CHAIRMAN: I call this Thirteenth meeting of Commission I to order. The order of business for the Commission this morning is, first, to complete discussion on the WCARRD Programme of Action. We are running behind time and we aim to complete this item as quickly as possible this morning. Following completion of the item there will be the arrangements for adoption of the resolution related to Item 6.1, on the critical situation of food and agriculture in Africa. The arrangements for that will be discussed. The third item will be to commence discussion on Item 10 of the agenda, the Progress Report on World Food Day Activities.
Before moving to the speakers for this morning, there are a couple of other announcements. First, in relation to resolutions, I am pleased to inform the Commission that the Contact Group established to elaborate a final text of the draft resolution on WCARRD has successfully concluded its work. The text of the draft resolution as agreed by the Contact Group will be included in the Commission's draft report that will come up for adoption on Monday next week.
Following some hard work by member delegates of the Contact Groups, three of the four resolutions moved in this Commission are now ready for inclusion in the draft report and adoption next week. They are the resolutions on food security, on international agricultural adjustment and the WCARRD one that we have just discussed. The fourth resolution on the food situation in Africa will be dealt with in the course of this morning.
The Drafting Committee has made good progress. The draft reports on all the items concluded thus far have already been reviewed by the Drafting Committee. Therefore, the Committee will not have to meet to-day. Its fourth and last meeting to review the Draft Reports on Item 9, the WCARRD debate, and Item 10, World Food Aid, is scheduled to take place tomorrow, Friday 18 November, in the afternoon. The exact time and place will be announced later.
Now we move on to the completion of the WCARRD debate. I remind delegates that we are running behind time and reiterate my request of yesterday that if delegates wish to inform the Conference of progress in their own countries, they try to confine those remarks to a written statement to be handed to the Secretariat, and in this Commission speak only on the document before us.
E. SCHRODER (Germany, Federal Republic of) (original language German): When will the final text of the resolutions on world food security and international agrarian adjustments be available? Will the documents be available beforehand or will they be incorporated in the Report of this Commission?
Jan B. VAN AS (Secretary, Commission I): The arrangements for our work in the Commission with regard to the resolutions are as follows: The Contact Group established by the Commission to deal with the resolutions on food security, international agricultural adjustment and WCARRD have finished their work. The resolutions as agreed on by these Contact Groups will appear in the Draft Report that is to be adopted by this Commission on Monday morning. The resolution on the critical food situation in Africa will come up next and will be dealt with in a similar manner. Therefore, the Commission will see the final text of the four resolutions on Monday, but the Draft Reports including the resolutions will be distributed as from tomorrow mid-day so that delegates may have ample time over the week-end to look at them before their adoption on Monday.
T. OKAMOTO (Japan): I would like to congratulate the Secretariat on this Report. This work on the implementation of the WCARRD Programme of Action is very crucial. The report contains analytical and quantitative data on the progress made in the eradication of hunger and rural poverty.
As the delegation of Japan has pointed out on many occasions, it is very important for our rural development that a comprehensive plan should be formulated, to include agrarian reform and an improvement in the social system. Keeping this in mind, we support the WCARRD principle and Programme of Action. In the light of the need to support international activities, my Government is ready to contribute US$165 000 to assist the activities of the Centre for Integrated Rural Development in Asia and the Pacific in the 1983 Japanese fiscal year.
I would now like to make some brief comments on specific areas. According to the report distributed to us on access to land, many countries have been paying more attention to measures aimed at the effective implementation and improvement of existing laws pertaining to agrarian reform. The report also refers to people's participation. There has been marked progress in its conceptualization in development plans, but its translation into operational terms has been slow. I believe that land is a fundamental factor in food production and also that people's participation in development is a natural right for human beings. Each government should formulate its rural development strategies in the context of its own social, economic and political situation. The Japanese delegation welcomes the growing awareness of the importance of education, training and extension activities in rural development. Japan has been advocating the importance of cooperation on the development of human resources in the developing countries, and we place particular emphasis on the training of personnel as agricultural experts, and extension workers, who will provide the basis for rural and agricultural developments.
Finally, we support FAO's work towards achieving the WCARRD Principles and Programme of Action.
M. M. AL-HAMOUD (Saudi Arabia, Kingdom of): Since the debate deals with the evaluation of success reached in the implementation of the WCARRD Programme of Action to determine the progress achieved in this respect, taking into account the importance of the document under consideration, allow me Mr Chairman, to make the following remarks:
First, concerning the land tenure, we in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, are distributing freely arable lands to our citizens. We seek to increase the surface of agricultural land and to improve the income distribution. This is to be brought about by giving every citizen a surface of 5-20 hectares per head, and for major projects distribution goes up to four hundred hectares. The farmer is responsible for exploiting the land and for realizing land reclamation within the span of 5 years. Once the land is appropriately developed, the farmer receives the property deed of the land.
As far as forestry is concerned, a major part of the document has been consecrated to forestry development policies, forestry conservation and efforts exerted to encourage the citizens to develop, protect and exploit forests on a continuous basis. With regard to systems combining agriculture and forestry exploitation on the one hand and the cultivation of orchards and pastures, we do support this trend. However, we in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, give much attention to forests for the direct and indirect benefits of such resources for mankind. This is why we protect and develop natural forestry resources through enlightening and convincing the citizens of the importance of forestry conservation. Hence, we re-afforest mountains, stabilize sand dunes and we distribute plants to the farms to be grown around their land to serve as wind breakers.
Besides, every year we celebrate the week of tree plantation, in a bid to cultivate them in the streets and other areas in need of plants.
The document also indicated that the neglected groups of population concerned with the production of farm animals defined by the WCARRD are the nomads and the shepherds.
This group receives a great deal of attention in my country. We have been able to ameliorate the standard of living of those nomads as well as of the small farmers by providing support and by giving animal feed in large quantities and at a low cost. This served as an incentive for the nomads and the small farmers to develop animal wealth they possess and lessen over-grazing of pastures.
Mr Chairman, we in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, gave women their due rights in terms of responsibilities. In conformity with the Islamic legislation, she is entitled to possess and inherit. She works within certain limits that suit her capabilities and go in accordance with our religion.
The document demonstrated that the various studies carried out in the developing countries indicated that the production of small farmers per hectare is much higher than that of other farmers. Their share in the total food and agriculture production proved to be much higher than their share of land. It became evident that they have un-exploited potentials to contribute to the realization of food objectives and to the eradication of poverty.
Therefore, as mentioned by the document, further efforts should be made to promote the use of inputs leading to the expansion of agricultural surface and the application of appropriate technology.
As far as agricultural credit is concerned, and considering that the agricultural investments in Saudi Arabia are very costly, an agricultural bank has been created a few years ago. It gives large loans to all categories of farmers without any interest. Besides, the Government provides the farmers with agricultural machines and fertilizers, in order to encourage them to use up-to-date technology in farming.
Agricultural extension and training receives a great deal of attention, in order to promote the standard of small farmers and their families as well as that of agricultural extension officers.
R. LIEBERS BALDIVIESO (Bolivia): Mi país no necesita reiterar su posición de un firme y entusiasta apoyo a las políticas y programas de Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural, ya que los esfuerzos y actividades que hemos realizado en esta materia, han sido ampliamente expuestos en foros internacionales, y conocidos en América Latina y otros continentes.
Bolivia inicio el proceso de reivindicación del campesinado con su revolución agraria en el año 1952. Ese proceso revolucionario en las áreas rurales bolivianas fue el segundo en América Latina, después del de México realizado hace 7 décadas.
La revolución agraria constituyo un hito en el desarrollo socioeconómico boliviano; sin embargo, su aplicación no generó cambios sustanciales en la estructura de producción del agro. La ejecución de la ley se orientó hacia el minifundio surgido por el crecimiento vegetativo y el fenómeno paralelo de la excesiva parcelación de la tierra, ocasionando problemas tan graves como el déficit alimentario, la desocupación abierta o disfrazada y la migración desesperada a las ciudades.
Por otra parte, se omitió la redistribución total de las tierras cultivables asignadas, y se empantanó el proceso en una lenta titulación burocrática, sin empalmarlo a una fase cualitativamente superior, ya prevista en 1953. Me refiero a la necesidad de dotar al agro liberado, de una moderna base técnica que convierta a las masas campesinas en un factor altamente protagónico, que coadyuve al ingreso del país a un desarrollo económico independiente.
A treinta años de la Reforma Agraria boliviana, no se ha cumplido con el objetivo básico de la misma. Así lo delata la pavorosa diferencia entre el agro y nuestras ciudades. Mientras los campesinos siguen sumidos en la peor de las postergaciones, sin viviendas adecuadas, sin energía eléctrica, sin servicios de salud, sin sistemas integrales de educación que permitan la enseñanza básica y la educación técnica agropecuaria, en las ciudades se advierte no sólo un avance relativo de infraestructura, sino también el enriquecimiento de minorías sociales que disponen del confort y de las comodidades materiales propias de un país altamente desarrollado. Las posibilidades de cambio revolucionario en el agro fueron cortadas por la sucesión de regímenes autoritarios a partir de 1964. Políticamente se neutralizó a las masas agrarias con el pacto militar campesino, lo que eliminó el principal escollo para la implantación de un modelo de política agropecuaria destinado a beneficiar a la burguesía intermediaria de las ciudades, con los frutos y el esfuerzo de los campesinos.
Frente a estos problemas de la política agropecuaria del país y a la situación en la que se hallan las masas campesinas, el Gobierno constitucional ejecutaría medidas destinadas a superar las deficiencias y conducir el proceso de la producción agraria a una fase cualitativamente superior, que incorpore efectivamente al campesino a la vida nacional y lo convierta en un agente decisivo del desarrollo.
Por otra parte, se han adoptado estrategias que tienden a llegar a objetivos concretos: alcanzar una mejor organización de la producción agropecuaria; tender al desarrollo armónico y equilibrado entre las diferentes regiones del país; incrementar el autoabastecimiento en alimentos y materias primas y sustituir en forma selectiva y progresiva las importaciones; incrementar el nivel de ingresos y el nivel de vida de la población rural; y reducir la subocupación rural utilizando mejor y más racionalmente las tierras, el agua y, en general, los recursos naturales de que dispone el país.
No obstante las limitaciones señaladas, el Gobierno constitucional ha continuado con esa línea de acción reivindicadora de las clases menos favorecidas y ha participado activamente en los eventos mundiales y regionales auspiciados y apoyados por la FAO y otras Agencias del Sistema de las Naciones Unidas.
Fue Bolivia el país qué propuso, en ocasión de la celebración del Comité Preparatorio para la Conferencia Mundial sobre Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural, celebrado en la sede de la FAO en 1979, la creación dé un Centro Regional de Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural y, consecuente con esta propuesta, ha participado en todas las reuniones tendientes a la creación del mencionado Centro.
Fuimos sede de la consulta Regional de Expertos sobre indicadores socioeconómicos para el seguimiento y la evaluación de la reforma agraria y el desarrollo rural en América Latina. En esta consulta, y luego de un extenso examen y análisis de los estudios de casos preparados para tal proposito, se llegó a conclusiones y sugerencias importantes para poder cuantificar y medir el impacto a la aplicación de las políticas orientadas a la erradicación de la pobreza.
Mi país en conformidad con esta trayectoria histórica en reforma agraria y desarrollo rural, desea apoyar al Director General de la FAO en todos los esfuerzos y asistencia que pueda brindar a los países en la aplicación del Programa de Acción aprobado en la Conferencia Mundial antes referida.
También deseamos en esta oportunidad, expresar nuestra satisfacción y felicitar al Director General por el documento C 83/23, que contiene un amplio análisis de los progresos realizados en materia de reforma agraria y desarrollo rural a nivel mundial.
Finalmente, deseo manifestar que Bolivia tiene la mejor disposición de apoyar la Resolución sobre el Seguimiento de los Progresos realizados en la aplicación del Programa de Acción de la Conferencia Mundial sobre Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural.
TESEMA NEGASH (Ethiopia): My delegation finds document C 83/23 very informative and well prepared. However I would like to note that some of the indicators used for monitoring the progress of countries' alleviation of rural poverty are difficult to estimate with the kind of data one gets now in the developing countries.
With this note, my delegation fully endorses the policy proposals and affirms my country's preparedness to follow them, as they are consistent with our current rural development policy. Ethiopia promulgated a proclamation to provide for the nationalization of rural land in 1975. This proclamation enabled each peasant to have access to land resources. The land reform paved the way for unprecedented participation by the rural masses in the process of rural development and administration.
Today in Ethiopia nearly all peasants are organized into peasant associations and services cooperatives. Some are also organized into producer cooperatives.
There are currently about 19 500 peasant associations with a membership of six million farmers. We have over 3 600 service cooperatives in which almost all peasant associations are members. These service cooperatives provide to their members marketing services of farm inputs, farm produce and consumer goods. In addition to this there are over 1 000 producer cooperatives.
These production systems have considerably increased farmers' access to such services as extension inputs, credit and training. But, there remains a lot to be done in order to obtain a meaningful increase in per capita food production and in providing income which may ensure better quality of life for the rural mass. Such problems as poor infrastructure, out-dated agricultural practices and dependence on the hightly erratic rainfall, have to be significantly redressed.
Ethiopia has been one of the most successful countries in eradicating illiteracy. Some seven years ago, the illiteracy rate was as high as 95 percent. In 1979, a National Literacy Campaign was launched all over the country. Since then nine campaigns were conducted. Through these campaigns the illiteracy rate has now been reduced to 54 percent, and will continue to reduce until all the adult citizens of the country are literate.
The campaign is not only emphasizing illiteracy, but functional literacy is a major component. the rural sector the literacy drive is supported by field training, short-term farmers training in peasant enters scattered throughout the country.
Women in Ethiopia constitute over 50 percent of the working force in the rural sector. In recognition of this fact the Land Reform Bill of 1975 entitled women to become full members of the peasant associations and their cooperatives. As a result, women members in these peasant organizations are ever increasing, and they are being fully associated and assimilated in the extension system.
In addition to this, and in order to enable women to participate in the country's political, social, cultural and administrative mechanisms, they are organized in women's associations with their own organisational structure, starting from the grass roots to the national level. Through these organizations, women today take an active participation in rural development, such as afforestatíon, water development, literacy campaign and health programmes, and child care.
Ethiopia has made clear in its development strategy, that agriculture is, and will remain, the leading sector. Hence it has allocated, and will allocate a great share of its financial, human, and material resources to the development of agriculture.
In the international economic relations, as it is clear to most of the distinguished delegates, Ethiopia is a primary commodity exporting country. As most, if not all, primary commodity exporting countries, Ethiopia is suffering from unfavourable terms in international trade. My delegation would like also to note that Ethiopia, although in the list of the LCD, receives the lowest per capita international aid.
Ethiopia has been successful in making land, and land-based resources accessible to all rural people. It has been successful in organizing farmers, women and youths and has also been successful in trying to eradicate illiteracy. Therefore, a conducive development climate is created, but due to the country's extremely limited investment resources, lack of appropriate technology, persistent drought, man-made and other natural calamities, we have not been able to achieve or alleviate the rural poverty. But, I entertain no doubt that with the resolute determination of our Government for economic development and with the increased external development assistance, Ethiopia will make a definite break-through in overcoming rural poverty.
C. SANCHEZ CUESTA (España): Mi delegación desea hacer un reconocimiento a la labor de la Secretaría por este documento, ya que en el actual estado de los datos no es fácil hacer una evaluación sobre los programas derivados del CMRADR. Por eso, apreciamos, más aún, el informe que nos ofrece.
En cuanto a los programas, consideramos que a través del tiempo se obtendrán mejores resultados, ya que gran parte de los mismos son programas educativos enfocados a una mejor producción y reparto más equitativo.
Esta delegación quiere referirse a algunos de estos programas para cuya realización son importantes las políticas nacionales . El aumento de la participación de la población, fomentando el cooperativismo y cualquier clase de asociacionismo, incluso de tipo no formal. Insistiendo en Organizaciones no gubernamentales, de modo que se consiga la mayor descentralización.
El fomento de programas de capacitación agraria dirigidos a la mujer y la participación de mujeres en los servicios de extensión y capacitación. Ha sido un gran paso reconocer la función, importante, que desempeñan las mujeres en la producción y comercialización agraria.
La importancia de la extensión y capacitación agrarias dirigida a los más pobres, instrumentando la participación de la población en estos servicios, ligados al mismo tiempo con la investigación agraria.
La creciente atención a las actividades no agrarias en el medio rural como aportación de nuevos recursos a las familias y los más desfavorecidos.
En cualquiera de estos programas son fundamentales el seguimiento y la evaluación continua en los que FAO puede y debe ayudar con instrumentos científicos y técnicos.
Finalmente nuestra delegación se une a la felicitación que otras delegaciones ya han hecho, a los países que han dado pasos en la dirección señalada por la CMRADR y desea ver reforzada la acción de la FAO en facilitar el conocimiento de estas experiencias a los campesinos y gobiernos de todos los países para el mejor éxito de estos programas de la FAO.
KYO-EUN KIM (Korea, Republic of): First of all I would like to congratulate the FAO Secretariat for its excellent work done in the progress report on the WCARRD Programme of Action. My thanks also go to Dr Islam for his comprehensive and excellent introduction of the subject matter.
According to the report, several countries have begun to change their national development plans towards equity and participation since 1979, the year in which the WCARRD was held. My Government really welcomes the expanded self-reliant development efforts of developing countries. However, it is not encouraging to note that such changes, in particular in setting time-bound quantifiable targets, and identification of intended beneficiary groups of the rural poor, have been partial, slow and also in many countries are still evolving.
In this connection, Mr Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to brief the Commission on our priorities and strategies which have been taken in the process of agricultural and rural development in Korea. Agricultural and rural sectors in Korea have been developed, going through four stages during the last three decades.
In the beginning of the 1950s, the land reform had been completed, and all farmers were able to have equal access to land, based on the principle "the tiller should have the land". On this basis, the multi-purpose agricultural cooperatives and offices of rural development, were established in the beginning of the 1960s. The rapid development of the multi-purpose agricultural cooperatives and ORD in Korea have provided all the farmers with equal access to agricultural credit, farm input supplies, agricultural marketing, farm extension services and new farm technology. At the same time, the cooperatives have also promoted the rural people's participation in the agricultural and rural development process.
On the basis of the equity and participation above-mentioned, the integrated rural development programme, namely, Saemaul Undong, has been implemented, placing a special emphasis on the improvement of rural living environment at the initial stage since the early 1970s.
In addition to this, farm price policies were adopted. These two policies have given the farmers both the positive incentive to increase agricultural production and also a strong will to live better with their own self-reliant efforts.
In the beginning of the 1980s,my Government also has adopted the three new policies. The first: encouragement of specialized diversification of farming system, in order to respond to the rapidly changing socio-economic farming condition of the country. The second: the fostering of young farmers. The basic objectives of the programme is to check the continued excess outflow of the rural youth from agricultural sector, and at the same time, to bring them up as a core future farmers group by providing the better farming environment and the financial support. For this purpose, a special support fund was established in 1980.
Thirdly, it is also inevitable for me to mention here, the establishment of farmer's leader's training centre. The centre is now operating under the auspices of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation from this year. Our experiences, I hope, would be helpful to member countries and I here again would like to say that my Government is ready and willing to share our experiences with member countries within the framework of TCDC and ECDC. In this respect, my Government welcomes and supports FAO in its continued efforts for assisting countries in implementing the programme of action and in actions required for the exchange of experiences of the developing countries among developing countries. And also, my Government is willing to support the Conference to adopt the Resolution concerned in the agenda.
J.R. LOPEZ-PORTILLO ROMANO (Mexico): Nuestra delegación felicita efusivamente al Director General y a la Secretaría de la FAO por el magnífico documento presentado y también al Dr. Islam por su brillante y equilibrada presentación, ya que somos conscientes de que éste es un tema complejo y controvertido.
Es evidente que en materia de Reforma Agraria y desarrollo rural y los resultados del Programa de la CMRADR la voluntad política de los gobiernos es indispensable para enfrentar las estructuras de poder en el campo, tan arraigadas, y apoyar la organización de los campesinos para lograr un adecuado desarrollo rural.
Sabemos que es difícil, pero éste es un aspecto donde la responsabilidad de cada gobierno adquiere dimensiones de la máxima trascendencia, porque estamos convencidos de que es condición para todo esfuerzo efectivo en materia de seguridad alimentaria.
Debemos superar estructuras de explotación sobre estructuras de explotación. De otra manera, toda aspiración al desarrollo rural con justicia social, seguirá siendo un sueño.
Desde su Revolución de 1910, México ha inspirado y hecho importantes esfuerzos en materia de reforma agraria y desarrollo rural integral. El proceso no ha culminado, es dinámico y tenemos que responder a circunstancias nuevas, a demandas presentes y a fenómenos que muchas veces revierten u obstaculizan avances deseables.
Por eso, en materia de desarrollo rural integral, el esfuerzo de planificación democrática realizado actualmente en México plantea que el objetivo fundamental debe seguir siendo el mejoramiento constante de los niveles de bienestar de la población rural, con base en su participación organizada y la plena utilización de sus recursos naturales y económicos,con criterios sociales de eficiencia productiva, permanencia y equidad, fortaleciendo su integración con el resto de la sociedad.
De este objetivo, señor Presidente, se desprende como propósitos específicos, el fomentar la participación e incorporación al desarrollo nacional de la población rural y en especial de la mujer, a través del fortalecimiento de su organización y su capacitación, mejorar los niveles de alimentación, vivienda, salud, educación y, en general de vida de la población rural, dando preferencia a los más desprotegidos; aumentar la generación de empleos permanentes y mejorar la distribución de ingresos; ampliar y fortalecer la producción de alimentos básicos para el consumo popular, prioritariamente en las zonas de temporal; propiciar el establecimiento de términos de intercambio más
justos entre el sector agropecuario y los sectores industrial y de servicios; articular eficientemente las actividades agrícolas, pecuarias y forestales entre sí y con el sector industrial, a través de la agroindustria, y con las actividades comerciales y de servicios; aprovechar racionalmente el potencial de desarrollo del medio rural; y mejorar la balanza comercial sustituyendo importaciones y promoviendo las exportaciones de los productos agropecuarios, forestales, pesqueros, agroindustriales y artesanales.
En materia de Reforma Agraria Integral buscamos repartir toda la tierra legalmente afectable; otorgar seguridad jurídica a las diversas formas de tenencia de la tierra en áreas rurales y regularizar los asentamientos humanos en ejidos y comunidades; consolidar la estructura interna de los grupos campesinos, superando mediante la organización agraria el problema del minifundio y promoviendo el aprovechamiento integral de los recursos naturales; generar aumentos en el empleo productivo que contribuyan a detener los movimientos migratorios; hacer esfuerzo en los ingresos de los jornaleros y núcleos agrarios y una auténtica democracia participativa en la toma de decisiones. Somos conscientes de que esto sin duda influirá también en el atemperamento del crecimiento demográfico y por tanto de su adecuada distribución geográfica.
En lo general, señor Presidente, es indudable que lo verdaderamente importante es el reparto de la riqueza. En ello y para ello, el reparto efectivo, no solo formal de la tierra, tiene un lugar primordial. Sin embargo, es indispensable reconocer en la organización de los productores la mejor vía para mejorar sus condiciones de vida. Debemos buscar integrar unidades de producción y enlazarlas a la cadena alimentaria. En el reparto del excedente economico, la capacidad de negociación de los sectores rurales debe ser y se debe ver fortalecida a través de sus organizaciones.
Estamos también conscientes de que la actual crisis internacional y la recesión económica con todas sus variables, que afecta a la balanza de pagos, a las necesidades de divisas, etc., también afecta íntegramente a la condición de nuestros conciudadanos y por tanto afecta igualmente al progreso y desarrollo en materia de desarrollo rural y de reforma agraria. Por tanto esto forma parte de un todo, y si actuamos en un lado, debemos igualmente saber la importancia de actuar en los otros.
Los actuales patrones de modernización del sector rural han tendido a marginar a grupos numerosos de su población. Una revisión de estos patrones y la formulación de un modelo de modernización participativa para el medio rural es necesario para incorporar plenamente a los grupos de subsistencia y marginados de los países en desarrollo.
En esta perspectiva, la incorporación tecnológica y la capacitación deberán responder y adecuarse a las limitaciones de factores productivos del medio rural, característica de los países en desarrollo y por tanto darle el máximo apoyo al desarrollo de la agricultura de temporal.
Por su parte, el Estado deberá correr el riesgo de la incorporación de cambios tecnológicos y organizativos con los productores, como la única vía para integrarlos plenamente al desarrollo rural.
Fórmulas para compartir el riesgo con los campesinos han sido probadas eficazmente en México.
En asimismo necesario avanzar en los aspectos técnicos del desarrollo rural y la reforma agraria. En ese sentido, México tiene una larga y amplia experiencia en la materia. En la formulación del plan nacional de desarrollo de 1983/88 se destaca prioritariamente el papel del desarrollo rural integral y de la reforma agraria como pivote del desarrollo económico de México.
Consecuentemente se han realizado las reformas constitucionales para elevar a rango constitucional en nuestro país el desarrollo rural integral dentro de nuestro artículo 27 de la Constitución y también se procedió a realizar las reformas administrativas correspondientes.
En el aspecto técnico y en colaboración con la FAO, México ha revisado v formulado sus indicadores socioeconómicos para diagnosticar adecuadamente nuestra realidad rural y agraria como prerrequisito para la formulación de política eficaces en la materia.
Apoyamos el papel de liderazgo de la FAO en el seguimiento y promoción de los objetivos del Programa de Acción de la Conferencia Mundial de Reforma Agraria y Desarrollo Rural.
Finalmente, consideramos que FAO debería seguir mejorando su información de los indicadores y solicitar a todos los países organicen una base estadística más confiable y oportuna que permita conocer con mejor fidelidad los progresos del programa de acción y sus respectivas consecuencias.
Por último y para concluir, Señor Presidente, queremos dejar constancia en las actas de esta Comisión del interés de nuestro país por la Resolución que presentamos sobre el seguimiento de los progresos realizados en la aplicación del Programa de Acción de la Conferencia Mundial y nos congratulamos de que dicho proyecto de Resolución haya sido revisado y mejorado por el Comité de Resoluciones y el grupo de contacto creado al efecto.
Esperamos que la Conferencia adopte dicha Resolución.
S.J. KAO (Lesotho): Mr Chairman, document C 83/23 is a very important landmark in the global struggle against hunger and poverty. For that reason my delegation supports the follow-up action proposed on page XIII of the report. This report is a revelation on the state of agrarian reform and rural development in the world. The state of rural poverty has been quantified adequately to justify special attention by the UN system. It is for this reason that my delegation views IFAD and its work with admiration and as a credit to the international community and supports the call for replenishment of its resources. This Fund has been established to address itself to the poorest of the poor who usually do not - I emphasize do not - qualify for assistance by other conventional organizations by virtue of their poverty.
Section 6 of Chapter II of the report dealing with monitoring and evaluation of agrarian reform and rural development demands the special attention of this Conference. In particular, my delegation wishes to refer to refinement of concepts and development of uniform or comparable indicators of progress. Such indicators should be simple in order to be understandable to both extension agents and the rural people themselves. Education and training of both officers and rural people is the foundation of people's participation. There is very little to be achieved if the people cannot take their own developments and liberation from hunger and poverty into their own hands. They can only do so if they have received education and training that makes them responsive to WCARRD principles. For example, there is a repeated call, which Lesotho is happy to have responded to, for support for women's programmes. Unless women are educated and trained to appreciate the measures that are proposed to ease their burden, they will not be committed to those action programmes and such programmes would remain the property of the extension agents. As such, those programmes are doomed to failure once that external initiative stops. This should not be allowed to happen as it is counter development. Similar examples can be quoted, for example from other fields such as cooperatives. Resources allocated to education and training can never be enough, nor be misplaced: the more the better.
Lastly, my delegation wishes to register its appreciation for the assistance in the form of the WCARRD follow-up mission which came to Lesotho in December 1982. This multi-agency (mission was led by FAO and with it the Government had the opportunity to assess progress on the implementation of the principles of WCARRD.
R. SENTÜRK (Turkey): Mr Chairman and Distinguished Delegates, we have very much appreciated the analysis made by FAO and presented to us in a very lucid manner by Professor Islam on the WCARRD follow-up activities since the Conference held in 1979. Within this context I would like to appraise you briefly of Turkey's related experience.
There are several key problems and constraints encountered in the implementation of rural development programmes in Turkey. These stem from the fact that a large proportion of the population of the country lives in rural areas, in small and fragmented farms spread over a large number of villages, and the number of organizations serving the rural population in general, and farming societies in particular, are many.
Objectives and targets set for rural development within the fourth five-year development plan period which ends at the end of this year will not be achieved. This is mainly due to the major socio-economic difficulties Turkey had to face in the late 1970s. A recovery has been witnessed in the economy since 1980, especially in the international trade component. About 100 percent increase was realized in exports during the 1982-83 period. The majority of this increase came from the exports of industrial products.
A number of important activities have been accomplished, however, by both the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the Ministry of Village Affairs, in the fields of land and water resources development, rural infrastructure, building, with due attention to the participation of the beneficiaries, the integration of women, farmer's access to agricultural inputs, credit, market facilities and other related services like education, training and extension.
Some hundred agreements and/or protocols have been signed with developed and developing countries for economic, technical, commercial, financial and sectoral cooperation, and Turkey has paid considerable attention to developing close relations and cooperation with other developing countries.
With readjusted formalities and regulations for foreign investments, positive results have been achieved in attracting foreign capital to Turkey since 1980, mainly in the field of agro-industries. Turkey has been receiving loans and credits from the World Bank for financing development projects within various sectors since the 1950s. The loans received from the World Batik have always played important roles in the implementation of agricultural and rural infrastructural development programmes, mostly integrated in nature.
United Nations organizations such as FAO, UNDP and IFAD are also assisting and supporting the identification and implementation of important projects leading to developments in the rural sector.
Believing that close monitoring of the effectiveness of strategies, policies and programmes launched in support of rural development places a central and crucial role in achieving the set objectives, Turkey is now refining its system for monitoring and evaluating the progress and impact of the implementation of related programmes by adopting most modern techniques and management tools.
Agriculture is considered to be the backbone of the economy and one of the most important motivating powers of socio-economic development in Turkey. In spite of the fact that considerable efforts have been made since the foundation of the Republic early in the 1920s, the potential of natural resources, especially in the field of the agricultrual sector, has not been fully developed. We therefore believe that, with the supporting policies and programmes, this potential could be realized in a reasonably short time and provide a solid base and stability in the overall socioeconomic development of our country. In this endeavour we appreciate, and are ready to cooperate with, the assistance of FAO and other interested countries.
A. SAISSI (Maroc): Je voudrais tout d'abord joindre ma voix à celle des délégués qui m'ont précédé et remercier le Secrétariat de l'organisation pour l'effort louable qu'il a déployé en présentant une note claire faisant le point sur les programmes d'action dans le domaine de la réforme agraire et du développement de l'agriculture. Ce rapport aurait toutefois gagné en intérêt s'il avait concerné la majorité des pays auxquels il s'adresse.
Je profite également de l'occasion pour marquer notre approbation et notre appui aux résolutions contenues dans la note 24.
Partant des recommandations de la Conférence mondiale de la réforme agraire et du développement rural tenue à Rome en 1979, le Royaume du Maroc a confirmé sa politique en matière d'aménagement des structures agraires de l'espace rural productif et d'amélioration des conditions de vie des ruraux. Il a accordé un intérêt particulier au secteur de la Réforme agraire en place et aux projets de développement intégré en zones bours, c'est-à-dire non irriguées.
Le plan de développement économique et social 1981-85 traduit clairement cette volonté politique. Ce plan a retenu un certain nombre de principes d'ordre réglementaire ainsi que des mesures d'encouragement et de crédit en vue de garantir un meilleur aménagement des structures d'exploitation. Des programmes d'amélioration de l'environnement socio-économique du secteur de la Réforme agraire sont à un stade de réalisation satisfaisant.
De même, les aspects touchant à la participation populaire, la décentralisation des structures de gestion, l'intégration de la femme dans l'effort de développement rural, l'amélioration des circuits d'approvisionnement et de commercialisation ont été l'objet d'une attention toute particulière et ont bénéficié d'un effort financier et d'encadrement très important.
Mais il faut souligner :
Primo, que la mise en application des mesures adoptées nécessite du temps et de la patience du fait que l'on vise à changer des mentalités et à modifier des traditions séculaires. Cela implique de la prudence, des études sociologiques approfondies et demande des efforts intenses d'encadrement et de vulgarisation.
Deuxièmement, que les programmes tracés nécessitent des moyens humains et surtout financiers importants difficiles à mobiliser compte tenu de la conjoncture économique que connaissent la plupart des pays en voie de développement.
C'est pourquoi nous estimons que l'aide extérieure devrait pouvoir jouer un rôle non négligeable dans ce domaine qui constitue un élément de base pour l'essor économique et social du monde rural.
Enfin, je me félicite que certains délégués de pays industrialisés aient mis également l'accent sur cet aspect de la gestion et se soient déclarés favorables à l'engagement d'aide bilatérale pour la réalisation de projets spécifiques.
A.R. PIRES (Cap-Vert) : Je voudrais d'abord commencer par féliciter le Secrétariat et
appuyer l'important rapport sur la situation du Programme d'action de la CMRADR - document C 83/23.
Ensuite, nous voulons appuyer toutes les actions qui ont été entreprises par la FAO dans le cadre des résolutions et recommandations faites par la Conférence de la réforme agraire et du dévelop pement rural.
Nous souhaitons que ces recommandations soient discutées dans toutes les réunions de la FAO qui traitent du développement rural et de la réforme agraire.
Nous voulons affirmer l'importance et le rôle des femmes à tous les niveaux, tels qu'ils ont été formulés et recommandés par la Conférence mondiale.
Nous pensons qu'il faut favoriser les échanges de coopération technique entre les pays en voie de développement, notamment la coopération régionale et sous-régionale.
Dans ce contexte, nous espérons que le Centre pour le développement rural intégré en Afrique,
le CIRDAFRICA, jouera le rôle de promoteur dans la coopération interafricaine dans les secteurs
agricoles.Nous félicitons la FAO d'avoir organisé récemment deux importants séminaires qui ont eu lieu en Tanzanie au siège du CIRDAFRICA en septembre et octobre derniers.
Pour terminer, nous voulons exprimer nos remerciements à la FAO pour l'aide fournie au Cap-Vert, lui permettant de concrétiser, au niveau national, certaines actions préconisées par la CMRADR dans le cadre du Programme de la coopération technique et du Fonds de dépôt de la Norvège.
D. CASTELLANOS (República Dominicana): La República Dominicana tiene una extensión total de 48 442 km2: según los datos del último censo nacional de población y vivienda de 1981, la población del país es de 5,8 millones de habitantes con una densidad de 117 personas por km2: La población urbana representa el 52 por ciento del total, y el restante 48 por ciento vive en las zonas rurales.
El país dispone de una superficie apta para la producción agropecuaria de 2,7 millones de hectáreas; de dicha superficie, 1,2 millones de hectáreas tiene vocación para la ganadería; 1,0 para la agricultural; 0,3 para la foresta; y 0,2 para otros usos. La densidad poblacional en base a las tierras agrícolas es de 2,4 habitantes por km2.
Las características socioeconómicas de nuestro país son similares a las de la mayoría de los países en vías de desarrollo, tanto en lo que respecta a la estructura de su aparato productivo, como a las condiciones y dinámicas de sus relaciones con el exterior.
El sector agropecuario ocupa un lugar de primer orden dentro de la economía, ya que aporta el 16,3 por ciento del producto bruto'interno, y genera el 25 por ciento de los empleos de todo el país. Los principales productos agrícolas de exportación son el azúcar de caña, café, cacao y tabaco; para el consumo interno, se produce arroz, habichuelas, plátanos, maíz, yuca, batata, carne y leche, entre otros.
Respecto a las relaciones con el exterior, debemos destacar los problemas derivados de los términos desiguales de intercambio, que se reflejan en crecientes déficits de la balanza de pagos, ya que nuestras exportaciones están constituidas por bienen primarios de origen agrícola y minero, cuyos precios descienden continuamente en el mercado mundial, mientras que por otro lado, el país importa principalmente bienes industriales y otros insumos, cuyos precios se elevan constantemente.
El consumo de alimentos de la población dominicana ha ido en aumento en términos absolutos, durante los últimos años; y ese aumento ha tenido que ser satisfecho con importaciones, como sucede con el caso del maíz y la soya, los cuales son fundamentalmente para la producción avícola y porcina, el primero, y para la producción de grasas, el segundo. Para el año 1981, el valor de los productos importados tales como el arroz, maíz, trigo, leche en polvo y otros, alcanzó la cifra de 124,3 millones de dólares, y de ésos, sólo el arroz, el maíz y las grasas vegetales constituyeron el 70 por ciento de las importaciones para un valor total de 97 millones de dólares.
Lo anterior sirve como marco de referencia para determinar el esfuerzo cuantitativo que hay que realizar en la oferta agropecuaria, para mantener los actuales niveles alimenticios, y más aún, elevar esos niveles para lo cual será fundamental, además de aumentar la producción y productividad, mejorar los ingresos de las clases más necesitadas.
Como lo señalara el señor Secretario de Estado de Agricultura de nuestro país, en la Plenaria de esta Conferencia, dentro de esa situación, la República Dominicana está empeñada en lograr la seguridad alimentaria a través del autoabastecimiento, el manejo adecuado de nuestros recursos naturales, el control de la tecnología agropecuaria y el acceso de los productores a los servicios de apoyo.
La estrategia de desarrollo agropecuario que ejecuta el Gobierno de la República Dominicana, asigna alta prioridad a las actividades encaminadas a acelerar el proceso de reforma agraria, mediante la intensificación de las acciones dirigidas a captar, habilitar y distribuir nuevas áreas, así como a la consolidación de los antiguos y nuevos asentamientos para impulsar el desarrollo de las actividades productivas; también crear nuevas fuentes de empleo, aumentar la productividad agropecuaria y elevar los ingresos de las familias beneficiadas.
- 282. -
El Programa de Reforma Agraria ha concentrado sus esfuerzos en aspectos prioritarios que están relacionados directamente con las áreas de trabajo que se detallan a continuación:
Realización de nuevos asentamientos en las áreas captadas, asegurando su incorporación a la producción agropecuaria.
Consolidación de los viejos y nuevos asentamientos, y saneamiento y rehabilitación de las antiguas colonias agrícolas.
Promoción de la organización campesina, a través de la capacitación, que permita la participación efectiva de los beneficiarios en la gestión de los asentamientos.
Y ampliación de la oferta de servicios de apoyo a la producción y creación de facilidades de acceso a los mismos.
Queremos destacar, entre estos aspectos, los programas y proyectos dirigidos a consolidar los asentamientos, mediante la construcción y habilitación de infraestructuras productivas, y la dotación oportuna de servicios sociales y de apoyo a la producción agropecuaria, que se ejecutan en la actualidad, y que han ido transformando progresivamente la fisonomía de las unidades productivas involucradas en los mismos.
Los efectos de la política agropecuaria implementada a partir del mes de agosto de 1982, han determinado una mejoría en el comportamiento de algunas variables fundamentales de la economía dominicana. Citaremos entre estas, el aumento de la producción y de las exportaciones; la disminución de las importaciones de alimentos, principalmente del arroz, renglón básico en la alimentación de la población; y una mejor distribución de los ingresos generados en la agricultura, lo que permite visualizar el logro de los objetivos estratégicos planteados, en términos de la elevación de los niveles nutricionales y de ocupación, así como de la ampliación de los mercados internos y externos que permitirán, en sentido general, dotar al país de una nueva dinámica en su economía y mejorar las condiciones de vida de la población dominicana.
La República Dominicana se desenvuelve hoy en condiciones económicas precarias, lo que limita en gran medida la ejecución de diversos programas y proyectos de desarrollo en las zonas rurales.
En la actualidad una alta proporción de los proyectos de consolidación de los asentamientos se ejecutan mediante la cooperación técnica y financiera de instituciones internacionales como el PNUD, FIDA, FAO, IICA y CEE, así como de Agencias de Gobiernos amigos como USAID, SIDA, CIDA, GTZ, Fundación Frederich Ebert y los Gobiernos de Israel e Italia.
Debemos destacar en el caso de la FAO, su participación activa en diversos programas agropecuarios en nuestro país, y particularmente en dos proyectos dirigidos, uno, a la capacitación de las familias asentadas y, otro, a la reducción de pérdida postcosecha en el cultivo de arroz de los asentamientos de la reforma agraria, así como su decisiva participación en el diagnóstico socioeconómico de los asentamientos, finalizado en la primera mitad del presente año.
Finalmente, señor Presidente, queremos reafirmar el apoyo de nuestra delegación al Programa y al Presupuesto de la FAO para el próximo año, en los cuales se asigna prioridad a la solución de los problemas de insuficiencia alimentaria y desarrollo de la zona rural, de los países en vías de desarrollo.
En nuestro país estamos preocupados por la producción de alimentos, porque con ellos resolveremos grandes problemas sociales que tenemos hoy en día. Trabajamos muy fuerte en los cultivos en que hoy no somos autosuficientes, logrado esto lo haremos con productos para la exportación y la agroindustria. Con esta meta, además de la solución de los problemas sociales, fortaleceremos nuestra democracia política, democracia estable que hoy exhibe la República Dominicana.
E.T. VALENZUELA (Observer for the Asian Non-Governmental Organization Coalition for Agrarian Reform and Rural Development - ANGOC): The Asian Non-Governmental Coalition is a regional non-governmental institution whose main objective is to identify and bring together NGO networks who agree to use the WCARRD Declaration of Principle and Programme of Action as a framework for rural development. The Asian NGO Coalition facts as a clearing house for; information relating to NGOs in agrarian reform and rural development, and serves as a focal point for NGO involvement in WCARRD activities in the Asian Region.
In his presentation yesterday morning, Professor Nurul Islam made reference to the increasing recognition of people's participation since WCARRD. In the Asian region three government consultations in the WCARRD follow-up and the last two FAO Regional Conferences stressed the importance of people's participation and the complementary role that NGOs and people's organizations can play in WCARRD follow-up. It was stressed that dialogue be initiated at country level between national institutions, agencies and NGOs working within the framework of WCARRD. The third government consultation on Follow-up to WCARRD recommended that governments and NGOs undertake studies on participatory monitoring and evaluation.
This well prepared Secretariat document C 83/23 mentions the role of the regional centres for rural development. In his intervention yesterday morning Mr Aziz-ul Haq, Director of CIRDAP, mentioned people's participation as one area of CIRDAP' s involvement. Allow me, Mr Chairman, to take this opportunity to draw the attention of the Commission to the report of the joint CIRDAP/ANGOC programme entitled Selected Asian Experiences on People's Participation in the follow-up to WCARRD, which was circulated yesterday. This overview report demonstrates how governments and NGOs work together in WCARRD follow-up. With FAO's guidance and assistance this joint CIRDAP/ANGOC programme provided an opportunity to bring together the CIRDAP link institution and the NGOs associated with ANGOC at the country level with advisory support from the government focal point on WCARRD follow-up and the FAO representative in six South and South-east Asian countries.
The overall strategy to initiate the dialogue was to stimulate and promote NGO involvement in a field survey, using data gatherers from either the NGO or the village to be surveyed. A questionnaire was prepared following the core socio-economic indicators developed by FAO for the monitoring and evaluation of agrarian reform and rural development. Once the data had been gathered at village level, a village consultation meeting was organized to verify the findings and trends, as well as to discuss the needs and priorities at village level. Each village survey report and village consultation meeting was discussed at the national workshop, to share the findings and experiences gained, as well as to discuss follow-up plans.
An Asian Regional Workshop was held in Bangkok in October 1983 which brought together the governments and NGO focal points to review the joint programme, to exchange experiences, and discuss the key issues, as well as the mechanisms for continuing government and NGO relationships at country level, and possible areas for further CIRDAP/ANGOC collaboration.
Before I end, I would like to take this opportunity to thank FAO, CIRDAP and the member countries who participated in this joint CIRDAP/ANGOC programme. It is hoped that the report circulated to you illustrates how people's participation can be realized through the promotion and involvement of
NGOs in WCARRD follow-up.
B. WILLIAMS (Observer for International Federation for Home Economics): The International Federation for Home Economics is very heartened by the many statements to this Commission supporting the integration of women in rural development within the context of the follow-up of WCARRD. The rural woman is a very remarkable person in her capacity for hard work, and her strength under poverty and difficult living conditions. If she is made a true partner in rural development, the battle is well on its way to being won. The most valuable resource in most countries and the largest corps of fieldworkers for bringing education, training and services to rural women is the women's extension service.
For some years my Federation has supported the concept that a portion of the training of home economics extension fieldworkers should be in agriculture so that they can assist rural women engaged in food production. But, as we all know, improving food systems and decreasing malnutrition is much, much more than increased food production. Thus home economy extension agents also work with rural women on improved methods of food storage to lower post-harvest losses, food preservation, to provide families with a year-round food supply, proper food preparation to preserve nutrients, and sanitation and feeding practices to prevent infant disease and malnutrition and consequent high infant mortality.
Because we believe that the family unit is the very core and substance of the community, we recommend that the training of all extension workers include curriculum content from both agriculture and home economics so that all extension workers, including male extension agents, can better deal with the family as a whole. Thus, rural women will receive greater attention as food producers and their men will gain training for a more equal family role by receiving information on nutrition, consumer education, child care, management of family resources and family planning.
Considering the importance of competent, well trained female extension staffs in serving rural women, we urgently request that governments, aid donor agencies and FAO consider devoting additional resources to first, a revision of curricula of institutions training home economics extension workers to ensure that these workers are capable of responding to the many needs of rural women. You know, by that we are talking, as the representative of Lesotho mentioned earlier, of training the village level workers in a participatory way of working with village women, learning how to help them identify their own problems and build on their own strenghts, in working out solutions. This is the only way that real change takes place. The women might decide that the most important thing for them is to organize for income generation projects. Or they might decide that they need a well in the community, or that they would like some appropriate technology assistance to help them build an oven which consumes less fuel, or a solar dryer for their foods.
The home economics extension agent at the field level cannot be competent in all these areas, but at least she should know where to turn for assistance. We also request additional resources.
Secondly, we request frequent in-service training opportunities for the tens of thousands of field-workers to continually upgrade their skills in working with rural women. Finally, we request higher education, fellowship opportunities and equitable pay for home economists at the supervisory level, to put them at the same level of education and remuneration as their male colleagues in agricultural extension. This is the only way to attract top talent to a very difficult position.
"Women in development", "the integration of women in rural development", these are phrases on everyone's tongues these days. But the litmus test of conviction on this issue is whether the amount of resources - budgetary and well trained man and woman power - allotted to bringing services to rural women is proportionate to the share rural women carry in food-related family and community activities.
H. ZANNETIS (Cyprus): I shall confine my comments to the policy issues related to the implementation of the WCARRD Programme of Action.
Let me stress at the outset that Cyprus supports both the principles and the objectives of the WCARRD Programme of Action. With reference to organizational arrangements for the monitoring process, we agree with the necessity for the collection of reliable data for establishing an adequate monitoring system on a continuing basis. This system is not just necessary in order to assist in the preparation of the monitoring and evaluation report for 1987, but most important, to guide the countries themselves in their development strategy.
In this respect, we wish to emphasize that if such monitoring and evaluation is to be effective, there should be adequate expertise and the proper infrastructure to carry that out. It is my conviction that in most developing countries such expertise and infrastructure is not available, or if it is available, it is not up to the required standard.
I would therefore propose that the FAO take appropriate action for the extension of specialized training to developing countries in the field of monitoring and evaluation, and assist these countries in building up an appropriate infrastructure to carry out monitoring and evaluation on a continuous basis and on sound principles.
This training can be done through regional workshops.
Under Item 2, we agree with the necessity for increased resources to be devoted to agricultural development. It is, of course, up to individual countries to define the proportion of resources of their budgets to be allocated to the different sectors of their economies, and to ensure that the agricultural sector gets its fair proportion.
But it is also necessary for the international financing institutions to secure adequate developement credit for the developing countries. We therefore express the wish that the present decline in available funds in those institutions will not last long.
Furthermore, we would like to call upon donor countries to assist FAO with extra budgetary resources, to assist the organization in its efforts to follow-up the WCARRD Programme of Action.
With reference to Item 3, we believe that domestic policies in developing countries should focus on improving the living conditions in the rural areas. Given the higher employment and educational opportunities, as well as the better social conditions in urban, as compared with the rural areas, people seem to be attracted to those centres, abandoning the rural areas. The consequences of this movement are well known and I will not expand further.
Along these lines, we agree that rural institutions, like cooperatives, credit marketing extension and non-farm activities, should be directed towards the rural poor.
In Item 4, given the present situation in Africa, which is far from satisfactory to anyone, the delegation of Cyprus supports the proposed expansion of expenditure for the rural development of African countries.
Referring to Item 5, we respect the principle that individual countries have the primary responsibility for the implementation of the WCARRD Programme of Action. We also believe that FAO should continue its efforts to assist those countries in implementing the Programme of Action, and it should take any action necessary for the preparation of the next progress report to the 1987 FAO Conference.
Finally, I would like to reaffirm the support of Cyprus for resolution 7/79 on the WCARRD Programme of Action.
M. HERSI BAHAL (Somalia): The task of rural development is crucially important for Somalia where 60 percent of the population still pursue a nomadic life and 20 percent are sedentary. Against this background the Government has made number one priority improving the socio-economic pattern of the rural people. In our 1982/86 Development Plan, the development of rural areas has received utmost priority.
It is a recognised fact unless the economic situation of the rural people is improved it is inevitable to face transmigration. Having this in mind the Somalian Government embarked upon a number of projects aimed at improving the rural occupation of the people. To mention just a few, we have a multi-donor assisted Range Management Project whose aim is to afford protection against drought and to prevent degradation of the natural vegetation through overstocking. The project has introduced grazing reserved systems whereby the land is used for grazing during the dry season and the rest during the rainy season.
Another multi-donor project involves the extension of farm management. The project is aimed at the farming communities in order to raise their farm incomes, through the adoption of better techniques in their farming practices.
In order to resettle the nomadic population which was affected by drought in 1974/75 the Government
undertook a very bold settlement programme aimed at transforming the occupational life of nomadic
people into settled farmers.
This task was not an easy one. However with the strong policy determination of the Government and the support of many friendly governments this programme is proving to be a success.
The task of rural development involves many facets. Without improving the health situation of the rural people it would be very futile to expect a tangible result from any other economic measures undertaken. Sometimes irrigation projects at massive cost, are undertaken while neglecting the health hazards of these projects to the beneficiaries, for example the control of water-borne diseases, such asbilharzia, greatly reduce the productivity of the farming communities.
We are tackling the problem of rural development in an integrated approach, involving the improvement of rural roads, setting up literacy programmes, rural health care and raising the occupational techniques of the people. In view of the complexities of the work involved, and its high value costs, it is imperative that development assistance has to be sought from the developed countries, as well as from all international agencies, in assisting the countries with a high rate of rural population in achieving their rural development goals.
In this connection FAO has a vital role to play, in acting as catalyst in assisting the developing countries to secure funds for the implementation of projects aimed at improving the socio-economic life of the rural people.
D.D. BALLAYAN (Liberia): I am very sorry to take the floor at this late hour. I do not wish to go into all the details that have been expressed by my fellow delegates, who share similar problems. I would just briefly like to touch on one aspect. My delegation would like to associate itself with previous speakers who took the floor before, in congratulating the Secretariat for the excellence of this document which we are now discussing. My delegation wish to underline one aspect which is briefly touched upon in the document. That is, the statistical data aspects of monitoring and evaluation of agrarian reform and rural, development. For any meaningful analysis we need statistics on all relevant phases of agriculture, and we need statistics on a continuous basis. The way my delegation sees the situation is that the provisional guidelines prepared by FAO need to be improved to open the way to a broader understanding of agriculture.
We believe an information system, instead of piecemeal information, needs to be developed. We believe FAO can contribute to the establishment of such an agricultural information system through its technical guidance.
M. FENWICK (United States of America): We have this morning heard a continuous and well-merited paean of praise for the FAO on this very fine and empirically-based report and all of us I am sure are equally happy to be able to say so with full sincerity and full heart.
Our delegation is encouraged by this evidence of progress, and that is what development is all about. I do not even like to use the words "rural population", I am talking about men, women and children and old people, families, living on farms and the farming communities. We lose sight of the humanity, in using these words that get so "shopworn" that they have lost all their poignancy. So, yes, we have seen, I am happy to say, progress for these human beings, for these people trying to live, but we need a great deal more.
Country after country has reported progress and how welcome that is, but there is a great deal more to do. We know that there are men and women, many women, in many of these agricultural occupations and helping them to become active participants in achieving a better life for themselves and for their families is what it is all about. Whether they are going to make a little income on or off the farm, whether it will be a little subsidiary enterprise of some kind that will enable them to see themselves as free and independent, not depending on our government, or their own government, but on their own efforts and the success of those efforts. That is what we have to make possible. We know we can. We have country after country, project after project. We can point to some, I am happy to say, that have been the particular attention of my own country. For example, there was a private organisation, a private cooperative volunteer organisation, an American group, that assisted with the United States Food Aid in the development of oil seed production in India. An idea which was a conspicuous success, and there have been others of that kind where IFAD and others have really brought about a substantial difference in the earning capacity of thousands of people.
There is going to be new technology, very necessary in order to create food production. But, what WCARRD can do with its programme is to take that into account, make plans for those areas where this new technology will be introduced. It seems to me only a matter of common sense, a matter of a little bit of foresight and of a sincere concern for the people that we are talking about. That is what is good about this report. This report is directed where it should be, to all those who are families, men, women and children working and living, trying to live better and we can help in that process, helping as partners not ordering, not directing, not thinking we know everything but listening to what they hope and want. That is part of the whole picture and I trust that we will move in this spirit which is so well embodied in this document and in the remarks of those who have spoken before me here, and continue so that next year we will have even better news.
A.H.M. ABDUL HYE (Bangladesh): In 1979 the World Conference on agrarian reform and Rural Development mandated an agreed Declaration of Principles and a Programme of Action which in the view of FAO's Director-General "is a moral commitment on the part of the governments of the world to new directions of change." The Government of Bangladesh believes that it is the duty of every government to pursue policies and implement programmes for the promotion of welfare of the people. My country is convinced that without economic emancipation which involves amelioration and ultimately eradication of poverty, political independence has little significance.
After the disappointing redistributive results of the development strategies pursued in the past, many developing countries including Bangladesh have come to realize that the problems of poverty and economic inequality have to be frontally attacked and not left to be resolved through the 'trickle-down' effect.
Though belated, the convergence of views among the developing and developed countries over the basic issues of growth with redistribution augurs well for the future.
The significance of WCARRD Declaration of Principles and Programme of Action lies in the fact that they reflect this unanimity of the international community about the urgent need to ameliorate poverty, particularly rural poverty, through appropriate measures at national and international level.
Since developing countries experiencing deterioration in the standard of living of the majority of their population had already adopted policies or revised existing policies on socio-economic development, the WCARRD Declaration of Principles and Programme of Action should be viewed as having given impetus in clarifying their development objectives or sharpening the instruments for their achievement. It would therefore be incorrect to think that programmes and policies in each of the areas of the WCARRD Programme of Action were initiated by the countries only after WCARRD.
I would like briefly to review the progress in each of the areas of the WCARRD Programme of Action in Bangladesh within this context of gradual shift in the objectives of national development.
Access to land -Bangladesh has recently carried out an agrarian reform to facilitate access to land and to effect changes in land tenure. This reform measure provides for: (a) Reduction of the maximum ceiling on land holding from 33 acres to 20 acres and redistributing the surplus among landless and marginal farmers; (b) protection of the occupancy rights of the share-croppers and other tenants; (c) equitable sharing of the cost of production and the gross produce between the landowners and share-croppers; (d) restriction on the rights of absentee landowners; (e) distribution of newly accredited land among the landless.
It is felt that even after the land reform has been carried out sucessfully, not enough land would be available for distribution among the landless and the near landless. As they could be absorbed immediately in the industrial sector, measures have been taken to provide off-farm employment opportunities. Fisheries, community forestry, livestock rearing and cottage industries are some of the activities that are being provided and supported by the Government.
People's participation - Development projects sponsored by both Government and NGOs increasingly provide scope for people's participation because of the realization that scarce resources are better utilized when the intended beneficiaries participate both at planning and implementation stages.
Under the BRDB and the Co-op Project cooperatives for different professional groups are being promoted and strengthened. Besides cooperatives, various other organizations have also been encouraged to participate in development activities in the rural areas. The recent decentralization of administration has not only brought public service to the doorstep of the rural population but has integrated local level administration with local bodies, making them proud of development activities. The elected chairmen and members of local government bodies will be responsible to coordinate and take decisions in all development matters concerning their area and through this ensure the participatory development. The planning and budgeting procedures of the government have already been decentralized towards this end.
The strengthened local government bodies with greater delegation of powers and village cooperatives are expected to participate in the implementation of the recently introduced law reform.
Training and extension - Cooperatives, farmers' organizations and the local government bodies are being increasingly involved in agricultural and rural development training. But while one ministry is giving greater emphasis on agricultural extension through cooperatives and farmers' leaders, another ministry, at the behest of an international financial institution, has to rely more on government extension staff at the field level, which only shows the difficulty of pursuing a uniform policy with regard to rural development when resources come from external sources prescribing different approaches.
Women's participation - Recognizing the important role of women in the rural household, as well as the economic activities where they are traditionally engaged or can be potentially productive, specific programmes have been designed for rural women. The women's cooperative and other women's groups in the rural areas have greatly helped them to overcome their handicaps on account of poverty or sex and have provided services to enhance this role in economic activities and their status in the society.
Through various ministries we pursue programmes for the welfare of women and to ensure their participation in development. The continuancy of a separate Ministry for Women's Affairs speaks of the heightened awareness of my Government about the role of women in the development of the country in general, and in the rural development in particular.
Credit and marketing - Realizing that credit for agriculture and other non-farming activities is a very important input and that marketing provides the necessary incentives for producers, the existing programme on rural credit of the banks and the cooperative societies has been streamlined and strengthened to ensure that the small and marginal farmers and the landless, including women, have access to credit. An innovative credit programme known as "Government Bank" (Rural Bank) for the landless has recently been expanded with IFAD assistance. Unfortunately, another successful innovative project, known as ASARRD for the benefit of the small farmers and landless could not expand for lack of adequate support from international agencies. It is all the more regrettable because FAO had sent consultants and missions on three occasions and positive recommendations were made by all of them. (This raises the question: is FAO's role to be confined to fielding of consultants and not taking any follow-up action?)
The marketing of agricultural and non-agricultural produce through Government agencies and cooperatives is gradually being extended, but progress in this respect has been slow. Introduction of crop insurance and the continuing policy of providing support prices for major crops underpin the efforts of the Government to strengthen rural marketing.
Commitment of Resources
In spite of severe resource constraints, the Government of Bangladesh continues to allocate sizeable quantities of resources to the agricultural and rural development sector. The allocation of more than 30 per cent of the public sector outlay in recent years reflects the high priority attached to this sector.
International Economic Relations
Bangladesh, like most other developing countries, faces an unfavourable international environment. The price of jute, which earns 70 per cent of our foreign exchange, has sharply declined while the prices of manufactured products and oil imports have gone up, making it difficult for the country to devote increasing resources to the rural sector. The stagnation or even decline in the external resources flow in recent years has further aggravated the situation.
Alleviation of Poverty
It has been estimated that about 80 per cent of the population in the rural areas live below the poverty line as defined by calorie intake. These marginal farmers who constitute 25 per cent of the farm households and the landless (now accounting for 50 per cent of the total farm households) belong to this category. Though the major thrust of the development programmes and institutional reforms has been directed to the rural poor and disadvantaged, it will be quite some time before large scale improvement can be expected. However, present policies in respect of providing employment through food-for-work programme, rural works programme, rural health infrastructures, and free primary education have already shown some improvement in the areas of nutrition, lower child and infant mortality and literacy. The poverty-oriented strategy adopted by the Government, which has received great impetus from the WCARRD Declaration of Principles or Programme of Action, can accelerate the amelioration of poverty if the international economic environment improves.
Policy Issues
The methodological basis for monitoring progress in agricultural and rural development incorporating socio-economic indicators has already been laid. Though the major responsibility of improving the data base and quantification of poverty line, criteria for measuring access to inputs and people's participation, lies with national governments as well as international agencies, particularly FAO as the leader of the ACC Task Force can provide valuable technical assistance. In this regard the role of CIRDAP is very much appreciated and we feel that further strengthening of these regional bodies on rural development will be a positive step towards implementation of the follow-up actions. At the national level there is urgent need for greater functional linkages between the monitoring agency and the planning body or the concerned ministry on a continuous basis. The involvement of FAO country representatives in the monitoring process can provide updated data to FAO Headquarters which will facilitate the overall assessment of the situation with respect to the WCARRD Programme of Action as prevailing in different countries. Mr Chairman, my delegation feels that FAO should continue its efforts for assisting countries in implementing the Programme of Action through technical assistance and wherever warranted to provide funds from extrabudgetary means as part of the follow-up actions 1/.
A.S. OULD MOLOUD (Mauritanie): Monsieur le Président, n'ayant pu m'inserire pour mon intervention en plénière, la délégation mauritanienne remercie l'équipe de son travail et du document qui nous a été présenté.
Effectivement, c'est grâce à la Conférence sur la réforme agraire et le développement rural que plusieurs pays en développement ont pris conscience de la nécessité d'une très bonne distribution des terres cultivables.
En Mauritanie, depuis l'entrée en vigueur de la Loi sur la réforme agraire, chaque citoyen est protégé contre toute spéculation. Toute personne qui ne possède pas de titre foncier peut en faire la demande auprès des ministères concernés; une fois la procédure terminée, elle deviendrait propriétaire avec toutes les garanties. Comme vous le savez, la Mauritanie est un pays d'élevage extensif, mais depuis les années de sécheresse, et la crise économique mondiale, le gouvernement a décidé d'encourager le retour à la campagne: facilités, exonération de droits de douane et taxes, distribution gratuite des semences, d'engrais, encadrement des agriculteurs et éleveurs.
Je dois vous dire que la Mauritanie, malgré les difficultés climatiques, prône, comme priorité, le développement rural.
La Mauritanie fut un pays d'élevage; par la force des choses; elle est devenue, ou essaie d'êtreun pays agricole: création des coopératives agricoles, d'élevages, et tout cela malgré les difficultésincalculables: avancée du désert, pluies irrégulières, etc.
Encore une fois, la Mauritanie remercie la FAO de son aide ponctuelle, sans oublier le Secrétariat qui nous a présenté le document C 83/23; nous remercions toute l'équipe de ce travail excellent.
Nos remerciements vont aux hommes du terrain qui sont chargés de l'exécution des projets.
La délégation mauritanienne demande au Secrétariat d'être son interprète auprès du Directeur général pour lui transmettre nos remerciements les plus sincères 2/.
1./Statement inserted in the verbatim records on request.
2./Texte reçu avec demande d'insertion au procès-verbal,
N. ISLAM (Assistant Director-General, Economic and Social Policy Department): The Secretariat is very grateful indeed to the distinguished delegates for the various comments and suggestions they have made which we hope will help us in the improvement of our next documentation for the 1987 Conference. A great deal of questions, suggestions, and comments were made or directed towards the improvement of the information base for such a progress report. We indeed are grateful to the delegates for appreciating the limitations from which we suffered in this work: a) the time span, the time limit in the sense that since the last conference four years have elapsed. That is not much time for reporting much progress in such a vital and complex area. b) the inadequate data base on which you had to work. This problem is likely to haunt us for the future as well unless concerted efforts are made by all concerned to improve the situation.
I shall explain in some detail as to how we went about preparing this report, so that in the future we may have more cooperation and also improve our efforts in the preparation of the 1987 report. The Director-General had sent to member countries a request for submission of the country report. This is attached to our document, the request and the format of the report. It explained what is supposed to be included in such a country report, in terms of analyses of policy changes since the WCARRD Programme of Action and in terms of quantitative information indicators. Thirty-three countries sent such reports which obviously, because of the time limitations and also data limitations, could not be as satisfactory as they themselves wanted them to be. FAO in addition undertook 26 case studies. Out of those 26, 8 case studies undertaken by FAO were considered by the countries themselves to be bare country reports - that is how they informed us. In addition, we rely on other types of information: for example, the reports of WCARRD follow-up missions to various countries. We also have the reports on socio-economic indicators development and case studies - pilot studies -in a number of countries, 23 of them. In addition, we have relied upon the kinds of published and unpublished material accumulated in FAO and other agencies, including publications by private institutions or scholars. For certain aspects of the report, we had special surveys undertaken, such as the survey on public expenditure, on resource flow to agriculture, on which we had a lot of discussion earlier this week and last week. For such indicators on health, infant mortality, and education, we have relied on the data collected from other UN agencies such as Unesco, WHO, ILO, etcetera. The country studies and our in-depth studies, country reports, etcetera, cover about 75 per cent of the population of the developing countries.
A remark was made yesterday that the country studies in the report covered a very small number of the world population in the developing world, and we wanted to give you a rough estimate of the population of the developing countries which was covered by these reports. Admittedly they suffer from a lot of shortcomings. In order to achieve a greater coverage and to accumulate improved data, we need the active, extensive, and systematic cooperation of member countries. After all, as a few distinguished delegates have emphasized, collection of benchmark data on socio-economic indicators, monitoring and evaluating them with the data on progress of agrarian reform and rural development - this task is not intended for FAO. It is primarily intended for the member countries to monitor their progress for their own development programming and planning. We therefore suggest that the socio-economic indicators programme which you have launched, which has been developed after (a) regional consultations in various regions over the last several years, and (b) a world wide expert consultation with experts drawn from all parts of the world, held in Rome last year, we have developed a whole set of indicators.
The next stage is for us, and we are preparing a manual containing these indicators, with instructions and detailed descriptions as to how these indicators can be developed in the, context of the surveys and censuses which the countries do undertake from time to time. This programme has to be integrated into the statistical development system of each member country. We intend to hold regional and national development courses with a view to assisting member countries to implement such a programme. When all is said and done, this job is a rather skilled, manpower-intensive job for the member countries and needs an allocation of resources. This is not a cheap or inexpensive operation: therefore it depends on the priority which member countries attach to such an exercise - how seriously they intend to undertake this exercise.
Secondly, the whole programme of socio-economic indicators extends beyond the exclusive responsibilities of FAO. There are indicators which are in the realm of other United Nations agencies. We have informed the UN Sub-Committee on Statistics: they are aware of our socio-economic indicators programme. So we need a cooperative effort, even system-wise, as well as primary and heavy involvement of the member countries in achieving any success in this programme.
Some distinguished delegates have referred to our problem in the measurement of rural poverty - the poverty-line, as well as under-nutrition. This is indeed a tricky problem, and the controversy is unabated as to what exactly is meant by these measurements. We in FAO are involved now in what I have referred to in earlier debates as 'the Fifth World Food Survey', in which we are engaged in the light of new advances in methodology and new, additional data, to derive new estimates of under nutrition. We hope that by 1985 we will come out with estimates for a large number of countries, and hopefully for regions in the world as a whole.
I would also like to mention that developed member countries may have a role in this respect, in terms of providing information, analysis, and appraisal of activities in respect of progress in agrarian reform and rural development. If you recall, at the time of the WCARRD Conference itself, developed member countries did submit country reports on this subject in which they included an analysis of their development assistance activities in the field of agrarian reform and rural development in the developing world, and they were very useful inputs to the preparation of documentation for the WCARRD Conference. It may be therefore that in the next round of reporting in 1987 the developed member countries can also contribute in providing information and analysis in respect of their activities in the developing countries in the field of agrarian reform and rural development.
Questions are raised about the nature of the studies on which we rely for the preparation of this document. The distinguished delegate from the United Kingdom raised the issue that most of the studies are of the socio-economic risk type, and not of an operational nature. I would like to add here that indeed we have both types of studies, even though the report mentions mainly the macro-studies of socio-economic types. The operational studies were related of course - usually, as they are carried out here - in the context of specific programmes and project formulation. There were a large number of such on-going studies specially relating to some subjects which have been included in the document - people's participation, women's role, training and extension, delivery services, decentralization of administration of rural development, etc.
Reference has been made to the lack of adequate discussion on technology for the poor and small farmer, especially in the context of the activities in the International Agricultural Research Centre. We do recognize this, and we hope to have more during the next time around.
Many comments have been made on the role of people's participation, non-governmental organizations, in the implementation of the WCARRD Programme of Action. The FAO Secretariat does indeed attach considerable importance to this problem. As many distinguished delegates may be aware, we do have regular consultations with international, non-governmental organizations; and at the country level FAO Representatives now have contacts with national NGOs with a view to exploring how we can cooperate with them in the implementation of specific projects and programmes in this area. At the international level we cooperate very closely with an international-level organization, ILO, which has special expertise and experience in working with people's NGOs and people's organizations. In fact, under the auspices of the ACC Task Force on Rural Development we have a group working on people's participation of which the convenor agency is ILO. We are exploring with them the possibility of working jointly at the country level as well. ILO, being of a tripartite nature in their constitution, have a special advantage in this respect. For example they have a rural education programme for rural workers and leaders of people's organizations at the grass-root level in cooperation with NGOs, and we are exploring possibilities of how we can participate in this rural education programme.
So far as the role of people's organizations in the implementation of the WCARRD Programme of Action was concerned, as the document points out - and also as the FAO Resolution of 1979 on WCARRD Programme of Action emphasizes, the need for ratification of ILO Conventions in this regard - as the distinguished delegates are aware as of 1983, 11 developing countries have ratified the ILO Convention on
Rural Workers' Organizations, which was I suppose agreed upon in 1975, and the earlier ILO Convention on Freedom of Association 47 countries have so far ratified, and 4 countries have ratified since 1979.
Comments were made as to "How do you make more effective WCARRD Follow-up Missions?" We have been learning through experience, and we are improving our work in connection with WCARRD Follow-up Missions not only in terms of our preparation at the headquarters and involvement of other UN agencies in terms of participation, but also preparatory work at the country level by the country itself. We have made significant progress in this respect as we go along, extending the numbers of the missions that we are launching.
Suggestions have been made that these missions should be in two stages: first we should have the review of policies and programmes, and in the second stage the mission should be concerned with formulation of specific projects. In fact, in some of the cases this is exactly what we have done.
Much has been said about the critical role of women's organizations in the implementation of the WCARRD Programme of Action. Indeed, as the document points out, this is an area in which there has been increasing awareness, international as well as national. FAO has been consistently expanding its activities in this area. We have developed guidelines and check lists in order to ensure that the projects and programmes could incorporate women's concerns. We are cooperating with the International Training and Research Centre for Women in finalizing a common set of guidelines which could be used by international agencies as well as by national organizations.
I might here inform the Conference that as a part of our work on women in development we are holding an expert consultation this year right after this Conference on women in food production. Experts from 30 countries will participate in this consultation. which will be directed towards assisting us and advising us on policies and programmes relating to various aspects of women's involvement in food production.
One item which came up earlier in the discussion is the role of a national coordinating mechanism for the effective monitoring and evaluation of progress in agrarian reform and rural development at the country level. We have collected information on this. The document points out that at various regional intercountry consultations this was an item which came up repeatedly and on which there was universal agreement, but we are afraid that, in terms of effective implementation of a national
mechanism for coordinating various ministries and agencies, of which invariably a large number is involved in this area, this will not only create problems for consistent and systematic implementation of the Programme of Action but will also create complexities in the task of monitoring and evaluation. As distinguished delegates will readily realize, much of this monitoring data collection and indicators, etc., does not necessarily lie with the Ministries of Agriculture. As you will very well appreciate, it spans various other Ministries, including Ministries of Planning, so unless a systematic attempt is made to involve others, and in a coordinating effort, success is bound to be limited, I'm afraid.
Much has been said on the role of training in various aspects: training for improving agricultural technology; training for improving women's participation; training for leaders of rural organizations, etc. This, indeed, is a very large part of FAO's activities, scattered all over the Organization, in terms of both general education and training programmes, as well as project related ones.
CHAIRMAN: Thank you, Dr Islam. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am not going to attempt to summarize the discussion. We are well over time as a result of this debate, and that indeed gives me a very good excuse not to try to match the performance of the real Chairman of this Commission, Señor Portillo, with the very able summations he has given of earlier sessions of the Commission. Let me say, however, that I have been most impressed by the importance which all delegates have attached to the subject matter of this item, and I think rightly so, because, as I have mentioned before, it is at the very core of the problems of overcoming poverty and hunger. I have been tremendously impressed by the enthusiasm of so many speakers from developing countries in referring to the progress that has been achieved in their own countries and the extent of dedication and commitment which exists to continue with the work and overcome the problems that still remain. I think it augurs well for having some spectacular results to report in 1987.
It has been an honour and a privilege to be your Chairman for this session of the Commission and it is with some regret that I hand the Chair back to your real Chairman, Señor Portillo.
José Ramón López, Chairman of Commission I, took the chair
José Ramon López-Portillo, Président de la Commission I, assume la présidence
Ocupa la presidencia José Ramón López-Portillo, Presidente de la Comisión I
- Adoption of Resolution related to Item 6.1 on Critical Situation of Food and Agriculture in Africa (C 83/LIM/26)
- Adoption d'une résolution relative au point 6.1 sur la situation critique de l'alimentation et de l’agriculture en Afrique C 83/LIM/26)
- Aprobación de la resolución relativa al tema 6.1 sobre la situación crítica de la agricultura y la alimentación en Afrique (C 83/LIM/26)
El PRESIDENTE: Antes de pasar al siguiente punto de nuestra agenda, deseo que tratemos, en este momento, el Proyecto de Resolución sobre la situación crítica de la alimentación y la agricultura en Africa, notificado el día de ayer por la mañana, por la delegación de Cabo Verde a nombre de otras delegaciones.
Esta Presidencia sugiere el siguiente procedimiento para tratar este Proyecto. Si hubiere algunos comentarios sobre ese Proyecto de Resolución que ustedes tienen ya en sus manos, desde hoy en la mañana en todos los idiomas, les suplico se lo turnen a la Secretaría con el proposito de que tome debida nota de ellos.Pero en caso de que dichos comentarios sean complicados, y por su cantidad no podamos resolver eficazmente en un trabajo rápido en esta Comisión, esta Presidencia solicitará el que se cree un grupo de contacto para tratar dicho aspecto. De manera que si ustedes tienen alguna observación concreta que hacer en torno a este Proyecto de Resolución, les suplico la hagan en el sentido de que el tema correspondiente, es decir, el de la situación crítica de la alimentación y la agricultura en la región de Africa, fue tratado en las primeras dos sesiones de esta Comisión, por lo que les ruego, no hacer referencia de nuevo a tal tema.
¿Hay algún comentario en torno a este Proyecto de Resolución?
M. HERSI BAHAL (Somalia): Mr Chairman, the resolution before us on the critical situation of food and agriculture in Africa is very well drawn and it addresses the FAO and the world community to the gravity of the food situation in Africa. However, our delegation would like to add one important item to this resolution, namely support for national and regional research institutions.
Investment in research is lower in Africa than elsewhere. In view of this our delegation proposes that the following additional paragraph be inserted: "Understanding that provision of food assistance for the countries facing critical food shortage in Africa is a temporary measure aimed at alleviating the impending food problem, it is imperative upon FAO that regional and national research institutions be strengthened in order to result in a breakthrough in the low-yielding food varieties of seeds currently in use in Africa".
El PRESIDENTE: Le suplico el que turne por escrito a la Secretaría la redacción que propone en torno a tan importante sugerencia.
H. MOHAMADI (Sudan) (original language Arabic): Mr Chairman, first, with regard to the second paragraph of the preamble in the Arabic text, in the second line of the Arabic text referring to such factors as persistent drought, poor rainfall and bushfires, this could be valid for the English text, but I want to add bushfires and "desertification" because this is one of the main problems faced by the African continent.
I will hand over these amendments to the Secretariat. Then the Arabic text should read as follows: "...bushfires and desertification which could be considered as factors aggravating the situation."
With regard to paragraph 6: "Underlines the need to ensure urgently the rehabilitation of agriculture and animal husbandry," here we should add "and to resist the desertification in the affected countries." Further amelioration of the formulation could be made by adding: "... in the affected countries, inter alia through the donation of agricultural inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and farm equipment...", and then we could mention "vaccines". We could mention "farm equipment" first and then comes theword "vaccines", and then we should mention "the increase of assistance to resist desertification."
With regard to paragraph 8, I think that the words "to redress their productive capacity in the field of agriculture and animal husbandry" should be deleted and replaced by "in the field of agricultural and animal production and desertification". And, of course, this applies to all other fields such as forestry and range lands which we have previously mentioned.
J. OLIVEIRA (Guinée-Bissau): Je n'ai pas de commentaires à faire sur le projet de résolution, mais en ce qui concerne la situation critique de l'alimentation et de 1 agriculture en Afrique, la délégation de la Guinée-Bissau ne faisant pas partie de la liste des 22 pays qui, jusqu'à maintenant, ont été mentionnés par la FAO comme des pays ayant une situation difficile, veut vous confirmer ce qui a déjà été dit dans le message du Ministère du développement rural de la Guinée-Bissau à la Conférence en ce qui concerne la situation agricole. Notre pays souffre depuis des années des problèmes de sécheresse et d'irrégularités des pluies. Cette année, encore une fois, la situation n'a pas changé. On prévoit une nette réduction dans la production des principales denrées alimentaires de base; dans certaines zones, on prévoit une réduction de 50 pour cent. A cet effet, la délégation de la Guinée-Bissau insiste pour que notre pays soit inclus dans la liste des pays africains touchés par les pénuries alimentaires pour pouvoir bénéficier des aides d'urgence et d'un appui pour pouvoir relancer son agriculture.
Pour toutes ces raisons, notre délégation soutient et approuve le projet de la résolution présentée la délégation du Cap-Vert.
L. ARIZA HIDALGO (Cuba): Nosotros, específicamente, no tenemos ningún comentario sobre la resolución; pero nuestro país quiere reiterar expresamente su pleno apoyo a todo lo que constituye aliviar la gravísima situación alimentaria de Africa que, a pesar de los esfuerzos internos que realizan los países africanos por su agricultura, la infraestructura, heredada del colonialismo, insuficiente a todas luces, necesita una ayuda rápida. Consideramos ayuda rápida a como está concebido en el proyecto sobre la base de la entrega de material de la ayuda ya prometida.
Creemos muy justa la inclusion en la resolución de la felicitación al Director General y a la FAO por la constante vigilancia por la situación alimentaria y agrícola de Africa, así como por los esfuerzos desplegados en su ayuda.
Apoyamos plenamente la resolución.
P.G. SCALIERIS (Grèce): Comme vous le savez la Communauté économique européenne et ses dix Etats membres attachent une grande importance à la situation alimentaire en Afrique. C'est pourquoi je vous demanderai de bien vouloir donner la parole au représentant de la CEE qui exprimera à ce stade le point de vue de la Communauté sur cette résolution relative a la situation critique de l'alimentation et de l’agriculture en Afrique.
G. DESESQUELLES (CEE): Je veux d'abord vous dire que la Communauté économique européenne attache une grande importance à la situation alimentaire en Afrique. C'est ainsi que, dans le cadre du Programme spécial de la CEE de lutte contre la faim dans le monde, 70 pour cent des 50 millions d'écus seront délivrés à l'Afrique (l'écu a une valeur sensiblement égale au dollar). La CEE est aussi consciente de la situation alimentaire critique actuelle dans 22 pays d'Afrique à la suite de la sécheresse et des inondations qui ont frappé durement certaines rions du continent africain.
A cet égard, je dois vous informer que le Conseil des ministres du développement des Communautés européennes siège actuellement à Bruxelles et est saisi de ce problème. Vous comprendrez que la CEE et ses Etats Membres ont donc noté avec un intérêt particulier la résolution qui est présentée sur la situation critique de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture en Afrique. Après un examen approfondi de cette résolution par les dix pays de la Communauté, nous considérons, après acceptation de certaines modifications et notamment du quatrième considérant du préambule, et à l'article 2 du dispositif que nous pourrions présenter dans le cadre d'un groupe de contact-ce dont nous avons déjà informé certains pays africains, qu'il nous serait possible de supporter cette résolution.
De toute façon nous remettrons nos propositions de modifications au secrétariat. Je vous remercie.
M. FENWICK (United States of America): I am happy to join in this; I wish I could have been included as a co-sponsor, the situation is so grave. I have a small amendment to line 1, paragraph 2 in the Preamble, "Noting that population of Africa is increasing and that the present food supply ...'', and so on; in other words, to insert that we note the population is increasing. This is necessary because it is true, because it adds to the crisis, because it refers to something which FAO has reported on. I am happy to say it has the approval of my colleagues from Cameroon and Senegal to whom I have had the opportunity of speaking. I wish I had been able to speak to all sponsor members, but I offer that as a small and sensible suggestion for that item.
S. ALI KETRANDJI (Algerie): Je me réfère au paragraphe 2 de la version française où il est dit ''souscrit aux appels qu'il a lancés en faveur des pays d'Afrique menacés par des pénuries alimentaires et exhorte la communauté internationale à y répondre généreusement ...'' : je recommande de supprimer le mot ''généreusement'' et de le remplacer par la phrase : "à y répondre de manière conséquente".
El PRESIDENTE: Señores, nos hemos referido a la totalidad de las sugerencias por escrito, aquellas que se han hecho oralmente y que resultan sencillas se han tomado en cuenta, de manera que vamos a pasar al siguiente tema, y una vez que organicemos los comentarios que nos han formulado regresaremos al tratamiento de esta resolución, antes de terminar la sesión de la mañana.
Pasamos ahora al tema 10 de nuestra agenda, relativo al informe provisional sobre las actividades del Día Mundial de la Alimentación. El documento sobre el que se basa este tema es el C 83/9. Quiero invitar al Sr. Moreno Rojas a que presente este tema.
R. MORENO ROJAS (Director de la Dirección de Recursos Humanos, Instituciones y Reforma Agraria):Me corresponde a continuación presentar a ustedes la evaluación de los resultados conmemorativos delTercer Día Mundial de la Alimentación y referirme brevemente a sus perspectivas futuras.
En el documento C 83/9, titulado: "Informe provisional sobre las actividades del Día Mundial de la Alimentación" se presenta una evaluación general sobre lo que fue la celebración del Día Mundial en el año 1982 y se ha entregado una información preliminar sobre cuál era el estado de los preparativos para este día en el presente año. Como es obvio en dicho texto sólo se incluyeron los informes que se disponían hasta julio del presente año; por lo tanto, teniendo como base la información de ese documento, entregaré a continuación la información que ilustra lo que ha ocurrido en el curso de la celebración de este día en octubre de 1983.
Múltiples fueron los eventos que este año se realizaron tanto a nivel internacional, regional y nacional. A nivel internacional, como es del conocimiento de todos los delegados, tuvo particular relevancia la ceremonia realizada aquí en la sede central de Roma de la FAO, el día 17 de octubre, en la que el orador principal de dicha ceremonia fue el Excmo. Sr. Olaf Palme, Primer Ministro del Reino de Suecia, eminente personalidad ampliamente conocida en el área internacional, entre otras cosas por su contribución al desarrollo del diálogo Norte-Sur, y a la búsqueda de soluciones a los problemas que amenazan la paz mundial.
En dicha ocasión, junto a la intervención que el Director General de la FAO dirigiera a todos los países en su mensaje, hizo también uso de la palabra en representación del Gobierno de Italia al Sr. Giulio Andreotti, Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores de la República de Italia y ex Presidente del Consejo de Ministros. Todos los oradores, desde diversos puntos de vista, enfocaron el tema de los problemas mundiales del hambre y la desnutrición y lanzaron un vigoroso llamado a la comunidad internacional para reforzar el sistema mundial de seguridad alimentaria, otorgando una mayor prioridad, tanto al aumento de la producción de alimentos, como a la distribución más equitativa de los mismos para que dichos beneficios fueran asequibles a toda la población rural y global del mundo.
Simultáneamente a la ceremonia realizada en Roma, se celebró en la sede de las Naciones Unidas, en Nueva York, el día 17 otro acto solemne que contó con la participación de todas las delegaciones que se encontraban atendiendo los trabajos de la Asamblea en su período ordinario de sesiones. Fue particularmente relevante la intervención del Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas, Sr. Pérez de Cuéllar. También dicha oportunidad hicieron uso de la palabra el Vicepresidente de la Asamblea General Sr. Mohamed Shanoun, el Sr. Sergio Correa de Acosta, Presidente del Consejo Económico y Social, así como los representantes de todos los grupos regionales acreditados ante la Asamblea General.
A nivel regional este año surgieron algunas nuevas iniciativas, las cuales me gustaría recalcar en esta oportunidad.
En el caso de Africa, la ceremonia principal se realizó en Arusha, Tanzania, bajo auspicios del Centro Regional de Desarrollo Rural Integrado para el Africa, CIRDAFRICA, el cual, junto con la FAO organizaron unos seminarios sobre los problemas de la seguridad alimentaria y la autosuficiencia en Africa. Este seminario, que fue organizado, como ya lo he dicho, bajo los auspicios del Centro Regional, contó con la participación de S.E. el Ministro de Estado de Tanzania, Gertrude Mongella, y al mismo tiempo con la participación del Ministro de Agricultura del Congo, quien viajó expresamente invitado para dicha reunión.
De especial relevancia fue la forma en que el tema escogido para Africa fue tratado tanto en esta reunión como en otras dado que el Continente Africano, escogió como tema tópico de la celebración del Año 1983, aquello que se denomina "salvemos la cosecha", para lo cual se preparó un documento que fue distribuido masivamente dentro de los países miembros.
En el caso de América Latina y el Caribe, se realizó en la ciudad de Santiago, sede de la Oficina Regional, una ceremonia que contó con la presencia de las autoridades nacionales y autoridades eclesiásticas, las cuales en dicha oportunidad se refirieron a problemas relacionados con la ética y los problemas alimentarios mundiales. En dicha oportunidad, la Oficina Regional de la FAO preparó un documento que se encuentra en este momento en distribución, enfocando los problemas de la urbanización, la alimentación y la nutrición en América Latina, el cual está siendo en este momento distribuido.
En nuestra Oficina Regional para el Asia y el Pacífico, localizada en Bangkok, se realizó un simposio regional sobre estrategias alimentarias a partir de las experiencias de algunos países seleccionados en el área. En este simposio, junto con el debate que fue transmitido por la televisión tailandesa, participaron en ella los Ministros de Agricultura, de Cooperativas y de Educación de Tailandia, junto con nuestros representantes regionales en dicha área.
La extensa cobertura de prensa, radio y television que fue otorgada en todo el mundo para este día sería casi imposible de ser resumida en esta presentación y creo que no hacemos justicia solamente al mencionarlo como tal.
La Secretaría y el Comité para el Día de la Alimentación han venido realizando una evaluación cuidadosa del material que los distintos medios de prensa, radio y television han venido publicando con motivo de la celebración del día Mundial de la Alimentación y es para nosotros motivo de verdadera satisfacción y orgullo señalar que la cobertura del año 1983 es no sólo meritoria en espacio sino también en profundidad, en relación a lo que hemos visto en los años precedentes. A nivel nacional, que es precisamente donde el Día Mundial de la Alimentación tiene su mayor realce, este año fue celebrado en más de 140 países, cuyos informes se están recibiendo hasta este momento.
Es difícil hacer un resumen de todo el tipo de actividades, eventos e iniciativas que se han desarrollado a nivel nacional. Sólo quisiéramos señalar algunas de ellas que sirvan de elementos-guías para actividades que pudieran desarrollarse en el futuro: reuniones de agricultores, de campesinos, de trabajadores rurales, seminarios y debates sobre las causas del hambre y de las soluciones propuestas, problemas literarios, artísticos y educativos, así como un crecimiento en el número de actividades diversas, unido a la concesión de premios para artistas, agricultores y campesinos destacados, junto con medallas conmemorativas, han sido las principales cosas que pudiéramos destacar.
Este año, con ocasión del Día Mundial de la Alimentación, el Director General de la FAO ha recibido una cantidad importante de mensajes de Jefes de Estado y de Gobiernos, de Ministros de Relaciones Exteriores, de Ministros de Agricultura y de dirigentes internacionales de organizaciones no gubernamentales, tanto a nivel mundial como regional. En ellos no sólo se reitera el apoyo a la celebración de este Día y se rinde un homenaje a nuestra Organización (dado que en esa fecha es cuando se conmemora la creación de la FAO), sino que se reiteran los esfuerzos que tanto los gobiernos como las organizaciones no gubernamentales vienen realizando para tratar de enfatizar la prioridad que tiene el problema de la agricultura en el mundo y los esfuerzos que deben ser realizados para apoyar la prioridad que este sector tiene.
De especial significación es el mensaje que con esta oportunidad dirigiera al Director General Su Santidad Juan Pablo II, en el cual reitera su solidaridad a la campaña emprendida por la FAO.
El Día Mundial de la Alimentación, más que una actividad o una festividad, es un proceso, un proceso en el cual toda la comunidad internacional y nacional va tomando conciencia de los problemas que enfrentan al mundo de hoy y de los esfuerzos que estamos en condiciones de realizar. Es por ello que sería ilusorio pensar que el Día Mundial de la Alimentación por sí mismo representa una solución a los problemas escritos. Más bien debe ser elemento que nos está surgiendo en un momento culminante de reflexión, que nos permita evaluar lo que realizamos y sobre todo tomar conciencia de lo que aún no hemos sido capaces de realizar para resolver los problemas que destacamos.
Este año el Director General de la FAO sugirió que el tema central fuese el de la seguridad alimenaria, que debería movilizar a los países y a la comunidad internacional para actuar con la mayor eficiencia en los temas escritos.
En las programaciones de las actividades del Día Mundial de la Alimentación de 1983 debemos destacar y hacer justicia al crecimiento de la dinámica actividad desarrollada por las organizaciones no gubernamentales. Más de 3 000 organizaciones no gubernamentales han actuado en el año 1983 en torno a esta celebración. Su número es cada vez mayor y ellas constituyen un rango cada vez más rico y profundo de lo que significa la organización social en los distintos países, tanto en desarrollo como desarrollados de este tipo de universo.
Y de especial significación hay que señalar la actividad de los grupos de las organizaciones no gubernamentales en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, en Canadá, en Inglaterra, en Australia y particularmente en el Continente Asiático, donde han adquirido un gran dinamismo y vitalidad las acciones de estas organizaciones, concentradas en torno a esta temática.
En el año 1983 hay dos elementos más que debemos señalar en torno a lo que es la posibilidad de percibir esta temática. Uno de ellos, que tiene un gran alcance, es el que se relaciona con las actividades escolares y estudiantiles. Tomando conciencia de ello, el Director General de la FAO conjuntamente con el Director General de la Unesco, dirigieron una carta a todos los ministros de educación del mundo pidiéndoles que el Día Mundial de la Alimentación pudiera ser incorporado como un elemento permanente en el calendario de las actividades escolares. Y cada año en cada país del mundo se observa que este mensaje está siendo bien recibido. Por ello, con gran satisfacción queremos señalar en este informe que ésta es probablemente una de las áreas en las cuales creemos se debe seguir con persistencia, respondiendo a los esfuerzos que se han venido desarrollando en el año 1983.
De igual significación es el esfuerzo que vienen realizando las organizaciones religiosas para que el Día Mundial de la Alimentación adquiera una perspectiva en los términos en que se está desarrollando.
Por todo ello, señor Presidente y señores delegados, quisiéramos en esta oportunidad, a la vez que presentar este informe del año 1983, señalar que la Secretaría de la FAO y el Director General ven con gran perspectiva que este proceso pueda continuar desarrollándose en una forma dinámica. Tenemos conseiencia de que la fecha se va estableciendo en la mayoría de los países del mundo y tanto los jefes de Estado como los ministros de agricultura y la prensa, la television y la radio van tomando conciencia de que esta fecha, que coincide con la creación de nuestra Organización es la oportuna para discutir los problemas de la alimentación en el mundo. Y por ello queremos reiterar la determinación de prestar, dentro de los limitados recursos con que contamos, un renovado y continuado apoyo al esfuerzo que los países vienen desarrollando y establecer este tipo de evento en sus calendarios.
Quisiera poner término a esta intervención recordando que el Día Mundial de la Alimentación debe ser de toma de conciencia que responda a lo que es un sentimiento de tipo nacional e internacional. Es a ese sentimiento al que apelamos, porque creemos que no sólo basta tener la convicción de los puntos en que estamos comprometidos, sino que también en un mundo en el cual existen elementos de confusión en la discusión de temas que nos atraen, es precisamente en torno a esta confusión donde tenemos que hacer un esfuerzo para establecer las prioridades y en torno a ellas poder hacer claridad, para resolver los problemas de la justicia, de la paz y de la soberanía nacional.
EL PRESIDENTE: Agradezco al Sr. Moreno su comprensiva y entusiasta exposición, que sin duda viene a complementar y a actualizar el documento C 83/9 de este punto 10 de nuestra agenda.
No es necesario que señale yo ninguno de los aspectos trascendentales que ha manifestado el Sr. Moreno en torno a la importancia de ese que llamó momento culminante de reflexión en torno a los avances y situación relativa al hambre así como a los esfuerzos distributivos de la FAO. Estoy convencido de que todos nos hallamos plenamente conscientes de ello.
Señores, no quiero abrir en este momento debate en torno a dicho punto. Ello sería hoy por la tarde; pero quisiera, eso sí, informarles de que la Secretaría ha pedido revisar los comentarios y las sugerencias habidas en torno al proyecto de resolución. Para facilitar la creación de un grupo de contacto, deseo consultar a la Comunidad si las sugerencias hechas han sido a nombre de cada uno de los países de la comunidad y si esos países las suscriben.
G. DESESQUELLES (CEE): Le texte qui vient d'être présenté au nom de la CEE et de dix Etats membres est une position commune de dix pays. C'est une position de départ et il est évident que, compte tenu des discussions qui pourraient avoir lieu, elles pourraient être aménagées, adaptées, compte tenu de la sensibilité des différents textes de chacun des pays de la CEE. A ce stade, c'est une position commune des dix pays de la CEE.
EL PRESIDENTE: Señores, si así es, entonces el grupo de contacto podrá disponer de una sala, que dentro de unos momentos nos informará la secretaría de cuál será.
Es la sala de Alemania, que estará disponible hoy a partir de las 15.00 horas.
Sugiero que los integrantes de tal grupo de contacto seamos los siguientes países: Por supuesto, uno o dos de aquellos que hicieron la notificación en relación a esta resolución. Quizá Cabo Verde pudiera consultar cuáles de esos países pudieran estar presentes. Esta Presidencia sugiere también que Camerún pudiera estar en ese grupo de contacto, en unión de otras naciones que esperamos designe Cabo Verde.
Así, sugerimos: la delegación de Somalia, Sudán, Guinea-Bissau y de Grecia (a nombre de la Comunidad Económica Europea), así como los Estados Unidos de América, y la delegación de Cuba pudiera estar presente también en dicho grupo de contacto.
Si alguna de dichas delegaciones no desea estar presente, suplico que lo diga y si alguna otra deseara participar, que lo solicite.
¿La delegación de Australia desea participar? (afirmaciones). También se incorpora el grupo.
¿Hay alguna otra delegación más? La delegación de Francia desea inclusive participar, y asimismo las de Argentina y de Lesotho.
No deseamos que este grupo que comienza en la totalidad de la Comisión, porque entonces no vamos a poder trabajar y los avances serían muy difíciles. Les suplico moderen su entusiasmo. Estamos convencidos de que las delegaciones que se han incorporado sabrán responder con eficacia a sus intereses y representar apropiadamente a las diversas regiones.
Voy a dar lectura a la lista de. delegaciones que se han incluido en este grupo de contacto, y que son: Cabo Verde, Camerún, Somalia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Grecia, Estados Unidos, Cuba, Australia, Francia, Argentina, Lesotho y Sudán.
L. ARIZA HIDALGO (Cuba): Yo estoy dispuesto a utilizar todo el tiempo en favor de cualquier grupo de contacto. Lo que quiero aclarar es que nosotros, en el Comité de Resoluciones, aprobamos la Resolución y planteamos plenamente aquí, que estamos de acuerdo totalmente con la Resolución como está presentada. Por tanto, para nosotros el Grupo Africano es quien debe decidir directamente dentro del grupo. Nosotros no tenemos ninguna objeción.
De todas maneras, si se cree que podamos ser útiles, participamos; si no, creemos que es Africa quien debe decidir.
EL PRESIDENTE: Le agradezco mucho su comentario; nos permite hacer más manejable este grupo y estamos convencidos de que las delegaciones de Africa sabrán responder a sus intereses.
The meeting rose at 1255 hours
Laséance estlevée à 12 h 55
Se levanta la sesión a las 12.55 horas
