Contents
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PART III. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSION II
Requests to the Director-General
45. The Committee recommended that the Director-General should:
(b) encourage, by all possible means the adoption of methods of soil erosion control and preservation of soil organic matter;
(c) bring together information on successful experiences in watershed management;
(d) give increased assistance to member countries in the appraisal of their surface and underground water resources;
(e) consider measures to bring about closer co-operation between the interested parties in the development of international river basins;
(f) foster the use of sewage wafer for irrigation, while ascertaining that possible dangers to health are avoided, in co-operation with WHO;
(g) continue his efforts to ensure that FAO's special role and activities should be understood and respected by other agencies and international bodies, and that joint projects should give concrete results of practical value to member countries;
(h) intensify the work on the development of improved equipment of all types for the small farm;
(i) consider all measures to promote agricultural industrialization through assistance to Member Governments in the processing of agricultural raw materials through rural and other industries;
(j) pay even more attention to the improvement of rural housing especially in relation to land and water development and settlement schemes, according to modern standards of human needs and dignity.
Plant production and protection
PART I. SURVEY OF THE WORK OF THE DIVISION
General
1. The Technical Committee reviewed the work of the Plant Production and Protection Division and recognized that the last two years had shown a great expansion of activities in the Regular, the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance (EPTA), the United Nations Special Fund (UNSF) and the Freedom from Hunger Campaign (FFHC) programs The Committee commended the efforts made to cope with these expanded activities with the limited staff available. This had only been possible by reorganizing the work so as to make full use of the staff by distributing responsibilities on a geographical basis and by specific crops or groups of crops, and by assigning general matters to working teams composed of officers of different specializations. Within this framework, extension of activities was possible through careful selection of lines of work according to priorities as defined at previous Conference and Council sessions.
2. The Committee examined the proposed program of work for the ensuing biennium and gave it full support, with a few suggestions and modifications as indicated in the following paragraphs. The Committee fully endorsed the agro-ecological approach to the problem of increasing agricultural production as one of the important lines of the Division's activity, considering that this was a prerequisite to efficient crop production and protection and the base for an integrated, intelligent planning of new agricultural development, including economic and farm management aspects. It also commended the planned intensification work in plant exploration and introduction high quality seed production the exchange of plant material, and plant protection, especially where international problems were involved. The Committee considered the program to be well balanced and noted with satisfaction that everything was being done to carry it out in full collaboration with other technical Divisions and other international agencies.
3. The Committee generally recognized, as the Conference had previously done, that, despite the organizational efforts made, the existing and proposed staff did not seem adequate to deal with so many and such vital problems of production and protection. The Committee endorsed the establishment of new Headquarters posts. The majority of delegates also agreed to increasing the number of outposted officers in some regions. Most delegates appreciated the advantage of having Divisional staff in regional offices to deal with regional problems and to co-ordinate work between countries in the same region. It was understood that the Program Committee would be reviewing the whole question of regional assignments at its next session. The question of constructive cooperation between FAO and UNICEF received attention. The Committee agreed that additional staff was necessary to fill existing gaps and to permit expansion of programs of common interest to FAO and UNICEF. The establishment of the necessary posts for these projects was entirely an FAO responsibility. The problem of financing them was left for discussion by the Conference.
Field food crops
4. In reviewing the activities of the Field Food Crops Branch, the Committee noted with satisfaction that substantial work had been done on cereal crops such as wheat and rice, which are the staple food of the largest part of the world population. It also commended the regional approach to the improvement of food crops, such as that used in the Wheat and Barley Improvement Project in the Near East, where a concentration of technical means from many sources was being made. The importance of breeding for the improvement of different crops was stressed by the Committee which felt that, in many instances, regional problems could be solved mainly by genetic improvement programs, with full use of local plant material and, on other occasions, by the introduction of foreign germ plasm.
5. The Committee stressed the importance of the work on the production, multiplication marketing and distribution of high quality seed of suited varieties. The need to expand this work was stressed.
6. The Committee noted with satisfaction the efforts made to develop the collection and introduction of different food crop species and cultivars in various countries. It also pointed out the importance of the Seed and Propagating Material Exchange Service and in this connection, the necessity to avoid the introduction of pest and diseases.
7. The importance of tuber and root crops as main sources of food for larger areas of the world was emphasized by the Committee, which proposed that more attention should be paid to the improvement of these crops and their storage. With regard to potatoes, the Committee approved of the work done to provide member countries with new germ plasm from various sources.
8. The delegates appreciated the efforts of the Branch to consider problems of crop diversification, rotation and inter-cropping and green manure as an important part of the overall program of improvement of agricultural production.
9. The Committee approved the proposed expansion of the work on grain legumes or pulses to increase protein food for human consumption and stock feed. This was felt to be necessary as very little work had been done in this field by the Branch because of the lack of a specialist in this important subject at Headquarters.
10. It was noted with satisfaction that the Branch was ready to cooperate with different agencies involved in bilateral assistance programs for grain legumes and cereal improvement.
11. The Committee was pleased to note the efforts made to provide training for technicians on different aspects of food-crop production and the continuation of these efforts was highly recommended. The delegates commended the over-all program of work and the priorities given to various activities according to their economic importance in different areas. The interest of Latin America in the work of the International Rice Commission was mentioned.
Fruit and vegetable crops
12. The Committee noted with satisfaction that provision was made in the Program of Work and Budget for the establishment of a Fruit and Vegetable Crops Branch, as recommended by the Eleventh Session of the Conference. It expressed unanimous approval of the program of work and the majority of delegates supported the staffing of the Branch proposed.
13. The Committee commended the work undertaken for the promotion of better fruit and vegetable production and stressed the need for strengthening activities in vegetable breeding, temperate, tropical and subtropical fruit improvement and early vegetable production. More attention should be given to the selection of indigenous vegetable species in tropical and subtropical areas and of vegetable varieties adapted to the humid tropics, to rootstock problems and to olive-grove rejuvenation.
14. Several delegates stressed the need for work in post-harvest physiology, preservation and other problems of fruits and vegetables, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries. Attention was drawn to the benefits which could be gained from the survey of local ecotypes of fruit and vegetables as genetic material for breeding purposes.
15. The Committee expressed appreciation of the work carried out on the exchange of seeds and propagation material of horticultural crops and supported the widening of this program, particularly as regards the exchange of cuttings, budwood, etc., of perennial crops.
16. The Committee strongly supported recommendations for the establishment of an FAO technical working party on horticultural production in the Near East and North Africa, and for a regional vegetable improvement and seed production project in the Near East on EPTA and other resources, along the same lines as the Wheat and Barley Improvement Project.
17. The Committee emphasized the importance of training personnel in horticulture, particularly in the Near East, Africa and Latin America, and supported a recommendation for assistance by FAO for the establishment of a permanent regional training center in horticultural techniques in the Near East. In this connection the Committee welcomed the proposal made by the delegate from Turkey that full use be made of the existing facilities in his country.
18. The Committee noted with satisfaction the progress and development of the work on school and community garden projects. It reaffirmed its interest in these activities as an effective means of improving the diet of rural communities.
19. Many delegates called attention to the need to develop horticultural crops in Africa and expressed the wish that FAO would stimulate local research through a regional horticulturist and promote better co-operation between national workers and FAO experts for the improvement of these crops.
20. The Committee, in expressing satisfaction with the preparation and issuance of the publications included in the program of work for 1964-65, suggested that attention should also be given to the preparation of a technical bulletin on off-season vegetable production, and another on soilless production.
Industrial crops
21. The Committee reviewed the activities of the Industrial Crops Branch, and expressed appreciation for the work done in assisting developing countries in the improvement of such important crops as cacao, coffee, tea, rubber, cotton, sugar cane, oil palm and coconut. Several delegates pointed out that such crops are of vital importance as a source of cash to producers and as a means, through exports, of obtaining essential foreign currency.
22. The Committee fully agreed with the policy of assisting governments in their endeavors to concentrate cultivation of industrial crops in the more ecologically favorable areas and in promoting crop diversification in marginal areas.
23. The Committee supported the work on the revision of existing collections of cacao, coffee and hevea species, types and cultivars, as well as on the exploration and introduction of wild types of these crops into the living collections of specialized research institutions for breeding purposes.
24. Delegates expressed satisfaction at the publication of the World cacao survey and hoped that similar publications concerning other crops such as coffee, rubber and coconut could be prepared.
25. In connection with coconut, the Committee took note of the work done for improvement of this extremely important crop. Satisfaction was expressed at the development of the Far East Regional Project on Coconut Production and Protection.
26. Several delegates pointed out the importance of selection work before the planting of perennial species and the advisability of strengthening and expanding the interchange of planting material as well as of pollen.
27. The Committee noted with satisfaction the close cooperation between the Branch and national and international organizations working on the improvement of coconut, rubber, cotton, cacao, coffee and oil palm. The Committee also appreciated the close co-operation with other segments of the Organization on the solution of the different problems of industrial crops.
28. Delegates stressed that the staff of the Branch is insufficient, considering its broad field of work and the economic importance of the crops involved.
Pasture and fodder crops
29. The Committee noted the essential role of the Pasture and Fodder Crops Branch in increasing animal production and in the general improvement of agriculture through the integration of pasture and livestock with crop farming. It endorsed the program of work for 1964-65 and agreed to the proposed addition of two Headquarters officers.
30. The Committee expressed much interest in the ecological and agro-climatological work being done and underlined its usefulness for defining problems, for planning land use and for orienting development programs within ecological regions. It was stressed that collaboration with research stations and other institutions should be further strengthened, useful agro-ecological studies carried out, and a methodology developed for improving and standardizing ecological studies. It was recommended that this activity should receive continuous support and be extended to new regions.
31. While noting with satisfaction that a manuscript on the management and improvement of semiarid grasslands was being prepared, the Committee recommended that the work on range management be strengthened, and observed that further publications in this speciality should be issued.
32. In view of the widespread grazing, agricultural and sociological problems associated with nomadism, the Committee suggested that FAO should consider the possibility of organizing a joint research project with Unesco and perhaps other United Nations agencies to study the problem systematically.
33. Considering the need for integration of livestock management with forage production from arable agricultural lands and range, the Committee noted with satisfaction the close collaboration between the Pasture and Fodder Crops Branch and the Divisions of Animal Production and Health, Land and Water Development, and Forestry and Forest Products.
34. The Committee pointed out the need for continued studies and exchange of information and planting material especially of drought-resistant species. Some delegates expressed concern at the degraded status of rangelands in their countries through overgrazing and stressed the importance of more work on grasses and shrubs for replanting, and for other studies on range improvement.
35. The Committee noted the role of forage crops in improving and stabilizing the production of marginal farmlands, in providing alternative sources of feed to ensure regular feeding of animals and setting up reserves each year against droughts and dry seasons. It requested that more work be done on cultivated forages. The importance of further studies on the forage value of native species and their possible use in cultivated pastures was mentioned.
36. The Committee regretted that more work was not being done in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia and recommended that FAO action there be strengthened through technical meetings, training courses, or seminars, with a view to setting up working parties on pasture and fodder crops. Establishment of regional posts should also be given due consideration. The need for intensification of training in pasture and fodder crops at various levels and in all regions was again pointed out by the Committee.
Plant protection
37. The Committee noted with satisfaction the activities of the Crop Protection Branch and felt that its further strengthening was necessary to provide effective assistance to governments in order to reduce losses of agricultural products and so increase output.
38. The Committee recognized the need for furthering international cooperation in plant protection, particularly plant quarantine, on a regional basis, and agreed that more emphasis be placed on the formation and strengthening of regional plant protection organizations within the framework of the international Plant Protection Convention. The Committee therefore urged FAO to take steps to establish the Near East Plant Protection Commission as authorized by the Eleventh Session of the Conference.
39. The Committee took note that many member countries had not as yet become active parties to the International Plant Protection Convention and urged them to take action in this regard.
40. It was noted with satisfaction that action had been initiated to develop a regional plant protection agency for South America and it was recommended that to accelerate progress, when preparing the 1966-67 Program of Work and Budget, high priority be given to a regional plant protection post in this area.
41. The Committee learned with satisfaction that, partially as a result of concerted international action encouraged by FAO, no invasions of gregarious desert locust populations had been reported during recent months.
42. The Committee also noted with satisfaction the entry into force in June 1963 of a Relationship Agreement between FAO and the Desert Locust Control Organization for Eastern Africa (DLCO for EA) to solve the most pressing problems and as an interim measure prior to bringing DLCO for EA within the framework of FAO, as recommended by the Fortieth Session of the Council. In this regard, the Committee urged the Director-General to take action to finalize this process, in the interests of strengthening desert locust control in Eastern Africa.
43. The Committee fully supported the suggestions of the Committee on Constitutional and Legal Matters for an agreement for the establishment of a regional commission for desert locust control in Asia. It strongly urged the Organization and member countries concerned to take the necessary action to bring this commission into being as soon as possible.
44. Having taken note of the progress achieved during the preceding years in promoting international action to control the desert locust, the Committee expressed the hope that FAO would continue this work in full integration with other crop protection activities. The Committee noted with satisfaction the excellent collaboration between the Organization and the Anti-Locust Research Centre, London.
45. It was regretted that no provision was made in the program for 1964-65 for work on the control of quelea-quelea, the weaverbird and other crop-eating birds, and water hyacinth in Africa. The Committee requested that the Director-General give high priority to these important problems, and initiate a regional program under EPTA, FFHC or UNSF to develop and implement control measures as recommended by the Eleventh Session of the Conference.
46. It was noted with satisfaction that, in keeping with the recommendation of the Eleventh Session of the Conference FAO had established a Committee on Pesticides in Agriculture and three ad hoc working parties thereunder dealing with pesticide residues, pest resistance to pesticides and official control of pesticides.
47. The Committee stressed the importance of continuing the work on pesticides, in collaboration with WHO and other international agencies in order to provide guidance to Member Governments. It urged that provision be made in the 1964-1965 Program of Work and Budget for the post of pesticide information officer, recommended by the Eleventh Session of the Conference.
48. The Committee, recognizing the great losses of agricultural products sustained in transit and storage, strongly supported the expansion of work on the control of pests in stored products. It recommended that the initial work be undertaken in humid tropics.
49. The Committee appreciated the difficulty of immediately implementing all the plant protection recommendations of the Eleventh Session of the Conference and urged that provision be made as soon as possible to establish some of the requested posts, especially those concerning nematology and weed control.
50. In view of recent advances in plant protection sciences, the Committee felt that special attention should be given to an integrated approach for the control of plant pests by chemical, physical, biological and agronomic means. It was suggested that work in this direction should be stressed in the ensuing biennium and in the long-term program of the Branch.
51. It was noted with satisfaction that sunn pest control had been strengthened by the establishment of the FAO Committee on the Control of the Sunn Pest of Cereals, as recommended by the Eleventh Session of the Conference. The Committee was also pleased to note that the documentation and information service set up by FAO in co-operation with the entomological services of the Pasteur Institute of Paris would continue.
52. The Committee stressed the importance of an efficient reporting and forecasting disease service and suggested that the Branch take the lead in an attempt to co-ordinate the efforts of existing national and international organizations dealing with this subject.
53. It was pointed out that there was need for an emergency fund for the control of sudden outbreaks of plant diseases and pests of major importance.
PART II. BROAD CONCLUSIONS
Past activities
54. The Committee expressed its approval of the Division's activities in 1962-63 and commended the quality and quantity of the work done.
55. In the light of its review of these activities, the Committee stressed the need to expand or strengthen certain work in order to meet the many new problems faced by developing countries. It was recognized that with the limited resources available it would still be necessary to continue identifying priority fields in which to concentrate the efforts of the Division. It was noted that certain projects, if they are to be carried out satisfactorily, require to be on a long-term basis.
Program of work for the ensuing biennium
56. It was noted with satisfaction that, through reorganization of the Division and increase in its personnel, it would be possible to expand and strengthen activities on problems of specific crops of economic importance as well as on agro-ecology, genetical improvement of crops, diversification, rotation and inter-cropping, plant exploration and introduction, seed multiplication, certification and exchange, control of plant pests and diseases, safe and efficient use of pesticides, plant quarantine, crop preservation, and reduction of losses in stored products.
57. It was also noted with pleasure that appropriate liaison would continue with other FAO Divisions and other organizations, international and national.
Trends for the future
58. The Committee agreed with the lines of activity proposed for the Division, which could be considered as future trends for its work. Stress would therefore continue to be placed on the implementation of those activities as indicated in the program of work.
PART III. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSION II
Creation of new commission, committee or working part
59. The Committee submitted the following recommendations:
(b) The organization of a regional commission to be known as The Near East Plant Protection Commission to advise the Organization and member countries on matters related to plant protection in the region. The Committee noted that the proposed Program of Work and Budget for 1964-65 included provision for a technical meeting in this field in the Near East.
Recommendations implying formal action by Member Governments
60.
(b) The Committee recommended that all member countries in Latin America interested in rice production should take action to join the International Rice Commission.
Recommendations to the Director-General
61. The Committee recommended that the Director-General should in future programs strengthen and develop the work in the following fields:
(b) seed production and certification;
(c) plant exploration and introduction of new types of cultivated plants;
(d) production of grain legumes;
(e) improvement of fruit and vegetable crops, production of early vegetables, particularly through the establishment of a regional vegetable improvement and seed production project in the Near East and also permanent training and research centers on horticultural techniques;
(f) pasture and fodder crops resources in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America through the organization of technical meetings, training courses and seminars;
(g) the control of storage pests in the humid tropics through more training courses and demonstration centers; the control of crop-eating birds, mainly quelea-quelea and weaverbirds through a regional project in Africa, the control of water hyacinths (Eichhornia crassipes) through a regional project in Africa.
62. The Committee also recommended bringing the Desert Locust Control Organization for East Africa within the framework of FAO.
63. The Committee proposed that the Director-General study the possibility of setting up the following posts in future programs:
(b) in Latin America:
Crop protection.
Recommendations affecting the program of work and budget for 1964-65
64. The Committee recommended that the Director-General establish (a) a pesticide information post at Headquarters as recommended by the Eleventh Session of the Conference, (b) a regional horticulturist post for Africa.
Atomic energy
1. The Technical Committee reviewed the FAO program of work in atomic energy conducted by the Atomic Energy Branch in cooperation with the six Technical Divisions and various other operational units within the Organization, including the Agricultural Services, Agricultural Education and Extension and Legislation Research Branches.
2. The Committee noted the wide scope of the program, which included the use of isotopes and radiation in soil science, hydrology, crop and animal protection and production, crop improvement, food irradiation, and the disinfestation of stored foods, and action concerned with the protection of food and agriculture from radioactive contamination. The Committee commended the manner in which the program had been developed, notwithstanding the relatively limited staff and funds that had been available. In relation to food irradiation, the Committee emphasized the importance of wholesomeness studies and urged that FAO should continue to take the lead in developing international agreement on standards for the safety in use of irradiated foods.
3. The Committee emphasized that this is a program which is of interest to all Member Governments of FAO, including those of the more advanced countries as well as those in the developing regions of the world, and recognized that on a long-term basis there would inevitably be increasing calls from the agricultural services in all parts of the world for assistance from FAO in this rapidly developing field. Representatives of the developing countries indicated their particular interest in and expectations of the benefits to be derived from the purely peaceful application of atomic energy to human welfare and made a special plea for consideration of their interests in relation to the approval of the Program and Budget for the forthcoming biennium now before the Conference.
4. The Committee, fully aware of the work of the Agricultural Unit of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and its Fellowship Program, unanimously endorsed the views of the Program Committee and the Council that FAO, as the United Nations agency concerned with agricultural research and development as a whole, should logically assume leading responsibility for the use of nuclear science techniques in applied research and development in agriculture, food, forestry and fisheries.
5. The Committee noted with appreciation the extensive coordination and co-operation that had been achieved internally within FAO and with several of the other international agencies concerned with the peaceful uses of atomic energy. With respect to IAEA, with its recognized responsibility for the basic aspects of atomic energy proper, including fundamental research relating to atomic energy and the development of new techniques, the Committee expressed the hope that co-operation and co-ordination could be further developed. The Committee therefore recommended that the Director-General again explore, as a matter of urgency, all possibilities of attaining the necessary degree of coordination with IAEA in the true sense of the word, whilst at the same time ensuring full recognition of the principle that FAO is the agency within the United Nations system mainly responsible for applied research and development in agriculture, food, forestry and fisheries. In this connection, as one of the possible solutions, there was wide support for the joint operating Division which had been proposed by FAO as a practical means of developing a single joint program for atomic energy in agriculture in the United Nations family, and within the framework of the general programs of advice and assistance in the development of agriculture for which FAO is responsible on the international level.
6. In approving the proposed program, the majority of delegates fully supported the additional professional post and the appropriate increase in operational funds requested by the Director-General, although a few delegates expressed reservations regarding the number of meetings scheduled or the need for the creation of the new post. One delegation having questioned whether that post was too highly graded, the Committee was reminded that, even at the level proposed by FAO, great difficulties had been encountered in recruiting specialists of the caliber and broad experience needed in this program. Some delegations expressed reservations as to whether the work in this field was of as high priority as that of some of the other basic programs, on the other hand many delegations emphasized the need for more training of country personnel through training courses, seminars, and the granting of long-term fellowships.
7. It was brought to the attention of the Committee that the reservations made by certain delegations regarding the requested budgetary increase could not easily be reconciled with the support given to the proposed program of work by many delegations and the unanimity of the Technical Committee in endorsing the views of the Program Committee and the Council that FAO. should have leading responsibility for the application of nuclear science techniques in fields that are unquestionably within the terms of reference of FAO, In addition the fact that the same kind of food and agricultural activities are approved for a nonagricultural agency whose governing bodies include little if any agricultural representation raises an important problem to which governments should give their full attention with regard to policy affecting the allocation of responsibility for operations and co-ordination in agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry, and the need to ensure appropriate technical control and supervision of the expenditure of public monies voted for research and development in these fields.
8. The Committee was informed that a considerable part of the increase in operational funds requested was for training courses, which it regarded as of high priority, and it noted that the number of meetings, training courses, seminars, and expert committees proposed could not be regarded as excessive in the light of the many technical fields of interest concerned. It being recognized, in addition, that this is a developing science the increasing number of requests to FAO, for assistance and action in this field cannot be satisfied without corresponding increases in financial resources. If those requests are to be met, and FAO. is to maintain the leading responsibility that its advisory and governing bodies consider appropriate, the additional staff and budgetary resources requested are essential.
RECOMMENDATION TO THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL
9. The Committee recommended that the Director-General again explore, as a matter of urgency, all possibilities of attaining the necessary degree of co-ordination with IAEA in the true sense of the word, whilst at the same time ensuring full recognition of the principle that FAO, is the agency within the United Nations system mainly responsible for applied research and development in agriculture, food, forestry and fisheries.
Advisory groups and panels of experts
1. The Committee reviewed the question of advisory groups expert panels and similar bodies as requested by the Council. Reference was to the views expressed on this subject by the Eleventh Session of the Conference, by the Program Committee (CL 40/2) and by the Council (CL 40/15). The Committee noted also that the Council felt that the question was extremely important and justified detailed study by the Technical Committees of the Conference whose views on the technical aspects of the matter would provide guidance for the future.
2. The Committee stressed the importance of advisory groups, panels and similar bodies as valuable instruments in helping the Organization to attain its objectives. It considered that greater use should be made of the services of experts from developing countries who could provide reliable information on subjects of local interest. The Committee stressed that the panel approach should be confined to subject matter of sufficient importance to justify it. The importance and value of continuing contacts and consultation with research institutes and similar bodies the world over were emphasized.
3. The Committee wished to highlight the fact that expert panels deal solely with technical matters and are not concerned with policy questions or with programing which are the responsibilities of commissions and committees composed of government representatives. The panel system enables FAO. to take advantage of the services of nongovernmental specialists (subject to government approval) who for the most part are of international repute. The differences in the financing of the operations of intergovernmental committees and of panels of experts were considered and it was appreciated that where governments nominate representatives, they are responsible for the costs, and that, where FAO. invites individuals to attend meetings of panel members, the cost is borne by the Organization. In this connection, it was indicated that it is often possible to arrange meetings of panel members at times when they are attending other meetings in their field of competence: e.g. the meeting of the FAO, Panel of Blood Group Scientists held in The Hague from 9 to 11 September 1963, almost all members of which were present at the International Genetics Congress which took place in the same city from 2 to 10 September, with the result that the cost to FAO. was greatly reduced.
4. While endorsing the use of the experts of the panels, the Committee stressed the need for contacts between such experts, FAO. appropriate institutions and other bodies for further information, and the need to inform scientific bodies and organizations well in advance of a meeting of members of a panel, so that they can be given an opportunity to contribute through the Divisions of FAO, to such meetings.
5. The Committee referred to paragraphs 3 to 7 inclusive of Part I (Animal production and health) of its report and considered that the statements contained therein applied to the expert panels and committees of all the Technical Divisions. It was noted that the Council would not be reporting on this subject to the Conference at its Twelfth Session and that Member Nations wishing to raise additional points could submit their comments to the Director-General, who would then report through the Council to the Program Committee.
ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
OFFICERS
Chairman
N. Koffsky (U.S.A.)
Vice-Chairman
Ahmed Hamed El-Nasharty (United Arab Republic)
Rapporteurs
Rural institutions
K.F. Svärdstrom (Sweden)
Commodities
J. Flere (Yugoslavia)
Economic analysis
G.E.O. Okiy (Nigeria)
Statistics
A. Demere (Ethiopia)
Department of Economic and Social Affairs
GENERAL
1. The Committee noted that new aspects of economic and social problems had appeared in the recent past and might appear again in the near future, and that the preoccupations of governments change accordingly. The Department of Economic and Social Affairs would have to follow these developments closely, particularly in the light of the conclusions and recommendations of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. In this connection, some delegations expressed the opinion that the over-all structure of the Department should be examined thoroughly in the course of the ensuing biennium.
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL
Regional economists
2. The Committee supported the creation of two new posts for economists in the Joint Agricultural Divisions of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa and of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East.
3. The establishment of these posts reflected the real needs of the countries in these two regions whose economies were depending on agriculture to an extent which made additional assistance by regional economic staff a necessity.
4. Some delegations expressed the opinion that the establishment of the proposed new posts should be postponed until the outcome of the Program and Finance Committees' study on regional staffing was known.
Director for Special Studies
5. The Committee endorsed the action taken by the Director-General in strengthening work on policy matters through the establishment of a new post of Director for Special Studies. The Committee recommended that the position would be reviewed again at the next session of the Conference.
6. The Committee was impressed with the excellence and importance of the work done by the Director for Special Studies especially in relation to the preparations for the impending United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and saw an important field of work for the next two years. The Director should be able to call on the staff of the Department as a whole.
7. The Committee approved the program of work for the next biennium, as outlined in documents C 63/EC/8-C63/EC/10.
Commodities
PART I. GENERAL SURVEY
Activities in 1962-63
1. The Technical Committee commended the Commodities Division on the valuable work it had accomplished in 1962-63. The Division's increased workload in this biennium reflected its unique position as the sole international unit taking an over-all view of the economic problems of agriculture on a commodity-by-commodity basis, and was the result of the increased interest of governments in seeking international solutions to commodity problems. Apart from servicing the regular sessions of the Committee on Commodity Problems (CCP) and its commodity study groups, and several ad hoc meetings, the Division participated in the negotiating conferences for coffee cocoa, sugar and olive oil, in the specialized discussions of independent commodity councils, the United Nations Commissions, and GATT, and was responsible for much of FAO's preparatory work for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.
2. These intergovernmental consultations had largely dictated the emphasis placed on various parts of the Division's program in 1962-63, but all the Branches had continued their basic work of commodity reporting and market intelligence, analysis of the outlook for production, consumption and international trade, consideration of stabilization problems, and the study of national and regional policies and their repercussions on world commodity markets.
3. Many major commodity studies were carried out which governments found useful in forming their national policies and in surveying international trade outlook for important agricultural products. Particular mention was made of commodity bulletins prepared on coarse grains, dairy products, and rice as well as the annual FAO commodity review and the special study on agricultural projections for 1970. This latter study, which was the first of its kind carried out on a world-wide scale by an international organization, enabled (CCP) to examine the long-term trade outlook for agricultural commodities in a joint session with the United Nations Commission on International Commodity Trade. The Committee was glad to note that a comprehensive study on meat was nearing completion and would be published in 1964. Also, with the aid of comprehensive economic surveys, ad hoc meetings called by (CCP) had thoroughly examined the problems affecting jute, hard fibers, and dairy products. (CCP) had continued to review surplus questions mainly through the regular meetings of its Consultative Subcommittee on Surplus Disposal in Washington, which now had the additional function of ensuring that the projects of the World Food Program (WFP) were in accordance with the FAO Principles of Surplus Disposal.
4. It was noted with satisfaction that the (CCP) study groups, while continuing their work of research and collection of data, were dealing increasingly with the more fundamental international policy problems affecting their commodities. Thus, the efforts of the Cocoa Study Group had culminated in this biennium in the submission of a draft International Cocoa Agreement to a negotiating conference, while the Group on Grains and the Group on Coconut and Coconut Products had both initiated studies as an approach to the consideration of international arrangements applicable to these commodities. The Committee also expressed its interest in the work done for the (CCP) Groups on Rice and Citrus Fruit, and it was noted that, on the recommendation of a special meeting of interested governments, (CCP) had now established a Group on Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibers.
5. While FAO study groups play a valuable role in international consultations, it was desirable that proliferation of such groups should be avoided. In this respect, it noted that (CCP) was applying the criteria it had laid down for the establishment and termination of such groups. Thus, after careful consideration of the request of the Organization of American States and the FAO Regional Conference for Latin America to set up immediately a study group on bananas, CCP had concluded that further consultations and studies would be advisable before a decision was taken. It had decided that groups on hard fibers and on tea were not at present warranted. (CCP) also had reviewed in detail the activities and future plans of all its existing study groups.
6. The Committee noted that requests for advice and joint work with other intergovernmental bodies had become more prominent. Apart from the Joint Session of (CCP) and the Commission on International Commodity Trade (CICT) staff of the Division had been seconded to assist in the conduct of the United Nations conferences on cocoa, coffee and olive oil, and assistance had also been given to GATT, particularly in its work on tropical commodities and cereals. Collaboration with the United Nations regional commissions continued and included the servicing of the Economic Commission for Africa's Meeting on Commodity Stabilization in 1962, as well as participation in training centers on agricultural programing. Considerable assistance had been extended to the World Food Program in its formative stages and the Division continued to give a great deal of specialized advice on World Food Program projects and studies.
Program of work for 1964-65
7. The main emphasis in the proposed expansion of the Division's program for 1964-65 was to be laid on commodity policy and on long-term trend studies. Both lines of activities formed an essential part of FAO's work on economic development planning and international trade problems. As many delegates emphasized, the setting of the Division's program was dominated by the unfavorable trends in most international agricultural commodity prices. The adverse effect on export earnings was noted. Particular attention was drawn to the contrast between the slow growth of the export earnings of developing countries and other countries which were highly dependent on agricultural trade, and their rapidly expanding import needs for capital goods for economic development. This situation clearly called for international means to counteract the deterioration of the terms of trade and to expand the foreign exchange earnings of developing countries.
8. In this connection the Committee attached the greatest importance to the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Trade and Development: it discussed the possibility of an FAO Conference resolution on this issue, noting that Commission I would be dealing with the broad policy aspects of the problem, it felt that the FAO Conference should express its full support for the aims of the United Nations Conference; and it urged that the Director-General should during the coming months give the highest priority to preparatory work for the United Nations Conference.
9. The Committee therefore warmly approved the steps taken by the Director-General to provide all possible assistance in preparing for the United Nations Conference. The Committee believed that the broad nature of the problem was well known, and that the main task was to assess the various policy measures leading to action which would solve these problems. It was therefore glad that the principal study by the Division (to be published as a special issue of the FAO commodity review in 1964) would analyze the practical steps, on a general and a commodity-by-commodity basis, which might be taken to expand commodity export earnings, so as to establish more favorable conditions for accelerating economic growth. The Committee also recommended that attention should be given to the economic problems associated with the processing of raw materials and agricultural products in primary-producing countries, particularly with regard to their effects on national income and export earnings. It was also essential that the FAO studies should set forth in specific terms to the United Nations Conference the agricultural and food problems which arise from the economic and social structure of agriculture.
10. Separate studies on the economic effects of synthetics on primary products, on surplus questions, and on the effects of European integration policies on commodity markets were being prepared by the Division for the United Nations Conference. The delegates of European Economic Community (EEC) member countries pointed out that the EEC study should be confined to established policies and regulations. In their opinion FAO as an international organization should not publish or distribute analytical studies or comments on proposals made within the Community or within any national government. Some other delegates suggested that proposals for regional measures should continue to be considered by FAO bodies and units.
11. In its future work on projections, the Division intended to study more thoroughly the factors influencing production. In order to make the studies a more useful aid to policy formulation an attempt would be made to assess the impact of possible changes in policies and prices on supplies, demand and trade. It was also planned to prepare new projections to 1975. The Committee appreciated that this work would become increasingly more complex, and it stressed the importance of maintaining the high quality of the studies, which must depend partly on improvements in the basic economic data, especially in developing countries. The continued cooperation of all countries, therefore, was essential, and the Committee welcomed proposals to hold further regional meetings on projections, similar to that already held in New Delhi, which would advance the research work being undertaken in developing regions. While recognizing the limitations of projections, the Committee considered that they provided a valuable tool for development planning and noted that an increasing number of requests for assistance in this field had been received.
12. In this and other work on commodities, the Committee also drew attention to the importance of studying the economic interrelationships between competing products. It noted in this connection the special study being carried out on relationships between rice and other grains and root crops as a basis for the Joint Session of the Study Groups on Rice and Grains in 1964, as well as the work planned on fruit and on filled milk and margarine. It was also recommended that the work on grains utilization should be continued and that a report should be published on this subject.
13. The Committee noted the need to improve information on the utilization of agricultural raw materials by major end uses so as to provide a firmer basis for analyzing substitution problems and making demand projections. The Committee recommended that the Division should act as a clearing house for such information collected by specialized international bodies concerned with particular fibers or other materials, or by regional and national organizations.
14. Some delegates questioned whether high priority should be accorded to further work relating to the feasibility of international arrangements for coarse grains. The Committee noted, however that intergovernmental discussions were at present proceeding in GATT regarding international action on all grains, including coarse grains, and that the Director-General had been specifically requested to collaborate in this work.
15. At the present stage, certain delegates did not consider that priority should be given to work on pulses and dried fruits. Nevertheless, since a number of enquiries had been made by member countries, notably in Africa, the Committee as a whole believed that the Division might, within its present resources, furnish the basic data required by these countries.
16. With regard to documents in general, the Committee commended the action taken by the secretariat to prepare more concise and fewer working papers for (CCP) and other meetings, as well as the improvement in the timeliness and dispatch of these documents to governments. It noted that although there was an increase in the proposed allocation for documents in 1964 65, the original appropriation in 1962-63 had, in fact, proved inadequate in view of the increasing number of meetings and the many requests for publications and other papers. The Committee stressed the need for continued economy in documents, and was glad to note that steps had already been taken to economize in printing expenditure by resorting to internal offset processing for most commodity publications.
17. To enable the Division to carry out effectively the proposed program of work, and especially in two priority fields (viz., general commodity policy and international trade problems, and assistance in development planning through commodity projections), the Director-General proposed a number of additional posts as well as the raising of the Commodity Policy Section to Branch status. Although there were general expressions of support for the program as a whole, some delegates questioned whether all the proposed new posts were fully justified.
18. As regards the estimated cost of meetings in 1964-65, it was explained that the proposed budget was only moderately higher than actual expenditure in 1962-63, and that the increase mainly reflected the planned regional meetings on projections. It was recognized that the actual number of commodity meetings would depend on the decisions of (CCP) and its groups. Some delegates, nevertheless, maintained that the proposed allocation for meetings appeared to be excessive.
PART II. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS
Past activities
19. The Committee approved the work of the Division during the 1962-63 biennium. Specialized commodity research was a necessary foundation for analysis both of the current market position and of the longer-range trade outlook. At the same time, delegates welcomed the emphasis being placed on work on the immediate economic problems facing international trade in agricultural commodities. The Committee stressed the importance of considering trade policies as instruments for economic development, and of assessing all these issues within a dynamic, rather than a static, economic framework. As a result, the Division's studies were becoming increasingly valuable to governments and to other international organizations in dealing with concrete policy issues.
Program of work for 1964-65
20. The Committee generally supported the proposed program of work, but some delegates indicated certain areas where they believed that increases should be limited.
21. All Branches of the Division were being mobilized to contribute to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, which was considered of very great importance. The high quality of the commodities work must be maintained and dispersal of effort over too broad a field should be avoided. The proposed strengthening of work on commodity policy and projections was generally endorsed.
PART III. RECOMMENDATION FOR COMMISSION I
22. The Committee recommended that the deterioration of terms of trade be thoroughly examined, taking account of the possibilities of stabilizing prices of agricultural commodities at remunerative levels, especially those commodities which contribute to the economic and social progress of developing countries, and that steps be taken to consider the situation at the international level.
Recommendations for Commission II
23. The Committee recommended that the Director-General be requested to give:
(b) greater attention to the economic aspects of the growth of processing industries in the developing countries, and their impact on patterns of world trade; and
(c) greater assistance to developing countries in the formulation, of their commodity projections, with a view to aiding them in the preparation of their plans for agricultural development.
Economic analysis
PART I. COMPREHENSIVE SURVEY
Introduction
1. The Committee expressed satisfaction with the high quality of the work of the Economic Analysis Division, and commended it for adapting its program of work to keep pace with the needs of the time. This was evident in the increasing orientation of the work toward agricultural development and planning, which had now penetrated the life of the developing countries, and in the increasing activities in marketing. The greater provision of training facilities in these fields was welcomed.
2. The growth of the Division's operational responsibilities was noted. This was in accord with the needs of the developing countries. At the same time the Committee stressed the necessity of maintaining a balance between operational work and analytical work and basic studies. Without this the effectiveness of the field work and also the general usefulness of the Division's activities to member countries could be impaired.
3. The Committee was in general accord with the proposed program for 1964-65. In reply to questions on the substantial increases shown for meetings, consultants and travel, the Committee was informed that some of this increase reflected a change in budgeting procedure while the rest represented activities under the major expansions proposed by the Director-General Questions raised on some of the additional posts proposed are noted below.
Current biennium
4. The Committee nosed that there had been a considerable increase in requests from governments for assistance in agricultural development and planning. In addition to assistance under the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance (EPTA) and the Special Fund, provision had been made to give assistance in this field at short notice by establishing a small force of senior planning economists under Regular Program Technical Assistance, together with a planning adviser at the Near East Regional Office. The great increase in training activities in development and planning, both in regional training centers and meetings as at Cairo and Tunis, and also in the special five-months' course organized in The Hague and Rome in 1963, was commended by the Committee as helping to meet the urgent need for trained personnel. It was stressed that national plans could only be formulated by each government in the light of the particular situation and problems of the country, and that national agricultural plans should be closely integrated with plans for the development of the economy as a whole. The country surveys and studies that had been carried out, e.g. the study of Japanese agriculture, were of considerable value in indicating measures for agricultural development which had proved successful.
5. The Committee welcomed the increasing orientation of The state of food and agriculture toward agricultural development. The continuing high quality of this publication was noted: the special chapters had provided much useful information and analysis. The current year's chapter on factors influencing agricultural productivity was particularly commended. The Committee took note that an additional staff member had been requested with a view to maintaining the quality of this publication.
6. The emphasis increasingly given by the Division to the improvement of agricultural marketing was strongly welcomed by the Committee. The increased provision of expert advisers at the request of countries, the organization of more international and national training centers, and the establishment of permanent marketing institutes with the help of the Special Fund were all valuable developments. The Division's marketing guides were found by many developing countries to be very useful, and had been widely translated and reprinted. It was noted with interest that further guides on marketing boards and on hides and skins would be published in 1964.
7. The analysis of trade developments in The state of food and agriculture provided information of particular help to both developed and developing countries, especially those which were heavily dependent on agricultural exports. The work undertaken on price policies and also the centers on agricultural credit and financing carried out in cooperation with Rural Institutions and Services Division were widely appreciated. Many delegations spoke favorably of the assistance afforded to them by the regional economists and the joint agricultural divisions established with the United Nations regional commissions.
Contents
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