1. What is the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS)?

The SPFS is FAO's flagship initiative to halve the number of hungry in the world by 2015. Currently there are over 800 million food insecure people in the world. Of these, 86% live in the 106 countries participating in the SPFS.

2. What is the difference between the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS), a National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) and a Regional Programme for Food Security (RPFS)?

In its simplest sense, the SPFS is FAO's programme for marketing food security initiatives among developing countries and donor nations. Within the SPFS framework, there are national and regional Programmes.

A National Programme for Food Security (NPFS) is a country-driven solution to eradicating hunger within the local population. FAO works with a national government to identify ways of removing barriers to food access and helps to facilitate access to donor resources that will fund the projects. FAO also assists with the implementation and kick-off phases.

Regional Programmes for Food Security (RPFS) are developed with Regional Economic Organizations (REO) to boost regional integration among neighbouring developing countries so that the impact of National Programmes is maximized. These Programmes work in 3 key areas:

1. structural reforms and policy harmonization;
2. transboundary issues especially those related to trade and food safety; and
3. support to NPFS.

3. What is meant by food security?

Food security exists when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food for a healthy and active life (World Food Summit Plan of Action).

This involves 4 conditions:

1. adequacy of food supply or availability;
2. stability of supply, without fluctuations or shortages from season to season or from year to year;
3. accessibility to food or affordability; and
4. quality and safety of food.

4. How does the SPFS differ from other programmes in food security?

The SPFS applies a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to all aspects of food security, rather than emphasizing individual technologies as has occurred in the past. It is owned, formulated and supported by the relative government, mostly using national expertise. The Programme's design is pragmatic, with a wide range of options and priorities defined by farmers and other stakeholders. The Programme is a continual learning process, which evolves and adjusts according to the practical knowledge and experience acquired in the field.

5. Who owns the food security Programme?

The Programme is owned nationally. It is designed, planned and implemented by participating national governments and their rural communities, with FAO's technical assistance when needed. As a result, Programme activities are consistent with national development policies, programmes and projects, including The World Bank’s Poverty Reduction Strategies and national initiatives to attain the UN Millennium Development Goals.

6. How many countries have adopted the Programme?

To date 106 countries have adopted the SPFS. Approximately US$800 million has been raised for investment in SPFS projects.

7. Is the Programme only for Low-Income Food-Deficit Countries (LIFDCs)?

The SPFS was designed and approved to focus on LIFDCs – this is where the majority of chronically undernourished people live. However, other countries are not excluded from participating. For example Brazil, which is not an LIFDC, actively participates in SPFS initiatives. The allocation of funds for the SPFS in FAO's Regular Programme is earmarked solely for LIFDCs. FAO Member Nations may benefit from FAO's technical assistance under the SPFS, provided other funding sources are found.

8. Is the SPFS production-enhancing aspect implemented in rural areas only?

No, urban and peri-urban agriculture are also included. These areas have expanded rapidly in many developing countries and contribute significantly to feeding cities and making affordable fresh food available to the urban poor.

The SPFS offers advantages and opportunities, such as using under-utilized lands, treated wastewater, recycled waste and other under-utilized resources. It is also a source of employment and income for women and for the less endowed section of the urban population.

9. Who funds the Programmes?

The Programme is funded by:

1. FAO's Regular Programme budget, which gives money to the SPFS for assistance in formulating its various phases and direct support to activities in the field (only in Low-Income Food Deficit Countries). Support includes equipment, materials, supplies and operational funds. In some cases, the countries have also requested resources from FAO's grant-making unit, the Technical Cooperation Programme, which gives FAO project grants for some components of the Programme;
2. participating countries themselves e.g. through Unilateral Trust Funds (UTF); and
3. other funding sources such as multilateral and bilateral donors and international financial institutions. Over 60% of the funds committed so far are from the budgets of participating developing countries.

10. How can I contact the SPFS?

See the Contact SPFS page