The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has released the following new titles that may be of interest to agroforesters in the region.
The Trees outside forests: towards better awareness is the latest release of FAO’s Conservation Guides. The guide attempts to fill in the information gap on the essential role of trees outside forests, together with forests and other woodlands, in solving problems associated with rural and urban populations. Trees outside forests contribute to the structure of landscapes, generate numerous environment and social services and yield important food products for the domestic needs of the people. The guide synthesizes the concept and role of trees outside forests, analyzes the problems and challenges and outlines efforts toward integration of resources in territorial management policies.
The "latest assessment of the long-term outlook for the world’s food supplies, nutrition and agriculture" is presented in World agriculture: towards 2015/2030. The report describes supply and demand projections of major agricultural commodities, including the fisheries and forestry sectors. It further examines nutrition and undernourishment and implications for international trade. Furthermore, future supply and demand implications for the natural resource base and how technology can contribute to more sustainable development are discussed. A major finding of the report is the need for immediate corrective actions if the aim of halving the number of undernourished people by 2015, set during the 1996 World Food Summit, is to be met. "Nothing short of a massive effort at improving the overall development performance will free the developing world of its most pressing food insecurity problems."
Now on its fifth edition, the biennial State of the world’s forests 2003, provides updated information on the global forest scenario, activities and institutional developments, while highlighting the challenges and opportunities to key issues. Working on the 2003 theme of "partnership in action," the book compiles contributions from FAO, intergovernmental and nongovernment organizations and individuals. The book is divided into two parts. Part I describes the recent developments and critical areas in forest resources; management, conservation and sustainable development of forests; the institutional framework; and the international forest policy dialogue. Part II, on the other hand, contains chapters on forestry and poverty alleviation; role of forests in the sustainable use and management of freshwater resources; sustainable use of forests toward biodiversity conservation; widening gaps and narrowing options in the science and technology of the forest sector; and recent trends in fiscal policies in the forest sector in Africa. The book is a useful reference for policy makers, foresters and other concerned individuals and institutions seeking updated information on the major issues in the forest sector.
Replacing the FAO/WHO publication "Guidelines for developing an effective national food control system," is the latest of FAO’s Food and Nutrition Papers, Assuring food safety and quality: guidelines for strengthening national food control systems. The paper presents updates on the development and operation of effective national food control programs, and the new trading environment resulting from the World Trade Organization Agreements on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures and on Technical Barriers to Trade. Consumer groups, industry and trade organizations, farmer groups and others involved in national policies on this area will benefit from the presentation of strategies to protect public health, prevent fraud and deception, avoid food adulteration and facilitate trade.
More information on these publications are available on-line at http://www.fao.org/catalog/.
