FAO - Research and Extension | Technical Assistance

Normative Framework
FAO

FAO Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)

The Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP) supports the FAO Member Nations through small projects which address specific problems in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors. The aim of a TCP project is to produce tangible and immediate results in the battle against hunger and to catalyse long-term changes.

Technical Cooperation Programme: guidelines

TCP provides technical inputs in the form of short-term expert and consultant services, short-term and practically oriented training activities, equipment and supplies deemed essential for project activities (not exceeding 50 percent of the total project budget, except in the case of emergency projects). TCP projects may include subcontracts to institutions for technical services.

Policy and Operational Framework of the Technical Cooperation Programme

The TCP responds to high priority demands of requesting governments, which are expected to participate fully in project execution, through the involvement of national institutions, personnel and resources, as well as to assume responsibility for follow-up action for ensuring the sustainability of activities after FAO support has been concluded.

The Government Cooperative Programme (GCP)

The Government Cooperative Programme (GCP) is among the largest of the FAO trust fund programmes, with a recent approval level of US$ 135 million in 2004 (compared to US$ 1.5 million in 1970). GCP assistance is usually provided by a developed country and it is directed at an individual recipient country, a group of countries within the same region (a regional project) or a group of countries in different regions (an interregional project).

Unilateral Trust Funds (UTF)

Technical assistance projects financed by the recipient countries themselves from their own national resources or from loans, credits and grants made by International Financing Institutions, are called Unilateral Trust Funds (UTF).

TOP Project Profiles
FAO

Strengthening of National Agricultural Research

The general goal of this type of project is to improve the quality of Research services provided to farmers so as to assist the farming community, in the medium and long term, improve their production systems through enhancing the productivity of horticultural crop and animal production, integrate agro-forestry techniques which can provide valuable products, and introduce techniques that contribute to achieve food security and a general improvement of the standard of living in the rural areas.

Strengthening the National Capacity in Biotechnology and Biosafety

The objective of these projects is to provide the country with the legal and technical instruments needed to promote a safe introduction of appropriate biotechnologies in order to improve agricultural production and food security.

Support for the formulation of a national research policy for the application of agricultural biotechnology

The main goal of this type of projects is to support the safe and sustainable application of biotechnology to foster the agricultural development and optimize the production of the agricultural sector. The specific objectives are: (i) assessment of the current situation of the application of biotechnology at national level; (ii) identification of needs and set up of priorities for sustainable rural development and food security; (iii) formulation of a national strategy for biotechnology development in the country; (iv) prepare a plan of implementation.

Strengthening of national research and technology transfer programmes

The general goal of this kind of projects is to contribute to the improvement of the national agricultural production and food security through the establishment of a centre of technology with services and components of information and communication.

Scientific information systems in support of food security

The main objective of this type of projects is to establish and strengthen an information system to document and systematize technologies in support of the sustainable production of food in areas vulnerable to food insecurity.

Strengthening information and communication linkages between agricultural research and extension

The immediate objective is to develop the necessary institutional structures and processes, and build capacities, to improve communication and exchange of information between agricultural research and extension service providers.

Establishment of a Virtual Extension, Research and Communication Network (VERCON)

Internet is a potentially powerful tool for improving communication between research, extension and farmers. The Virtual Extension, Research and Communication Network (VERCON) employs this potential to establish and strengthen linkages among the human and institutional elements. It enhances two-way communication establishing links between geographically dispersed people and collects processes and rapidly disperses information.

TOP Examples of Projects
FAO

The Virtual Extension and Research Communication Network of Egypt

The overall goal of VERCON is to improve, through strengthened research-extension linkages, the agricultural advisory services provided to Egyptian farmers and in particular to resource poor farmers in order to increase production in food and agriculture with the goal of raising farm incomes.

The Virtual Extension and Research Communication Network of Costa Rica: Platicar

The Platform of technology, information and communication for agriculture and rural areas of Costa Rica has been created for producers, extension agents and researchers.

Asian Bio-Net

The project was formulated to assist countries in the region in safe harnessing of the benefits of biotechnology in accordance with relevant global agreements on the subject. Furthermore, it is envisaged to establish and strengthen technical cooperation among and capacity building of Asian countries to ensure safety in the introduction and use of genetically modified crops, based on transparent and science�based approaches. This includes: development and harmonization of an appropriate regulatory framework to deal with biosafety concerns relating to GM crops; and the collection, analysis, dissemination and exchange of information on biotechnology and GM-related biosafety standards through inventories, databases and decision-support systems.

Scientific and Technical information in support of the Special Programme for Food Security in Honduras

This project has used at field level the to document proven and successful technologies in support of the Special Programme for Food Security in Honduras and in support of the scale-up process. It also provides methodologies, support actions and experiences, market related information and links to other national networks.

Promotions of Small Scale Poultry Farming and Aquaculture for Food Security

The overall objective of the project was to increase income and food security and to improve access to a variety of local diets in Haiti. Integrated poultry and aquaculture production systems were promoted to increase local food production that is sustainable and economic.

Study and dissemination of good irrigation practicies in Western Africa

It shows that the identification and dissemination of good practices could improve irrigated scheme performances. However, even if technical progress is possible, the real lever is organizational change. Schemes where irrigating farmers adopt more of a professional approach along with the emergence of new private-service providers appear to be better organized and more productive.

Establishment of a virtual extension, research and communication network (VERCON) in Bhutan

The objective is to improve national agricultural advisory services by strengthening existing linkages between agricultural research and extension through the establishment of a VERCON system within the renewable natural resource sector.