutions, the only thing which fails is a vital political will to implement them.
And let us also remember the cost of the arms race. The monstrosity of military spendings is particularly striking when we think of the tens of millions of human beings who die every year from hunger or curable deseases.This is why the WFTU insists so much upon the vital necessity of maintaining and strengthening the policy of detente and disarmament.
Mr. Chairman, our organization considers the WCARRD follow-up to be the most important of the programme of work of FAO for the next period.
You might remember that the WFTU devoted a great effort, together with other trade union organizations, at the time of the preparations of the WCARRD and this resulted in strengthening the final documents of the Conference in particular as far as the people's participation in rural development is concerned. FAO as a pilot institution within the UN system in the follow-up of the WCARRD has proved its special responsability by presenting various programmes, among which the "Programme on People's Participation in Rural Development" is of highest interest to our organization, as it opens up new possibilities for united trade union actions in favour of genuine agrarian reform.
We are very satisfied to inform you here that FAO has encouraged the international trade union organizations to come up with concrete projects and indicate what kind of FAO's support they would need to meet their demands and resolve problems at national level.
In this respect, we have already had talks with the FAO representatives on the possibility of undertaking joint long-term pilot projects (covering a period of 3 to 5 years) which would be carried out in cooperation with some of our member organizations and with the support of the respective governments. As the preparatory phase is coming to an end very successfully we hope to present the project to the FAO Director-General for approval as soon as possible.
While estimating very positively the FAO's work on the WCARRD follow-up, we have to express here our concern on the cooperation with institutions at the policy-making level. It is with deep regret that the trade unions do not see any evidence of the vital political desire on the part of many governments to arrive at genuine, radical and democratic agrarian reform and real participation of the people in rural development.
In order to enable the trade unionsto play their proper role in agriculture, the governments must recognize the right of rural workers to associate in unions and to respect their trade union rights and freedoms, especially in conformity with the respective stipulations of the Conventions and Recommendations of the International Labour Organization. We are concerned by the fact that several governments are waiting too long to ratify the ILO Convention No. 141 of 1975 concerning the organizations of rural workers and their role in economic and social development. Until now, only 21 countries have done so. On this occasion, we would like to launch another call to governments to ratify and implement this Convention because without the recognition of the rights of rural workers, all attempts at people's participation would remain an illusion.
Convinced that the Conference will take account of our remarks and proposals, we would like to wish it every success in its work 1/.
K. OULAI (Côte-d'Ivoire): Monsieur le Président, Honorables Délégués, au moment où j'ai le privilège de prendre la parole au nom de mon pays devant cette auguste assemblée, qu'il me soit permis de vous féliciter pour votre brillante élection à la tête de la 21ème Session de la Conférence générale de la FAO.
Mon Gouvernement remercie tous les organisateurs de cette Conférence au premier rang desquels il faut citer le Directeur Général de la FAO, le Docteur SAOUMA dont le dynamisme et l'efficacité appréciés de tous lui ont valu un nouveau mandat de Directeur Général de notre Organisation. La COTE-D'IVOIRE l'en félicite et lui donne l'assurance de tout son soutien pour ses actions actuelles et futures.
__________1/ Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
L'opportunité qui m'est offerte me permet au nom de mon pays de saluer avec joie, l'entrée dans la grande famille de la FAO de pays frères, j'ai nommé le ZIMBABWE, SAINT-VINCENT-et-GRENADINES, la GUINEE EQUATORIALE, le BHOUTAN, et le TONGA.
Monsieur le Président, l'un des problèmes les plus importants de cette fin de siècle est sans aucun doute celui de la faim et de la malnutrition dans le monde.
L'alimentation a été et demeure encore l'objectif principal de l'activité humaine. Malgré les progrès accomplis dans divers domaines et particulièrement dans celui de la science, le problème de l'alimentation reste sans solution et constitue un sujet d'inquiétude pour tous.
La plupart des pays du Tiers Monde ont subi à un moment de leur existence la domination de pays colonisateurs et ceux-ci ont mis en place un modèle de développement qui visait à fournir à la puissance colonisatrice les matières premières nécessaires aux besoins de leur industrie.C'est ainsi que des produits comme le café, le cacao ont pu bénéficier de toutes les conditions favorables à leur développement.
Dans la majorité des cas, les Etats du Tiers Monde après leur indépendance, pour des besoins de devises indispensables à leur développement ont gardé le même modèle économique du passé.
L'agriculture vivrière délaissée dans son état d'agriculture traditionnelle n'arrive plus à couvrir les besoins des populations qui croissent rapidement.
Cette situation est aggravée par les catastrophes telles que les sécheresses et les inondations qui amenuisent lesdisponibilités alimentaires déjà insuffisant.
Les pays du Tiers Monde, pour couvrir les besoins alimentaires de leurs populations, sont obligés d'importer des denrées alimentaires à grands frais, ce qui accentue leurs endettements extérieurs. Pendant ce temps, le prix des biens d'équipements importés des pays industrialisés augmentent mais les produits de base sont payés à des prix dérisoires non rémunérateurs. Le cas des prix du café et du cacao est un exemple dont Son Excellence, Monsieur Félix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, Président de la République de COTE-D'IVOIRE ne cesse de souligner l'importance pour son pays.
La théorie des avantages comparatifs voudrait que la production alimentaire se fasse dans les pays nantis afin qu'une distribution permette aux économiquement faibles de se ravitailler sur le marché mondial.
Parmi les denrées alimentaires importées, les céréales occupent une place prépondérante.
La mise au point de variétés hybrides de maïs, blé et riz ont permis pendant une période hélas courte, de faire croire à une surproduction mondiale. Ces variétés à haute potentialité ont contribué à une forte augmentation de la production céréalière et plus particulièrement celle du riz.
Pendant cette révolution verte, les pays du Tiers Monde pouvaient se procurer du riz sur le marché mondial à un prix défiant toute concurrence. En effet, les pays producteurs subventionnaient le riz à l'exportation pour des raisons de politique intérieure.
Toutefois, le dumping ne pouvait durer longtemps au niveau d'un marché sur lequel l'offre est très aléatoire.Il a suffi d'une augmentation de la demande, accompagnée de quelques annés de sécheresse pour que le riz se raréfie. Cette situation justifie les flambées de prix du riz sur le marché mondial en 1973.Cette hausse a été durement ressentie par les pays importateurs, notamment les moins nantis.
La dépendance de l'extérieur pour la couverture de leurs besoins alimentaires est un danger permanent pour la survie des Etats du Tiers Monde.
La COTE-D'IVOIRE est pleinement consciente de cette situation et je voudrais saisir l'opportunité que vous m'offrez, Monsieur le Président, pour donner quelques informations sur les préoccupations de mon pays et les'dispositions prises dans le cadre de la recherche de son autosuffisance alimentaire.
En ce qui concerne les cultures vivrières
Sur le plan politique, le 7ème Congrès du Parti Démocratique de COTE-D'IVOIRE (P.D.C.I.-R.D.A.), sous la direction de Son Excellence Monsieur Félix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY, a décidéd'accorder la priorité au développement des cultures vivrières.
Le Président de la République a pris ensuite la décision de créer un Secrétariat d'Etat à 1 agriculture particulièrement chargé de la promotion des cultures vivrières.
Il s'agit pour le Secrétariat d'Etat d'organiser, sur des bases rationnelles et cohérentes, la production vivrière en vue d'atteindre dans un délai raisonnable l'autosuffisance alimentaire du pays.
Les efforts de production se porteront en priorité sur le riz qui fait l'objet d'importations massives. La Côte-d'Ivoire a importé 242 000 tonnes de riz en 1980 et atteindra les 300 000 tonnes en 1981. La production du riz prendra en compte toutes les formes de rizicultures pratiquées dans le pays (riz irrigué, riz pluvial). Elle se fera sous la forme d'une agriculture intensive à haute productivité sans mettre en péril lecapital forêt, autre richesse pour les générations futures.
Quels que soient les efforts faits pour accroître la production, la Côte-d'Ivoire n'atteindra pas son autosuffisance à partir de la seule production rizicole. Il faudra donc une action vigoureuse sur les autres vivriers.
S'agissant des féculents comme l'igname et la banane plantain qui jouent un rôle important dans l'alimentation des Ivoiriens, des efforts seront faits dans plusieurs directions.
Le caractère saisonnier très marqué de ces produits conduit à une courte période d'abondance (4 à 5 mois) suivie d'une longue période de pénurie. La production de contre saison permettra de disposer de ces produits sur une période plus longue de l'année. Des études très poussées permettront de lancer dans un avenir très proche un programme de production de contre saison de la banane plantain. Les études se poursuivent pour l'igname.
Compte tenu du caractère périssable de ces produits, des efforts seront faits pour l'amélioration des conditions de conservation et de stockage.
Les pertes sont énormes après les récoltes et elles vont de 25 à 50 pour cent de la production.
Il sera également nécessaire de trouver pour ces denrées périssables, d'autres modes de conservation par la transformation, comme il est expérimenté actuellement pour le manioc. La recherche technologique a un important rôle à jouer dans la promotion des cultures vivrières. La Côte-d'Ivoire a confié cette tâche à la Société ivoirienne de Technologie tropicale (ITT).
L'augmentation de la production vivrière exigera la mécanisation et l'utilisation de semences de qualité et des engrais. Mon pays a un programme de réalisation de 6 fermes semencières (riz, maïs et soja) dont quatre sont en place, destinées à fournir aux paysans des semences d'élite.
Au titre de la production animale
Si la Côte-d'Ivoire doit l'essor assez remarquable qu'on lui accorde parmi les pays en voie d'émergence essentiellement à son agriculture florissante, on est bien obligé de reconnaître, hélas, que le domaine de l'élevage était resté à l'écart de ce développement général depuis son accession à l'indépendance.
En effet, jusqu'en 1970, la Côte-d'Ivoire ne couvrait à peine que 20 pour cent de ses besoins en viande de boucherie.
Cette faiblesse s'explique en partie par le fait que l'Ivoirien n'est traditionnellement pas un éleveur, mais surtout par des raisons d'ordre sanitaire: (épizoties classiques courantes, maladies parasitaires dont la plus importante est la trypanosomiase).
Cependant, obligé de faire face au problème que lui pose le plafonnement des livraisons en viande bovine provenant des pays limitrophes, la Côte-d'Ivoire a décidé d'intensifier son élevage afin de répondre aux exigences de plus en plus croissantes des Ivoiriens en alimentation carnée. La priorité donnée à l'élevage depuis 1975 par le gouvernement sera la plateforme sur laquelle se bâtira plus tard une véritable activité pastorale.
C'est, en premier lieu, l'aviculture qui recevra l'impulsion la plus forte et la plus rapide par la formation et l'intégration moderne comportant une fabrique d'aliments, un couvoir industriel et un abattoir. A cette première structure sont venus s'ajouter d'autres usines d'aliments et un autre couvoir.
La filière avicole ainsi mise en place a permis un accroissement de 25 pour cent de la production entre 1975 et 1980.
De son côté, l'élevage de porcs a connu une augmentation sensible de sa productivité grâce à l'intensification de l'encadrement, à l'utilisation d'aliments complets et à la mise en place de filières porcines.
Au niveau des petits ruminants, des actions rigoureuses ont permis en cinq ans de faire passer le cheptel de 1 300 000 à 1 500 000 têtes.
La mise en place en 1977 d'un programme national ovin basé essentiellement sur l'exploitation de la race locale et comprenant un centre de multiplication, de sélection et d'initiation aux nouvelles techniques d'élevage mises au point pour l'encadrement des paysans suscite beaucoup d'espoir pour l'avenir.
Quant à l'élevage de bovins, il a fait l'objet d'une attention particulière et soutenue. Parmi les actions menées dans ce secteur, on retiendra: l'intensification de l'encadrement des éleveurs, l'amélioration des conditions d'abreuvement du bétail, la mise en place d'une politique hardie d'hydraulique pastorale, l'amélioration des procédés d'alimentation par l'exploitation conjointe de pâturage naturel et artificiel, l'utilisation de certains sous-produits agro-industriels disponibles (mélasses de canne à sucre, tourteaux, etc.), l'amélioration génétique du cheptel par la distribution de taureaux sélectionnés, la stabilisation de l'élevage transhuman.
Toutes ces actions pour lesquelles il a fallu à l'Etat, et pour lesquelles il lui faudra encore continuer de consentir de lourds sacrifices financiers malgré une conjoncture mondiale très difficile, devraient permettre à la Côte-d'Ivoire de contribuer à l'augmentation des productions animales de notre sous-région.
Les résultats, bien que probants, sont loin de nous satisfaire puisqu'ils n'ont permis de couvrir que 43% des besoins en viande du pays en 1980.
Tous les programmes de développement évoqués plus haut et particulièrement ceux de la production bovine seront plus lents à faire sentir leurs effets en raison de certaines contraintes dont la plus importante à l'heure actuelle, même pour les races trypanotolérantes, est la trypanosomiase, maladie parasitaire transmise par les glossines. La lutte contre cette maladie passe nćessairement par l'eradication de son vecteur.Or, cette eradication ne devrait plus être considérée comme un obstacle insurmontable.
Les premiers essais de lutte antiglossinaires effectués dans le cadre de l'aménagement des zones d'accueil des zébus transhumants dans le Nord du pays ont bien montré qu'il existe des méthodes d'eradication efficaces, relativement peu coûteuses et sans danger pour l'équilibre écologique.
Forte de cette expérience, la Côte-d'Ivoire poursuivant ses efforts avec l'aide de la République Fédérale d'Allemagne vient de se doter de sa première carte glossinaire pour toute la zone des savanes situées au Nord-ouest du pays.
Cependant, le phénomène de la réinvasion par le vecteur de la zone traitée tel que nous l'avons observé montre qu'il importe que l'exécution d'un tel programme d'eradication des glossines soit non seulement étendue à une zone plus vaste mais faite en harmonie avec les pays limitrophes si l'on veut en garantir le succès comme pour l'onchocercose.
L'exécution de tous ces programmes a permis d'atteindre un accroissement de la production nationale globale de viande de 38 pour cent passant de 28 800 tonnes en 1975 à 40 000 tonnes en 1980.
Ces résultats, bien que probants, sont loin de nous satisfaire puisqu'ils n'auraient permis de couvrir que 43 pour cent des besoins en viande du pays en 1980. Cependant tout espoir n'est pas vain car la trypanosomiase, qui est la maladie bovine la plus meurtrière et la plus répandue, est en voie d'eradication. En effet, les premiers essais de lutte effectués dans le cadre de l'aménagement des zones d'accueil des zèbres transhumans a montré qu'il existe certainement des méthodes d'éradication efficaces relativement peu coûteuses et sans danger pour l'équilibre écologique. Forte de cette expérience la Côte-d'Ivoire, avec l'assistance de la République fédérale d'Allemagne, vient de terminer sa première carte de répartition glossinaire pour la zone de savane située au Nord-Ouest du pays.
Mais le phénomène de la rêinvasion par le secteur, tel qu'il a été observé, montre qu'il importe d'associer les pays limitrophes à l'action menée pour que le succès d'une campagne d'envergure soit durable.
Monsieur le Président, mon paysest entièrement disposé à souscrire à une action régionale d'éradication de glossines. Et pour ce faire, il voudrait solliciter le concours de toutes les bonnes volontés disponibles, et particulièrement l'aide de la FAO, afin que son expérience facilite la réalisation d'un tel objectif.
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La Côte-d'Ivoire étant avant tout un pays à vocation agricole, l'objectif de sa politique de développement économique doit être à terme une association de l'Agriculture et de l'élevage sans que cela porte préjudice à la forêt. En d'autres termes, la recherche de la solution au problème de la faim ne doit en aucune façon hypothéquer l'avenir par une destruction abusive des forêts.
Vous comprenez alors pourquoi, Monsieur le président, la Côte-d'Ivoire a attaché une importance particulière au cri d'alarme lancé par le Directeur général de la FAO, Monsieur Saouma au Congrès forestier mondial tenu à Djakarta en 1978.
Ainsi pour la préservation et la revalorisation de sa forêt, mon pays a mis au point et applique actuellement une politique cohérente qui se définit en quatre points:
- Délimitation d'un domaine forestier permanent de l'Etat,
- Reconstitution du capital forestier par le reboisement,
- Identification de nouvelles essences commercialisables,
- Mise en place d'une industrie valorisant au maximum la production locale.
A terme cette politique permettra:
- De maintenir à l'horizon de l'an 2000 un massif forestier de 5 millions d'hectares aménagé pour la sylviculture et l'exploitation forestière,
- De donner une valeur commerciale à des essences qui, jusque là, étaient négligées, d'ajouter de la valeur à l'activité forestière par la création d'emplois sur place.
CONCLUSION
Monsieur le Président, en guise de conclusion, permettez-moi de réaffirmer la ferme volonté de mon Pays pour la recherche de son autosuffisance alimentaire.
La Côte-d'Ivoire a concrétisé cette volonté politique en créant un Secrétariat d'Etat à l'agriculture chargé particulièrement de la promotion des cultures vivrières; ce dernier, avec le Ministère de la production animale contient des structures spécialisées pour la production de tout ce qui rentre dans la nutrition de sos populations.
En effet, nous disposons de:
- 11 rizeries représentant une capacité d'usinage de plus de 200 000 t de paddy par an,
- 10 silos de 10 000 t chacun représentant une capacité de stockage de 100 000 t pour les céréales,
- 4 fermes semencières qui sont en voie d'achèvement sur 6 prévues,
- une filière avicole,
- des filières porcines.
Monsieur le Président, la réalisation d'importants programmes à mettre en place pour atteindre notre objectif d'autosuffisance alimentaire nécessite un important financement.
Pendant ce temps, nos matières premières sont payées à des prix dérisoires par les pays nantis, diminuant ainsi nos ressources sur lesquelles nous étions en droit de compter. La Côte-d'Ivoire n'aura jamais souligné assez que les prix accordés actuellement aux produits de base sont nettement en dessous de leurs valeurs et cela constitue une situation injuste et inadmissible. Pour ne citer que le cas de la Côte-d'Ivoire, je dirais que mon pays a perdu près de 350 milliards de F CFA sur ses recettes d'exportation à cause des bas prix du café et du cacao. Il est temps que les pays nantis comprennent la nécessité absolue de réviser leur position vis-à-vis des produits de base afin que les pays du Tiers Monde puissent valablement participer eux-mêmes à leur propre développement.
Monsieur le Président, permettez-moi de souligner l'importance que revêt la formation des cadres nationaux afin que le transfert de technologie dont on parle tant puisse ne pas se réduire à un transfert d'experts et de machines.
Il est toutefois indispensable qu'un effort particulier puisse être fait quant au soutien des actions de recherche agronomiques, technologiques (conservation, transformation et stockage), pastorales et forestières aux niveaux international, régional, sous-régional et national.
En terminant, Monsieur le Président, permettez-moi de vous renouveler les félicitations de mon pays et de dire au Directeur général de la FAO que la Côte-d'Ivoire est entièrement disposée à le soutenir dans ses actions et souhaite que des ressources à la dimension de l'oeuvre à accomplir soient mises à sa disposition afin que ses interventions ne se limitent pas à un saupoudrage de moyens insuffisants pour le nombre de pays qui attendent beaucoup de notre Organisation
The meeting rose at 16.45 hours
La séance est levée à 16 h 45
Se levanta la sesión a las 16.45 horas
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* Texte recu avec demande d’insertion au process-verbal.
