Contents -

Program of work and budget for 1964-65

8. The Committee endorsed the continuing high priority accorded to work on agricultural development and planning in 1964-65. The increased training activities proposed under Regular Program Technical Assistance, Expanded Program of Technical Assistance and the Regular Program were welcomed. There was general support for an additional post in the Agricultural Development Analysis Branch to organize these activities, and also to permit still closer collaboration with the planning institutes being set up by the United Nations regional economic commissions. These institutes would provide useful orientation in the problems of agriculture for general economic planners, but as currently envisaged their curricula did not provide the detailed treatment of these problems needed by agricultural planners. Support was given to a repetition of a comprehensive training center on the lines of the course held in 1963, as well as for further training courses and specialized meetings in the developing regions.

9. Several delegations expressed support for the recommendation of the World Food Congress for a permanent institute for agricultural development, and of more specialized regional agricultural development institutes as proposed by the FAO Regional Conference for the Near East. Other delegations suggested that the means of giving more comprehensive training in the agricultural sector at the United Nations regional development institutes should be explored further.

10. Emphasis was laid on the growing need of developing countries for direct consultation and expert advice on their particular planning problems, and support was given for the continuation of the task force and the Near East planning adviser under Regular Program Technical Assistance, as providing a flexible moans of giving such advice at short notice.

11. There was some discussion on follow-up work of the Mediterranean Development project. The Committee noted that such activities had now moved to the stage of preinvestment surveys for planning integrated development, and in some areas were approaching the stage of concrete investments. As the most comprehensive series of plans of integrated regional development, the preinvestment surveys now being undertaken were of wide general interest. Support was therefore given to the proposed meeting at Nîmes in 1964, to promote the exchange of experience and to review developments. Even though the actual program status of this work was questioned, it was noted that it was of particular importance to countries of the region, and that continuing support for the project was needed.

12. Several countries emphasized the need to establish similar preinvestment surveys in tropical Africa as a follow-up to the Africa Survey. A number of countries strongly supported the proposal to establish a separate Section for Africa in the Regional Analysis Branch to meet the new and growing demand imposed upon the Branch.

13. The Committee considered that further studies to explore more fully the place and problems of agriculture in general economic development and the strategic factors of development within agriculture itself, would be of much value. Such studies should cover, among other things, the achievement of better use of natural and human resources, and also the problems of shifting people from agriculture to other occupations as the economy developed. Studies of specific problems of particular regions were also needed, such as a study to be carried out in co-operation with the Economic Commission for Africa on the transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture in Africa.

14. The Committee accorded high priority to the increased work on marketing proposed, which needed to be supported by a further post at Headquarters to handle increased training activities, and for additional work in reducing costs and losses in storage and marketing. It was recommended that attention be given to the incidence of transportation costs, and to the role of marketing in improving prices to farmers in developing countries and thus providing incentives to necessary increases in production. The start of operations at the Latin America Regional Marketing Institute at Bogota was welcomed, and it was suggested that other permanent marketing institutes on a regional or national basis and equipped to undertake practical training and research programs were also needed. The Committee supported further work toward the establishment of a " cold chain " for marketing perishable products in the Mediterranean area. The Committee recognized that the increased consumption of protein foods so badly needed in developing countries could not be obtained without considerable improvements in their marketing systems and therefore endorsed additional work on this subject.

15. The importance of adequate credit and finance for agricultural development was stressed, and the Committee supported the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance (EPTA) training center planned for Africa in this field. It also emphasized the importance of close collaboration with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development in implementing its recently announced policy of extending credit for agricultural development on a considerably increased scale. The Committee also expressed appreciation for the Division's work on agricultural price policies. It noted that a review of developments during the preceding five years had been requested by CCP and it was suggested that this might form a special chapter in The state of food and agriculture.

16. It was pointed out that the Division's new activities were in the main the result of the evolution of the ideas and concerns of governments, and that the Division should continue to adapt itself to this evolution in substituting new tasks for former activities which were no longer urgent or which no longer warranted the same priority.

PART II. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Current biennium

17. The Committee expressed its appreciation of the high quality and great usefulness of the Division's work in the current biennium.

Program of work and budget for 1964-65

18. General support was expressed for the proposed program of work and budget, though some delegations pointed out that some downward adjustments might be necessary in the light of the level of the budget finally approved. The Committee supported the continuing emphasis on development and planning and on marketing. This would include more direct assistance to governments e.g. through outposted economics and marketing staff under the various field programs of the Organization, and the continuation of the advisory facilities under the Regular Program Technical Assistance. It would also include the provision of increased training facilities under the various programs.

19. Some delegates pointed out that the proposed budget does not reflect the interest which Latin America has in greater assistance from this Division in the ensuing biennium in view of the plans for economic and social development now being formulated by most governments of the region.

20. Side by side with the development of the operational and training programs, however, the Committee stressed the need for further basic studies such as those on the place of agriculture in general economic development, and the strategic factors in agricultural development, and programing methods. It was essential to maintain a balance between operational activities and the basic analytical work which provided the foundation for FAO's field activities under the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance, the United Nations Special Fund, the World Food Program, and the Freedom from Hunger Campaign. The Committee noted that the additional posts proposed in the budget were to support the regular program, and not to meet the Division's increasing operational responsibilities.

Future trends

21. The Committee took note that the greater emphasis on development and planning and on marketing was likely to continue in future years, and that the Division's operational responsibilities were likely to develop further. Attention was also called to the possible impact of the outcome of the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Trade and Development on the work of the Division.

PART III. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSION II

22. The Committee requested the Director-General:

Rural institutions and services

PART I. GENERAL SURVEY

General

1. The Committee reviewed the work of the Rural Institutions and Services Division and expressed satisfaction with the contribution being made to the improvement of human resources. There was broad support for increasing emphasis on this aspect of the work of the Organization, and recognition of the fact that the Division would have to be careful to see that good use is made of its limited resources.

2. The Committee stressed the Division's role in co-ordinating activities within its field of competence internally, between the Organization and its sister agencies, and between it and both governmental and nongovernmental bodies. It was recognized that this work was time-consuming and might engage energies which could be profitably used in activities with more immediate impact on the operational program of the Organization. It was, however, essential that duplication of effort should be avoided.

3. The Committee reviewed the proposed program of work for 1964-65 in relation to the Division's activities during the current biennium. Considerable approval was expressed for the Program, although the opinion was expressed that the proposals for consultants might repay more detailed examination. The Committee expressed particular interest in the proposal to establish a four-man team which would be available to advise Member Governments, at their request, on measures necessary for the implementation of agricultural development plans. This team would have competence in land tenure and rural sociology, agricultural education and extension, co-operatives and credit, and organization of agricultural services. The Committee endorsed the proposal and some representatives believed their governments would be pleased to make use of the service.

Expert panels and committees

4. The Committee examined the proposals for the establishment of expert panels included in the Division's program of work 1964-65. These were in agricultural education and training, research and development organization, land tenure systems, and rural sociology. It was recognized that it was essential to the work of the Organization that access be available to the most complete and up-to-date competence and information and that the expert panel was an effective means to this end. It was stated that, as far as could be foreseen, the panels would be formed and consulted by correspondence only during the 1964-65 biennium.

5. The Committee considered the subject matters to be covered by the proposed expert panels and it was felt that the Organization would benefit from access to this source of competence and knowledge.

Co-operatives, credit and rural sociology

6. In reviewing the program of work in co-operatives, credit and rural sociology, the Committee appreciated that particular emphasis was placed on the human and social aspects of rural life and on the approach to the problems of rural populations through the development of rural organizations based on self-help and mutual aid. Properly organized and administered agricultural credit is an essential feature of cooperatives and also helps to promote efficient action in agricultural extension, agrarian reform, farm marketing and supply. Work in all these fields has a clear sociological bias, and the consensus of opinion was that the subjects under discussion were closely interrelated.

7. The Committee recognized the need for further efforts in the field of co-operatives and other voluntary forms of association and appreciated the statements made by the observers of two organizations (the International Co-operative Alliance and the International Federation of Agricultural Producers) supporting the proposed strengthening of the co-operatives staff at Headquarters. The Committee endorsed this proposal in general terms. The opinion was also advanced that it might be advisable to exercise a certain caution in encouraging rapid establishment of cooperative organizations in developing countries. The Committee welcomed the projects for the improvement of co-operative management techniques, and the hope was expressed that further training centers on this subject might be planned in such a way that the greatest number of developing countries in a region could benefit from them. Regarding the production of extension material in all the subjects dealt with by the Branch, the Committee recommended close collaboration with the Agricultural Education and Extension Branch and with other international organizations concerned. It considered that the proposed Glossary of Cooperative Terms would be of value.

8. The Committee noted with great interest that several international organizations, and particularly the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, had recently emphasized the problem of the provision of adequate finance to agriculture through co-operatives and other institutions and that the provision of financial aid to intensify support of agricultural development on a broader front was envisaged. The report of the FAO survey on agricultural credit in developing countries carried out with financial support from Sweden was recognized to be of significance to rural development in general and agricultural progress in particular, and it was hoped that concrete follow-up action would be undertaken in this important field. The Committee appreciated the emphasis placed on programs integrating agricultural credit with other services, such as agricultural extension, farm supply, marketing, adequate agrarian structure, and home economics, and supported the establishment of pilot projects of this type in each developing region. Views were expressed that training facilities in agricultural credit should be strengthened and intensified not only at international and regional but also at the national level.

9. The Committee expressed satisfaction that, in spite of limited staff and funds, the Branch had made considerable progress in the field of rural sociology. Most of these activities have been accomplished through the efforts of experts in member countries and with the collaboration of other international organizations in the Working Party on Rural Sociological Problems. Recognizing the importance of broadening action in this field, the Committee supported the proposed panel of experts on rural sociology to assist the Division on an ad hoc basis.

Agricultural education and extension

10. The Committee reviewed the work carried out during 1962-63 to aid member countries in the field of agricultural education. Special appreciation was expressed of the higher and intermediate level agricultural education meetings held for Latin America and the Near East. These meetings had been useful to countries in providing opportunities for exchanging experience, in encouraging better planning of agricultural education and training at all levels in the regions. FAO should continue its efforts in this respect by following up the work begun in these two regions, and initiating similar activities in other regions.

11. As the training of personnel, and especially those needed to assist farmers, was essential to agricultural development the Committee requested that priority be given to agricultural education and training at all levels. It was further stated that FAO's technical assistance to the developing countries, with their urgent needs for personnel, should be oriented as far as possible toward training the local trainers responsible for instructing the field personnel who would be dealing with farmers. The need for a close relation and frequent interchange between the three levels of agricultural education in order to promote improvement was emphasized.

12. The Committee appreciated the preparatory work undertaken on the planning of agricultural education in Latin America and recommended its extension to cover other regions. The urgent need to carry out studies of existing systems in order to promote sound planning of the agricultural education systems required by the developing countries was emphasized. A wider use of agricultural education facilities abroad and closer liaison between the Organization and the other bilateral and international organizations offering programs of aid to the developing countries in the field of education was recommended. The Committee expressed the view that the strongest emphasis should be on the national and local training of the personnel needed for agricultural development in both the official and private sectors, particularly at the intermediate level.

13. It was stated that FAO is the United Nations organization that has a primary responsibility for agricultural education. A full understanding should therefore be reached between United Nations agencies in order to avoid unnecessary duplication and achieve the maximum co-operation and coordination in this field.

14. The need to assist countries in the preparation of their requests to the United Nations Special Fund, particularly in the field of agricultural education, was noted. The desire was expressed that FAO, give priority to this task, using whatever resources were appropriate for the purpose. Through these requests, and with other available resources, the provision of facilities for training agricultural teachers should be promoted.

15. The Committee recognized the special need for co-ordination of the work of the Agricultural Education and Extension Branch with that of other units of the Organization and approved the establishment of the Inter-Divisional Working Group in Agricultural Education and Training.

16. The different activities performed by the Branch in agricultural extension were recognized, especially those in support of national efforts to train much needed personnel for field extension services. It was noted that training of field extension personnel was urgently needed in many countries and that FAO through its Regular and technical assistance Programs should devote attention to helping countries to organize national training centers for this purpose. In this respect, it was requested that close co-ordination should be established with international and national institutions. It was suggested that the subjects to be dealt with in agricultural extension seminars and training courses should be closely related to and based on previous studies of local environments.

17. The good effects of the agricultural extension meeting held in Tehran in 1958 were noted and it was suggested that another meeting be organized for the Near East in the ensuing biennium, as well as a similar one for Latin America. The help extended to faculties and schools of agriculture in the introduction of courses in extension education was commended; and the view was expressed that FAO should continue this type of work in the developing countries.

18. It was requested that FAO should help countries to improve the co-ordination of rural development programs, which were often being carried out as independent, unco-ordinated activities at field level by different government departments. It was also stated that co-ordination should be sought between extension work and agricultural education which in some countries are the responsibility of different ministries.

19. The Committee felt that more attention should be given to the production of education materials and visual aids. Most developing countries were in need of good textbooks for faculties and schools of agriculture. Such textbooks should be closely related to local environment and deal with the problems of agricultural production and rural life. The work started by the Organization in this respect was commended and its expansion was recommended by the Committee.

Organization of agricultural services

20. Reviewing the work of the Organization of Agricultural Services Branch, the Committee expressed its satisfaction with its scope which ranged from planning a complete reorganization of a ministry of agriculture and associated agencies to the establishment of comprehensive national research services and institutes in widely differing countries. It noted that the number of requests from Member Governments for consultations and direct assistance in problems of research and development organization had exceeded anticipation, and appreciated the success of the work done in this field. The Committee nevertheless recommended that greater publicity should be given to the work of this Branch.

21. It was recognized that, unless more attention was given to organization and administration, development planning could confer but limited benefits. Through failure to take these problems into account during the planning phase, programs and projects were initiated which were beyond the administrative capacity of ministries of agriculture, and because of inadequate co-ordination between ministries and governmental agencies, the human, financial and material resources available for development could not be properly mobilized. These factors, together with the ineffectiveness of field services result in failures of implementation.

22. The conclusion of the World Food Congress that many development plans remained unrealized because they were essentially economic and fiscal projections without sufficient regard to the practicality of their agricultural content was endorsed. Some delegates considered that the occupation of senior posts in ministries of agriculture by general administrators with no technical training, as well as by agricultural administrators with no training in public administration, contributed to the ineffectiveness of technical operations. Training in administration should be given to technical staff when they reach the point in their careers at which they must assume administrative responsibilities.

23. It was recognized that the organizational structure of ministries of agriculture and their field services must be adapted to the role governments had come to play in the promotion of agricultural development and to the current situation and that the machinery for research and development should be periodically reviewed and adjusted to changes in function. Strong interest was expressed in the comparative studies on systems of organization for agricultural development that are being carried out, but it was suggested that investigation should be directed specifically toward the type of organization most appropriate for the different regions.

24. The need for African countries to receive assistance in improving the organization of their agricultural research and development services was recognized and views were expressed in support of a post for an officer for this work to be stationed in Africa. The possibilities for setting up regional research institutes would be investigated. The importance of including an adviser on the organization of research and development as a member of the four-man team to be assembled for the integrated attack on institutional impediments to agricultural development was also approved.

25. There was firm support for this field of work which, in view of its fundamental importance in the future development of many countries, should be expanded. The resources of the Branch were already strained in meeting requests for assistance, due to the shortage of staff and travel funds. At the same time, the holding of seminars and the publication of comparative studies would create a greater awareness of the need to introduce changes in organizational structure and to increase the effectiveness of field services, with the likely result of an increase in the volume of requests.

Land tenure and settlement

26. The Committee reviewed the work in land tenure and settlement and expressed appreciation of the progress achieved. The Committee noted that the program of the Branch for 1964-65 would emphasize:

27. With respect to the regional emphasis to be given to the work in the ensuing biennium, special importance was attached to the African region, which was at the initial stage of structural improvement policies, when land tenure is of vital importance to development.

28. Recognizing the increasing need for appropriate dissemination of analyzed information on agrarian affairs, the Committee noted with satisfaction the first document Land reform, land settlement and cooperatives produced by the newly-established Agrarian Research and Intelligence Service. The Committee recommended the continuation and further development of the publication on a twice-yearly basis.

29. The Committee noted that Resolution 887 (XXXIV) of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) conferred on FAO the major responsibility for land reform and that the Branch had started work on the preparation of the fourth report on progress in land reform to be submitted to ECOSOC in close co-operation with the United Nations and the International Labour Office (ILO). A consultant would be engaged in 1964 to draft this report.

30. Approving the forthcoming land policy center in Sierra Leone, the Committee drew attention to the proposal to hold a training center for the Near East region under the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance and expressed the hope that sufficient support would be given to this project to enable it to be carried out. It was further proposed that in organizing such a training center attention should be paid to the needs of new settlement areas. The Director-General's offer to hold a national seminar on agrarian reform in Iran, which was of great importance at the current stage of implementation of agrarian reform, was welcomed.

31. The Committee noted with approval the efforts being made for the establishment of research and training institutes for Latin America, the Near East, and Asia and the Far East, with the help of the United Nations Special Fund. A national institute for training and research in agrarian reform was expected to be inaugurated in Santiago, Chile, in the spring of 1964. Attention was drawn to the resolution of the Seventh Regional Conference for Latin America which recommended the establishment of a regional institute for research and training in agrarian reform and the hope was expressed that this proposal would receive sufficient support from Member Governments in the region to enable it to be set up. Attention was also drawn to efforts being made to establish a similar national institute in Cairo.

32. The view was expressed that the satisfactory collaboration with the Legislation Research Branch should be continued. The Committee recommended the compilation of annotated laws relating to agrarian structure for publication in the new periodical Land reform, land settlement and co-operatives, and suggested that studies might be undertaken on taxation affecting land-use practices and land distribution.

33. In the field of evaluation of agrarian reforms, the Committee took particular note of the proposed technical meeting on methods of evaluation of agrarian structure in Asia and the Far East, since evaluation methods were of great interest to the various Asian countries which were advanced in the implementation of agrarian reform.

34. It was recommended that a study should be undertaken on special problems presented by the consolidation of irrigated or soon to be irrigated agricultural lands, with reference also to the question of water rights and their reform as proposed by the Fifth Session of the Working Party on Consolidation of Holdings (now the Working Party on Agrarian Structure).

35. The Committee noted with approval the proposed establishment of a panel of experts to advise the Organization on alternative land tenure systems with a view to overcoming the disadvantages of the small operational units that are likely to result from land reform.

36. The Committee welcomed the close co-operation with the World Food Program in the preparation and supervision of the settlement projects developing under that Program.

37. It was suggested, in accordance with the recommendation by the United Nations Conference on the Application of Science and Technology for the Benefit of the Less Developed Areas, that the necessary steps should be taken to organize a second world land tenure conference to follow up the first such conference held in Madison, Wisconsin in 1951. This second conference should particularly emphasize progress achieved in the field of agrarian reform.

PART II. BROAD CONCLUSIONS

Past activities

38. The Committee expressed its satisfaction with the work of the Division during 1962-63 and recognized that the increasing importance attached both within FAO, and by Member Governments to its fields of work was reflected in an augmentation of responsibilities and work output. Particular emphasis was placed on the value of, and need for, work in co-operatives, agricultural education, research and development organization, and land tenure problems. The Division was commended for its work in co-ordinating, within its fields of competence, activities both within FAO and involving collaboration with international governmental and nongovernmental organizations.

Program of work for 1964-65

39. The Division's proposed program of work for 1964-65 was generally approved by the Committee. It was recognized that the importance of the work necessitated an augmentation in staff, and while most members of the Committee endorsed the proposals for strengthening the Division described in the proposed program of work, some expressed reservations regarding the number of additional posts proposed.

40. Reservations were expressed regarding the proposed expansion of the regional technical personnel. Some members would have given a lower priority to the UNICEF-related posts to be established with FAO funds.

41. The Committee endorsed the co-ordination work in which the Division was engaged and stressed the need to achieve agreement with other international agencies in the apportionment of responsibility in such fields as agricultural education and cooperation.

42. Emphasis was placed on the importance of the work being developed in agricultural education and training and the organization of agricultural services. The Committee stressed the desirability of developing a program in rural youth work. It expressed regret that it was not possible to enter more fully into this field of activity during the forthcoming biennium, and expressed the wish that the Director-General find means to expand this work further.

43. The Committee approved the proposal to form a four-man team with competence in land tenure and rural sociology agricultural education and extension, co-operatives and credit, and the organization of agricultural services including agricultural research. This service would be of great value to Member Governments in enabling them to adopt an integrated approach to the proper implementation of agricultural development plans.

Trends for the future

44. The Committee emphasized the increasing importance being attached by Member Governments to factors contributing to the improvement of human resources and the essential part they played in any program for the improvement of the physical environment of the population. The work of the Division was considered to be of growing importance and to merit the increase in resources which was being accorded to it in the Director-General's Program of Work and Budget for 1964-65. Activities in the field of co-operatives, credit and agrarian reform and land tenure should be continued and if possible strengthened. It might be expected that all aspects of education and training for agriculture would require more attention in the future. The work with rural youth, especially, would absorb larger resources in the fairly near future. The Committee anticipated an increased need for teaching aids and textbooks related to the particular environments of developing countries and commended the work of the Division in formulating a program to this end in association with UNICEF and other FAO units. An increasing demand from countries for advice and assistance in the organization of agricultural research and administrative services was also anticipated.

PART III. RECOMMENDATION FOR COMMISSION II

Proposal for action by the Conference

45. The Committee noted with concern that, in spite of the agreements reached in 1960 and 1961, there remained some problems relating to the division of responsibility between FAO and other international agencies. It recommended that careful consideration should be given to the proper role of FAO in relation to Unesco and ILO, particularly in agricultural education and training, and to the best means of co-ordinating activities with regional and bilateral organizations.

Statistics

PART I. SURVEY OF THE WORK OF THE DIVISION

General

1. The Committee recognized that the Statistics Division fulfilled an important role by:

2. It was the unanimous view of the Committee that the Division's work was of great importance. Statistics formed the basis of the work of many other Divisions of FAO and in the developing countries sound agricultural statistics were the first stage in building up development plans.

3. The Committee noted with approval that the work had been intensified during 1962 and 1963 in order to implement the recommendation of the Eleventh Session of the Conference. A further intensification of some major aspects of the work was called for in the forthcoming biennium, if FAO was to play its full part in assisting countries in their development planning.

Regional activities

4. Delegates welcomed the establishment of Regional Commissions on Agricultural Statistics in the Near East and Africa. The reports of their sessions held in 1962 and of the session of the Study Group of the African Commission held in 1963 were noted. Both Commissions had laid down specific programs of work adapted to the conditions prevailing in the regions and priorities had been established for future activities.

5. The Committee recognized that the effective support afforded by member countries to the work of the Commissions and the stimulus given to the evolution of agricultural statistics in the Near East and Africa had imposed new demands on the statisticians working in the regions. It was inevitable and most desirable in the conditions prevailing in the developing countries that the work of the Commissions should be supported and expanded. Some arrangements should be made for setting up an executive committee to ensure the continuity of work done by the Near East Commission at least on an ad hoc basis. In addition, many countries in those regions were conducting intensive work on agricultural development plans. The Committee therefore unanimously welcomed the proposals to strengthen the staff in the African region by the addition of one statistician as had been recommended at the Eleventh Session of the Conference. The Committee recognized that this strengthening of the statistical staff in the region would also enable the development of suitable survey techniques and methodology appropriate to the conditions of agriculture prevailing in the different countries.

6. The proposal to appoint a biometrician to serve both the Near East and African regions was welcomed, but many delegates felt that one post alone could not fully meet the needs of both regions.

7. It was noted with satisfaction that work on the standardization of current agricultural statistics in the European countries had been continued through the ECE/FAO Study Group. Delegates approved the plans to extend the work in other regions through the regional commissions and other regional machinery.

8. It was noted with satisfaction that it was proposed to set up joint machinery with the Inter-American Statistical Institute to stimulate the development of agricultural statistics in Latin America. Previous sessions of the Conference had recommended the establishment of a second regional statistician for Latin America. Delegates noted with satisfaction that this post has been incorporated in the program of work for 1964-65.

9. The Committee expressed concern that, despite the recommendation of the Regional Conference, no specific machinery had been proposed for further promoting the development of agricultural statistics in the Far East. Delegates felt that it would be more efficient in the long run for the necessary evolution of agricultural statistics in the Far East to be carried out within the framework of regional machinery similar to that set up in the Near East and Africa. It was felt that this machinery should be set up as soon as possible in 1964-65.

10. The Committee considered that the development of agricultural statistics in the Far East region called for the appointment of an additional regional statistician. It felt that more attention should be given to that region, considering the urgency for further agricultural development to meet the requirements of the rapidly growing population. Delegates also stressed the need for a biometrician in the Far East region.

Freedom from Hunger Campaign

11. The Committee noted that the work of the Division in 1962-63 had been reorientated to meet the urgent needs of the Freedom from Hunger Campaign. It had been necessary to reappraise the food and nutrition situation in the world. Numerous studies had been undertaken on the assessment of the incidence of hunger and malnutrition and of the future needs for food supplies. This work had formed the basis of the Third World Food Survey. As a natural outcome of this activity, the Division had been made responsible for the FAO contributions to the United Nations World Population Conference to be convened in 1965.

Statistics Advisory Committee

12. Delegates welcomed the establishment of the Statistics Advisory Committee following the previous recommendations of the Conference. The Committee noted with satisfaction the report of the first session of the Advisory Committee and the many suggestions for the improvement of the technical aspects of the Division's work.

Production statistics

13. The Committee recognized the basic importance of the production statistics published in the Production yearbook. the Monthly bullettin of agricultural economics and statistics and the Annual review of production, consumption and trade of fertilizers. Delegates welcomed the expansion in the scope and coverage of these statistics achieved during the biennium and learned with satisfaction that these publications were in great demand.

Crop response to fertilizers

14. The Committee reviewed the proposal for the compilation and analysis of data on crop response to fertilizers in cultivators' fields under varying soil conditions. Some delegates questioned the usefulness of over-all international tabulation of the results. In response to a query regarding the practical utility of the project, it was explained that such data were essential for a variety of purposes such as estimating the possibilities of increasing production by the efficient use of fertilizers, forecasting future fertilizer requirements, developing yardsticks for setting realistic targets for crop production, and formulating sound extension policies, thus contributing to the success of campaigns for increased agricultural productivity. It was emphasized by some delegates that the collection and analysis work should be kept within bounds to satisfy the essentials of the objectives stated and should not develop into a large world-wide collection and analysis project.

15. As part of the Special Fund projects on soil fertility thousands of field experiments were being carried out in cultivators' fields. Over 25,000 experiments were being conducted under the Freedom from Hunger Campaign Fertilizer Program. A number of countries were also carrying out experiments as part of their agricultural extension activities. The Committee stressed the importance of promoting such experiments and the need to make the results available in concise form. Delegates felt that such data were of great importance in influencing the action of farmers along the desired lines. The Committee stressed the need for caution in generalizing the results, in view of the variable conditions found in the field.

16. The Committee supported the proposed expansion of the Production Branch for this work. It was noted that the project would be carried out in close co-operation with the Land and Water Development Division and the Plant Production and Protection Division.

17. The responsibility of the Division for servicing the statistical requirements of various regional and international projects relating to agronomic research, such as the working parties of the International Rice Commission and the Freedom from Hunger Campaign Fertilizer Program, and for the supervision of the work of biometrics experts in different countries was noted. The Committee also felt that the proposed program of work would make a significant contribution to the wider application of improved statistical techniques in agricultural experimentation.

Trade yearbook

18. The Committee welcomed the Division's successful efforts to advance the date of publication of the Trade yearbook. Delegates commended the proposed changes in format and content. The Committee noted that the manuscript of the 1963 yearbook would be prepared with the use of the electronic equipment of the International Computation Center on an experimental basis.

Prices and other economic statistics

19. The need for making available in published form more statistical information on economic statistics including both numerical series and relevant descriptive material was recognized. Such statistics were being published in the Production yearbook, but the amount of information that could be included was limited. It was recommended that the possibility of printing a separate yearbook for economic and social statistics should be considered.

Agricultural sector accounts and productivity statistics

20. The Committee recognized that implementation of the recommendations of the European Meeting of Experts on Index Numbers of Agricultural Production required intensification of the work on the standardization of concepts, definitions and methods of agricultural sector accounts. Sector accounts data were needed for the preparation and combination of national index numbers into regional and world index numbers of agricultural production. The implementation of this work and its extension to other regions would bring the information available on the agricultural sector into line with that of other sectors of the economy.

21. Delegates recognized that data on income arising in agriculture and other aggregates of agricultural sector accounts are essential tools for planning and formulating economic policy. Most countries were already engaged in the assessment of income arising in agriculture for those purposes. The Committee welcomed the work of the Division in this field. It was pointed out that the developing countries in particular would stand to benefit by an early start on standardization. It was also recognized that aggregates derived from agricultural sector accounts, coupled with data on the labor force and capital investment would enable statistical indicators of agricultural development to be compiled.

22. The Committee recommended that more attention should be given to intensifying work on standardization of agricultural sector accounts and definitions of productivity of the different input factors than to specialized productivity studies. The Committee was informed that such was the intention; and it noted that the Division proposed to proceed cautiously and slowly with the work, and emphasized that this cautious approach was most important in view of the complexities of the subject.

23. The need for close co-operation with the Economic Analysis Division, the Conference of European Statisticians and other regional and international organizations in this aspect of the Division's work was stressed by the Committee. It was considered that more emphasis should be given to the practical aspects of the problems involved, including the measurement of technological progress in agriculture. The Committee supported the expansion of the program of work in this field.

1970 World Census of Agriculture

24. The Committee unanimously considered that censuses of agriculture were a basic prerequisite for development planning in agriculture and for development of current agricultural statistics. The plans for the 1970 World Census of Agriculture were endorsed, and it was stressed that preparations should start as soon as possible.

25. The Committee noted that, despite the assistance in census taking so far made available to countries, in the form of expert advice, training centers and seminars, and the dissemination of census material, several countries had been unable to participate in the 1960 Census. The Committee shared the views of the Near East and African Commissions on Agricultural Statistics that, even after countries realized the importance of the census for agricultural planning, they could not always participate, largely because of lack of funds.

26. The Committee felt that special steps should be taken to remedy this unfortunate situation and recommended that FAO should explore the possibility of obtaining help for countries that experience difficulties in taking their censuses, and of creating a Census Fund to supply financial help where needed. A suggestion was made that FAO should set up a committee to consider this question. Both census experts and financial experts should be included in such a committee. It was also suggested that the Fund might be administered as a Trust Fund with voluntary contributions, in money, expert services or equipment.

Data processing centers

27. Delegates felt that the establishment of data processing centers should be approached with caution, and the Committee suggested further consultations between FAO and other United Nations agencies on the whole problem.

Food consumption statistics

28. The Committee recognized the importance of food consumption statistics and welcomed the progress made by the Division in co-operation with the Nutrition Division in compiling quantitative data on the levels and patterns of food consumption. The Committee noted, however, that much work remained to be done before data on food consumption could be considered adequate. The Committee therefore supported proposals to promote and develop such statistics through training centers and seminars, the dissemination of information on methodology, and the services of experts. The need was expressed for a regional food consumption survey adviser in the Near East.

Methodology

29. The Committee recognized the importance of the work of the Methology Branch in promoting the use of statistical techniques both through technical assistance and through the preparation of publications. Delegates stressed the importance of methodological studies as a means of training staff and of spreading knowledge of improved statistical techniques.

30. The Committee hoped it would be possible, as recommended by the Statistics Advisory Committee, to publish in English, French and Spanish the books which had been prepared on area statistics and sampling methods and censuses; and also that the work on the manuals on the use of aerial photography, crop forecasting and livestock statistics could be expedited.

Training

31. The Committee strongly supported measures to train statisticians in the developing countries, particularly in Africa. Training could take many forms such as training centers, seminars, fellowships, and the distribution of appropriate methodological studies. Training at the local level was considered by many delegates to be particularly important. It was the unanimous view that the development of agricultural statistics depended on the intensification of training arrangements. It was also suggested that the briefing of experts should be extended especially with regard to the standardization of statistics. The exchange of information between experts was also considered useful.

32. Delegates felt that this intensification of training activities called for supervision and guidance in the field. The Committee considered that the appointment of regional advisers in agricultural statistical training was a matter of urgency particularly in Africa.

33. The Committee noted with appreciation the offer of the United Kingdom to host a seminar on the integration of census material with extension work, administration and policy.

PART II. MAJOR CONCLUSIONS

Past activities

34. The Committee commended the work of the Division during the 1962-63 biennium. The continuing and long-term nature of much of the Division's work was appreciated. At the same time, the Committee felt that the Division had maintained a flexible approach to the new problems that had confronted it in the regions and in the development of the Freedom from Hunger Campaign.

35. Delegates expressed appreciation of the Division's technical assistance work in the developing countries.

36. It was the unanimous view that work in statistics was basic to the work of the Organization and to the development of agricultural policies in member countries. The close cooperation with the other Divisions of the Department should be further intensified.

Program of work for 1964-65

37. The Committee recognized that work in statistics should be intensified and supported the proposed program of work. However some delegates questioned whether all the proposed new posts were fully justified.

38. Many delegates emphasized the lack of even the most simple agricultural statistics in their countries. Agricultural policy formation was hampered by the lack of data and many important surveys and appraisals had to be based on guesswork. Thus many delegates felt that the highest priority should be given to the development of statistical systems in the developing countries.

Long-term trends

39. The Committee did not consider that any major shifts of emphasis would be required in the foreseeable future, but looked forward to a gradual change in the balance of the Division's work through intensification of its regional and other more practical activities. The improvement in the quality of statistical data and the development of statistical systems was a continuing process which would need to continue to be energetically pursued for many years to come.

PART III. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMISSION II

Proposals for action by the Conference

40. The Committee recommended the establishment of a Far East Commission on Agricultural Statistics in 1964-65. The Committee was informed that such establishment would not involve additional expenditure in 1964-65.

41. The Committee recommended that FAO, should explore the possibility of establishing a Census Fund to assist countries in census-taking and report to the Thirteenth Session of the Conference.

FISHERIES

OFFICERS

Chairman
R. Cusmai (Italy)

Vice-Chairmen
P. Moreira da Silva (Brazil)
F. O. Otorubio (Nigeria)

Rapporteur
A. Thurmer (Netherlands)

Assistants to Rapporteur
G. F. Humphrey (Australia)
J. N. N. Adjetey (Ghana)

PART I. INTRODUCTION AND GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

1. In the course of its examination of the 1964-65 program for the Fisheries Division, the Committee held a very full and thorough discussion on recent developments in fishery production, research and management and on the implications of these developments for the work of FAO, in the field of fisheries. Nearly all the delegations present participated in the debate, which revealed wide areas of agreement. The Committee was much impressed with the great strides that had been made in recent years in increasing production from the oceans and inland waters, the output of which had doubled in the period 1951 to 1962, and with the greatly increased attention being given to rational exploitation. However, the Committee noted with great regret that FAO, did not play a major part in these efforts, as would be its proper role. At the same time, the Committee was much disturbed by the absence of effective over-all co-ordination of the many activities in this general field undertaken by national and international, governmental and nongovernmental bodies. They were agreed that such co-ordination was already a constitutional responsibility of FAO, but that the Fisheries Division with its current status and resources was unable to fulfill this important role. Governments had sometimes failed to ensure the necessary support for this work and had, moreover, not always pursued compatible policies in regard to the various organizations and bodies that had some concern with fisheries. Mention was made of the possibility of setting up an international organization to take care of all aspects of fisheries and of marine sciences, but it was felt to be preferable to strengthen, instead, the Fisheries Division to make it capable of fulfilling its proper functions.

2. The Committee, therefore, decided to recommend to the Conference a resolution (Appendix I to this Report) summarizing its views and requesting the Director-General to prepare proposals for consideration by the next session of the Conference which, if adopted, would remedy the situation and ensure that in future years FAO. could properly discharge its responsibilities in the field of fisheries. While the need for more work, and at the same time for avoiding waste and duplication of effort, was most obvious in the field of resource exploitation, assessment and management, the urgently needed great increase in production and consumption of fish and fishery products also required a great deal of further research analysis, experimentation and demonstration in such fields as fishing boats and gear, processing, production management and marketing. The Committee felt that the importance of fisheries in meeting the most pressing needs for human nutrition and the task to be performed in this regard by the FAO Fisheries Division had not been adequately recognized in the past, but was encouraged by a statement made by the Assistant Director-General of the Technical Department on behalf of the Director-General indicating that increasing attention would be paid to fisheries in the future. The Committee was quite unanimous in the view that, while many of the proper responsibilities of the FAO Fisheries Division were at present not, or not adequately discharged, the Director and the staff of the Division had achieved excellent results, given the very limited resources at their disposal and the special difficulties encountered. The Committee noted that, while 88 percent of the budget of the Division, net of the prorated contribution from the Expanded Program of Technical Assistance, was provided for by the Regular Program, the staff could devote only 45 percent of their time to the Regular Program. In this connection, the Committee noted with regret the accommodation problems for the Organization as a whole and regretted the decision to postpone the return of the Fisheries Division to the Headquarters building for some time. The Committee urged that this return should be speeded up as much as possible and in the meantime was glad to be assured that all parts of the Fisheries Division would soon be brought together under one roof. It expressed the hope that the Division would also be given all necessary additional facilities and services for it to function efficiently during the period of its being outposted.

3. While, therefore, looking forward to a more substantial expansion of the Division's work in the future, the Committee endorsed the program of work for 1964-65 as presented, judging it to be, on the whole, balanced and well-considered within the resources available to the Division. The Committee was of the opinion that the staff provided for in the Program of Work and Budget, as presented, was, in some instances at least, inadequate for the Division to carry out even the most urgent tasks. It endorsed the expansion proposed in the fields of marine resources and the development of new fish products but proposed that certain work of high priority, not provided for in the program of work, should be undertaken. These proposals are specified in Part IV of this report. They include strengthening in the Biology and Economics and Statistics Branches to undertake work on stock assessment and supporting statistical activities. Strengthening is also needed in inland fishery biology and in the field of fishing boat design, for which at least one inland fishery biologist and one naval architect would be necessary.

4. The Committee drew special attention to the destructive effects of pollution on fisheries in the rivers and lakes of many countries where industrialization was in progress. It urged that the Fisheries Division, in collaboration with other international and regional agencies concerned, should endeavor to give more attention to the biological, technical and economic aspects of pollution, with a view to advising governments on measures to solve this serious problem. With regard specifically to the Indo-Pacific region in which the freshwater fisheries are of considerable importance, it was suggested that in the first instance the Indo-Pacific Fisheries Council might arrange a symposium on this subject.

5. The Committee also particularly stressed the necessity of making special efforts, under the Regular Program and field programs, to meet the needs of the developing countries through short-term economic and technological studies and projects.

6. The Committee further stressed the need for promoting international and national action in the matter of training fishery scientists and technologists at all levels.

7. Several delegations energetically against the nonapplication of Conference Resolution No. 24/55, referred to in the Reports of the Tenth and Eleventh Sessions of the Conference (paragraphs 550 and 319 respectively) which required the adoption of those measures necessary to ensure the simultaneous distribution, by FAO and publishers commissioned by FAO, of all publications and documents, including manuals and bibliographies in the three working languages of the Organization.

Continue

Contents -