As a basis for sound policy advice and assistance to strategy formulation, FAO undertakes regional and country diagnostic studies which pinpoint needs and make information available to policymakers, donors and the wider public. These studies allow FAO to better target its policy-strategic advice and to identify with greater focus areas for field programme development. Examples of studies carried out in collaboration with regional and subregional offices are:

• trends and challenges in agriculture, forestry and fisheries in Latin America;
• food security and agricultural development in Sub-Saharan Africa: building a case for more support; (in preparation)
• China, India and selected Asian economies: implications of rapid economic growth for agriculture and food security in Asia and Pacific Rim countries. (in preparation)

More detailed studies are normally carried out during the design of policy and strategy work for specific countries or regions.