The Policy Assistance Division (TCA) collects, analyses and disseminates information on country, regional and global developments in agriculture and synthesizes lessons of value to FAO Member Nations. On the basis of this it provides sound policy advice and capacity building to Member Nations in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of strategies, policies and programmes aimed at sustainable agricultural and rural development and food security. It also uses sector knowledge for the development of the Field Programme. TCA ensures the interface between the normative work of technical departments and policy assistance provided to countries.

Highly decentralized, the Division has Policy Assistance Branches and Units located in Regional and Subregional Offices and three Services at Headquarters: Field Programme Development (TCAP), Policy Coordinating (TCAR) and Agricultural Policy Support (TCAS). An outposted TCA officer in Brussels ensures coordination with the European Union in development activities supporting non-EU nations.

TCA supports FAO representatives in preparing the programme in the country, which addresses major mid-term national priorities under the organizational mandate and provides the necessary complementary framework with other international and regional development partners. The policy assistance work is implemented around national objectives related to the World Food Summit goals in consistency with major development frameworks like Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Poverty Reduction Strategies and UNDAF-CCA.