Background

The People’s Republic of China has the largest population and the fastest-growing economy in the world. Socio-economic progress and political reform over the last three decades have helped to lift several hundred million people out of poverty. Progress is such that China has become a provider of South-South Cooperation to countries such as Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania and Nigeria. Nevertheless, substantial challenges remain. More than 204 million Chinese still survive on under USD 1 per day, often without access to clean water, arable land, or adequate health and education services. Two decades of phenomenal growth have taken a serious toll on both the natural resource base and the urban environment, while outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) since 2004 present a significant threat to farming livelihoods and human health.

One of the most pressing challenges is to overcome the impacts of the May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake. The 8.0 magnitude quake caused massive devastation across eight provinces of China and affected some 46 million people. Damage to rural production is estimated at USD 50 billion and includes widespread destruction of farmland and irrigation systems and 32 million livestock deaths. Despite a swift national response and considerable international support, needs remain high.

Furthermore, in early February 2009, northern China was hit by the worst drought in 50 years, affecting half of the winter wheat cropping area and leaving millions of people and livestock unable to access sufficient water. Upon the request of the Government of China, FAO fielded a rapid assessment mission to Shandong province to assess the damage caused by the drought and develop an Agriculture Sector Response Plan in close collaboration with the Government. The Plan calls for short- and medium-term interventions for drought impact mitigation over the next three years, totalling USD 7.5 million.

FAO’s emergency and rehabilitation role in China

FAO has been supporting the Government of China’s efforts to prevent and control HPAI since the first outbreaks of the disease in 2004. Ongoing projects endeavour to:

• build the capacity of central, regional and local veterinary services to deal effectively and efficiently with HPAI outbreaks;
• improve understanding of HPAI infection and disease distribution; and
• assist China in defining high risk areas for targeted control activities in order to minimize risk to human health.

In response to the Wenchuan earthquake, FAO has established an Emergency and Rehabilitation Coordination Unit in Chengdu, Sichuan province and mobilized USD 2.25 million to assist the Government of China in restoring agricultural livelihoods in five districts. In close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, FAO is implementing four earthquake recovery projects:

• In the most affected villages, key inputs to revive production of a “lead crop” are distributed to farming families. Activities are underway to boost production of market vegetables, garlic, potatoes, canola, tea, plums, pears and edible mushrooms.
• In severely affected areas with diverse input needs, FAO is piloting the voucher approach for farmers to procure inputs of their choice in local stores, thereby strengthening village-level agricultural input trade.
• Training in improved technical practices is conducted in all project areas.