H. HAMMAD (Jordan)(original language Arabie):To start with, I wish to say that the paper before us provides very good ideas and very useful information. This will accelerate agricultural development in developing countries provided that the principles contained therein are implemented. I have nothing new to say for all those who have preceded me have referred to the various points I wanted to mention. Nevertheless, I wish to say that the International Development Strategy for the UN Third Development Decade in the field of food and agriculture should be rooted in the countries themselves and that every country should mobilise all its possibilities toward food self-sufficiency. I say so because I am aware that food exporting countries will arrive at the time when they will be reducing their exports, particularly wheat, because the people of these very same countries will be needing the commodities they are exporting. The document sets out recommendations of a general nature which are not very precise, for example, it speaks of very urgent problems that require particular initiatives. We want to know what these initiatives are. In another paragraph reference is made to disarmament and development, and we note here that man has been able to get to the moon, to invent and produce the nuclear weapons, yet this man, egoistic as he is, has not been able to act in the rural areas in an efficient manner, and this is why rural areas are the poorest in the world. Naturally this problem cannot be dealt with by shying away from it, and very many countries need aid and support to repair this deteriorating situation, otherwise ruin will threaten this world.
Another paragraph refers to support technology in developing countries. I wish to underline that this is a very important principle and advanced countries should come to the assistance of developing countries with this kind of technology, machinery, improved seed varieties, fertilisers, etc. , so that they may thus meet in practical terms the requirements of these countries, thus allowing the farmer to use these production inputs in an efficient and comprehensive manner. It is this aid which will lead directly to agricultural development and make available the financial resources that will allow the farmer to obtain these commodities.
In speaking of women, we note that she rocks the cradle with one hand and ruling the world with the other. It is those women who are involved in the agricultural process and also employed at home. Unless she participates fully in this process, efforts will be fruitless. Therefore, we ask. the advanced countries with the help of developing countries to provide a proper extension machinery that will take into account these needs,
I also wish to say that food products once stored are exposed to considerable waste and could cause serious losses, and here I wish to refer to the proverb that says if you teach a man you are teaching a whole family. I wish to say here that producing food and distributing it in these countries is excellent per se. We need a comprehensive network so that the farmer can get his produce to the market. This naturally will lead to stability.
Another paragraph speaks of putting all our efforts to fulfil the development and the welfare of mankind. We have all been hoping and praying for this purpose and perhaps the aggressor understands the situa tion because development will have no future in any part of the world as long as occupation persists. We hope that the aggressor will notice this before it is too late and history is witness to what I say.
A. P. J. M. OOMEN (Netherlands): We thank the Secretariat for the documente 81/22 and Dr. Nurul Islam for his introduction to it. In the document the Secretariat presents some selective issues for the 1980s. We would like to comment on some issues out of these. The resolution on the International Development Strategy for DD3 states, and I quote: "agricultural and rural development and the eradication of hunger and malnutrition are among the essential objectives of DD3. Developing countries in the context of their development plans and priorities firmly supported by the international community will take all necessary measures to accelerate food and agricultural production in order to improve national and collective self-sufficiency in food as early as possible".
How can we operationalise this objective? Cancun has provided some elements for a plan of action. We believe that the action plan of Mr. Pisani of the EEC provides a good basis for action. In Brussels, the Netherlands have strongly supported it, and we have committed ourselves to assist in its imple mentation. , The major window of the Pisani plan focusses on our national food strategies as aprere-quisite for agricultural and food production development. It asks not only for a sustained effort from governments to pursue a comprehensive agricultural development policy, it calls also on donors to exercise the necessary discipline in assisting the recipient governments in the pursuit of their policies. In fact, food strategies provide a basis for negotiation on aid allocations. This we con sider as the essence of the Pisani plan.
As we have stated in the Plenary we too consider the small farmer to be the backbone of food production. In a comprehensive agricultural policy the risks he takes in changing his traditional farming system should be taken care of. In that case he will react rationally as is stated in the document. Paragraph 120, explaining what is called "the second option" ennumerates the different possible incentives and measures to move the small farmer to change his traditional pattern. We see as major elements in such a policy a system of guaranteed prices together with infrastructural measures to increase his access to the productive factors. If increasing food production really becomes of interest to the small farmer-he will do so. This will have positive side effects on off-farm employment in the rural areas, and a direct effect on the income situation. It will increase and broaden the effective demand for food. If, however, the small farmer is not our main policy focus and no special measures are taken he will lose his land to large farmers and become landless, poor, and deprived of food. Even if the large farms increase food production substantially and statistically the effective demand for food might be narrowed. More poverty and more hunger will be the result. An increase and a broadening of the effective demand is more likely to be the result of a policy oriented towards the small farmers,
I would like to come to the role of food aid. The short-term target for the increase of food produc tion could be to fill the effective demand in the country. At this moment a maybe larger cost of food aid seems to go to the factual effective demand and does not reach the ineffective demand, the people deprived of food.
On a world-wide scale, however, we have the task and the possibility to provide adequate food to all human beings. On a national level, this might not be possible. Food aid therefore has the role to reach those who have no access to food because they have no title to obtain it on the market. In this specific way food aid can finally play its role to eradicate the hunger from the world, for which it is intended.
P. A. BLANDÓN (Nicaragua): En el aspecto regional, nuestra delegación presento ante esta Comisión, el día viernes 13 por la tarde, una exposición que demostraba nuestro especial interés porque se impulsara una estrategia regional para la seguridad alimentaria en la zona de Centroamérica y el Caribe.
El documento C 81/22, presentado por el Dr. Islam, en sus párrafos 145 y 146 recoge perfectamente el significado que favorece un enfoque regional de la problemática para resolver fluctuaciones de produc ción mediante la creación de reservas regionales de alimentos.
El SELA (Sistema Económico Latinoamericano) ha propuesto, dentro del marco regional, una serie de acti vidades de las que ya hemos hecho mención en el tema sobre seguridad alimentaria. Varios países en esta Comisión hemos sustentado los objetivos y beneficios que se obtendrían con las alternativas discutidas en México en agosto pasado durante la reunión de expertos gubernamentales de alto nivel para la seguridad alimentaria.
Sin embargo, un aspecto fundamental que encontramos necesario priorizar dentro de las actividades pro puestas es el fortalecimiento institucional a empresas u organismos estatales . de comercio exterior que intervendrían en la ejecución del intercambio comercial y del acopio interno de los alimentos.
En el marco de la estrategia nacional para el desarrollo agrícola, Nicaragua, a pesar de los diversos problemas que afronta, ha considerado indispensable la inclusion de soluciones integrales. Se deben integrar a estas soluciones, no solamente los aspectos técnicos y financieros y de comercio, sino que fundamentalmente se deben integrar soluciones que den una respuesta solida y permanente a los problemas sociales heredados, los cuales repercuten sobre todo en el sector rural productor de alimentos.
En los párrafos 116 al 126, el documento deja entrever la triste realidad de la mayoría de los países pobres de América Latina en cuanto a los problemas que afronta la agricultura campesina. Nuestro Gobierno ha tomado como tarea prioritaria realizar profundos cambios estructurales en este importante sector de nuestra economía al introducir una ley de reforma agraria que verdaderamente redistribuya con justicia revolucionaria los grandes latifundios improductivos o ineficientemente explotados, que bene ficien realmente a los campesinos pobres, sin detrimento de la productividad.
Tenemos como principal objetivo estimular la producción campesina dentro de un contexto verdaderamente revolucionario que contemple la integración de todos los factores de orden económico, político y social, con el único propósito de lograr la felicidad y bienestar de nuestro pueblo.
Finalmente, nuestra delegación desea invitar a países y organismos internacionales interesados a observar el desenvolvimiento de nuestra estrategia de desarrollo agrícola, con el propósito de hacer una modesta contribución para el fortalecimiento de una agricultura que favorezca cada vez más a los sectores marginados de nuestro mundo.
A. RODRIGUES PIRES (Cap-Vert): Nous voulons remercier vivement le secrétariat pour la brillante présentation de son rapport. Nous ne répéterons pas ce qu'ont déjà dit les honorables délégués qui m'ont précédé mais voulons faire quelques observations.
Nous voulons parler d'abord de la question des intrants agricoles. En effet, à nos yeux, il s'agit là du point le plus important. Nous avons appris avec beaucoup de satisfaction l'ampleur et l'impor tance qui ont été données aux engrais. Nous pensons que c'est une très bonne chose, mais voulons aussi que dans ce document une certaine place soit donnée à la protection des cultures. C'est bien de produire, mais il faut aussi protéger la production dans les champs.
Nous voulons aussi souligner un point très important : une fois que les récoltes sont dans les hangars, il faut avoir les moyens de l'importation. A nos yeux, les pesticides et les moyens de traitement dans les champs et après les récoltes ont toute leur importance.
Ma délégation a pris bonne note de l'importance que vous avez donnée dans ce document au problème du maïs; en effet, le maïs constitue une des bases essentielles de l'alimentation des pays en voie de développement, notamment en Afrique. C'est pour cela que nous croyons qu'un effort de recherche génétique et de divulgation des semences sélectionnées doit mériter une place très importante.
Tout ce qui est préconisé dans ce document est bien joli, mais l'important c'est l'homme; il faut qu'on forme des gens au ras du sol et à tous les niveaux; il faut qu'on crée des sites d'extension rurale au niveau des pays en voie de développement afin de pouvoir mettre en pratique la technologie de recherche.
Je veux dire que la pêche doit constituer un volet important, je parle de la pêche artisanale; il faut qu'on asáocie la pêche à l'agriculture dans nos pays en voie de développement.
Nous voulons appuyer sans réserve les programmes de la FAO en ce qui concerne les zones exclusives. Il faut que la Conférence demande au Directeur général, M. Saouma, de prendre toutes les mesures nécessaires pour alimenter les fonds et les ressources pour la concrétisation de cette stratégie.
En ce qui concerne l'eau, nous croyons que l'eau est un aspect très important, même un élément indis pensable; il faudra que l'hydrologie villageoise et pastorale, en tout cas pour les pays en voie de développement et surtout les pays africains, soit considérée comme un point d'appui très important.
Concernant le stock alimentaire, nous pensons que l'aspect régional est à nos yeux un aspect qui mérite d'être médité et nous avons des espérances très claires au Sahel et dans les dix-huit pays membres du CILSS dont notre projet régional constitue les stocks nationaux et régionaux, les stocks de sécurité alimentaire et nous pensons que ce projet qui est appuyé par la FAO, serait peut-être un exemple dans l'avenir.
Pour terminer, nous voudrions souligner l'importance d'une approche intégrée de développement rural; nous croyons beaucoup à l'exemple de la création du centre africain rural intégré en Tanzanie, nous demandons à la FAO et à certains membres de tout faire pour que ce centre démarre des actions très rapidement en faveur du combat contre la faim.
C. D. SANCHEZ-AVALOS (Argentina) : Me limitaré a hacer muy breves comentarios sobre el tema correspond diente al documento C 81/22.
En nuestra opinion ese documento constituye un claro y alto examen del tema estrechamente ligado a los esfuerzos de desarrollo regional y nacional. La enunciación de estrategias referidas a esos niveles constituye sin duda un elemento de información sobre puntos de partida y caminos alternativos que conducen hacia objetivos" de desarrollo tal y como imponen las diversas realidades de las regiones y de los países.
En el transcurso de esta Conferencia, nuestro país pudo señalar en el Plenario, en la exposición del Jefe de la Delegación Argentina, y en esta Comisión, al debatirse el tema del estado mundial de la agricultura y de la alimentación, los avances de nuestra producción agrícola.
La base fundamental de los progresos logrados en Argentina se manifiesta en incrementos de producti vidad por la introducción de mejoras tecnológicas que lentamente han repercutido también en los niveles de ingresos de los productores.
Si a la vez tenemos en cuenta que el 95 por ciento de las explotaciones agropecuarias argentinas son de propiedad de productores independientes, y que en el sector rural sólo se localiza un 6 per ciento de la población nacional económicamente activa, podemos apreciar el grado de desarrollo agrícola alcanzado por nuestro país.
Al referir este desarrollo a los puntos de vista y alternativas expuestos en los párrafos 116 a 126 del documento que analizamos, podemos afirmar que estamos encuadrados en la alternativa de la agricultura dinámica moderna, cuyas implicaciones se manifiestan en los hechos positivos de nuestro desarrollo, sin que se presenten situaciones conflictivas o problemas que exijan cambios estructurales, salvo en el caso de algunos problemas originados en áreas geográficas determinadas por la excesiva fragmentación y por la antieconómica pequeña extensión de los predios en explotación.
Con esto, quiero significar, que las estrategias del desarrollo agrícola argentino pueden presentar hechos cuantificados e importantes por estar orientadas en la permanente búsqueda de ventajas compa rativas, originadas por la eficiente combinación de sus factores positivos.
TAZI SAID(Maroc): Je voulais compléter mon intervention d'hier sur l'expérience marocaine en ce qui concerne la stratégie de développement nationale par quelques remarques d'ordre général. Je voudrais notamment préciser que la mise en place de la stratégie nationale qui devait s'inspirer de la stratégie internationale de développement préconisée par les Nations Unies nécessite que les Etats en développe ment procèdent à une réorientation des investissements internes au profit de l'agriculture. Il faut qu'il y ait priorité réelle au profit de l'agriculteur concrétisée par un taux d'investissement aussi élevé que possible. Cette stratégie nécessite également qu'un équilibre soit trouvé au niveau des différents secteurs de production à l'intérieur des investissements destinés à l'agriculture.
Très souvent on constate que les terres arides ou semi-arides qui comportent cependant des potentialités importantes ne sont pas traitées avec le même égard que d'autres zones de production plus favorables. C'est pourquoi d'ailleurs je pense que les recherches en aridocultures doivent être encouragées au niveau international et appuyées techniquement et financièrement car nous pouvons avoir, dans ces zones réputées plus ou moins défavorables sur le plan agronomique, des potentialités encore plus importantes qu'on ne le soupçonne.
Il est entendu à ce propos que l'exploitation de nos potentialités agricoles ou des potentialités agricoles dans le monde, tout en étant utiles et opportunes, ne peuvent être rigoureuses et définiti ves vu le caractère évolutif de ces potentialités dans la recherche agronomique. Dans le cadre de l'équilibre des investissements à l'intérieur du secteur agricole, il est indispensable également de réserver une part valable aux secteurs alimentaires autres que les céréales, tels que l'arboriculture, le maraîchage, la viande et le lait.
Ma deuxième remarque est que la recherche technologique et la recherche agronomique doivent être conçues et orientées selon un schéma directeur qui puisse privilégier le développement de la produc tion des produits de consommation de base et l'utilisation de techniques à coefficient d'utilisation de main-d'oeuvre aussi important que possible. J'insiste particulièrement sur ce dernier aspect vu la pression démographique qui s'exerce sur les structures agraires de nos pays en développement. L'emploi agricole, en effet, ou à un niveau plus élevé l'emploi rural, doit recevoir de plus en plus la priorité dans notre stratégie de développement. Nous rencontrons d'ailleurs un paradoxe au niveau de notre action de développement. Je prendrai un exemple, l'augmentation du rendement est tributaire, parmi d'autres éléments, de l'utilisatlbn de la mécanisation. Or, la mécanisation risque de contra rier la politique de l'emploi qui s'impose à nos pays dans les zones rurales. Il y a donc des options fondamentales à prendre pour orienter la recherche.
Ma troisième remarque:toute stratégie de développement des pays en développement doit prendre en considération les impératifs de développement socio-économique du monde rural et partant, tenir compte du fait de l'infrastructure de base en routes, équipement en écoles, dispensaires, administrations locales, structures de distribution et d'approvisionnement qui sont intimement liés au développement de la production et de nature à promouvoir culturellement et matériellement l'homme agriculteur qui est la base et la source de développement véritable que nous escomptons.
Quatrième remarque: il est nécessaire de réfléchir au niveau de chacun de nos pays en développement sur notre modèle actuel de consommation; notre faible autosuffisance actuelle n'est-elle pas une con séquence d'une structure de consommation partiellement ou totalement importée? N'est-il donc pas opportun, préalablement à la conception de toute stratégie de développement de la production alimen taire à long terme, de réfléchir sur le profil nutritionnel actuellement en vigueur dans chacun de nos pays et d'approfondir résolument la recherche sur les aspects nutritionnels des denrées vivrières locales dont les potentialités sont importantes au niveau de chacun de nos pays?
Je pense que la politique nutritionnelle doit se baser sur ces considérations et comprendre, pour sa mise en oeuvre pratique, la formation du personnel pour l'éducation et la vulgarisation dans le domaine de la nutrition.
Ma dernière remarque est relative au protectionnisme actuellement exercé dans le cadre des échanges internationaux. Je pense que si la montée actuelle du protectionnisme continue, les échanges commer ciaux avec les pays en développement risquent de diminuer et, partant, la possibilité que les pays en développement ont d'accéder à l'achat de biens d'équipement risque de s'atténuer. Déjà on a constaté une réduction du rythme d'augmentation des échanges avec les pays en développement et on a constaté la détérioration des termes de l'échange au niveau des pays en développement.
Nous ne pouvons donc qu'appuyer l'idée de libérer les échanges internationaux et ne point étouffer les économies encore jeunes des pays en développement qui luttent déjà sur le plan interne contre des contraintes physiques, techniques et sociales pour assurer à l'élan de leur développement une base sûre et saine.
Je pense que toute stratégie de développement internationale doit nécessairement, voire impérativement, comporter la libération des échanges internationaux comme partie intégrante de ces mécanismes essentiels.
J. D. JAVIER GAZZO (Peru) : Tengo el honor de referirme a las acciones de mi país en relación con las estrategias regionales y nacionales para el desarrollo. Aludo específicamente al documento Nu C 81/22, de magnífico contenido.
Los problemas del hambre y malnutrición deben encararse sin duda con acciones polisectoriales. Y dentro de este orden la producción de alimentos a nivel local es uno de los principales elementos, pero no el único.
Por ello recuerdo la mención que hizo el honorable Señor Ministro de Agricultura del Perú, Ingeniero Nils Ericsson, en su discurso en la FAO que mencionó la cita que hizo el Presidente Reagan en la reunión de Cancún, relacionada con el pensamiento de Confucio, y que dice así: "Si te doy un pescado, podrás comer un día; en cambio, si te enseño a pescar comerás para siempre". Entendemos que habría que comple tar esta frase pidiendo también que el que me enseñe a pescar me venda luego los insumos baratos-redes, cañas de pescar, etcétera-y no se aproveche de mis necesidades para venderme caras las herramientas necesarias para la propia pesca, y que luego además, cuando gracias a sus enseñanzas pesquemos exceden tes de peces nos los compre a buenos precios.
Creo que otro componente esencial es aquel del aprovechamiento de los alimentos nativos.
Cuentan los narradores de la historia del Imperio de los Incas que ya en esas épocas más de 10 millo nes de habitantes eran perfectamente alimentados con alimentos nativos. Solo a la llegada de los con quistadores. se introdujeron el trigo y los bovinos, y por ello se comenzaron a occidentalizar nuestros hábitos alimenticios. Hoy mi país importa cerca de 1 millón de toneladas de trigo por año y considera bles cantidades de carne bovina. Grasas y leche en polvo son también importadas haciendo una fuerte presión sobre nuestra balanza de pagos.
Solicitamos a la FAO su valiosa ayuda para rescatar estos cultivos incaicos. Tenemos más de 1 000 le guminosas nativas como los lupinos y otras de alto valor proteico como la quinoa y la cañihua, las cua les se están usando en escala comercial en el Peru. Sin embargo, queda mucho por hacer y es necesario también trabajar en esta dirección. Falta más investigación en aceites y grasas, en lupinos, algodón y palma aceitera. Solicitamos a FAO esta ayuda.
Otro- aspecto que debe ser estudiado es la transformación de productos perecederos en no perecederos. Vuelvo a mencionar a la papa seca que nos permite usar una tecnología incaica para no perder las papas en épocas de cosechas abundantes que no encuentran mercados de compra y que permite además usar tu bérculos de reducido tamaño, que no tendrían mercado precisamente por ser pequeños.
Es la agroindustria a nivel rural la que dará valor agregado a nuestros productos.
Debemos aprender también a consumir nuestras materias primas con los menores intermediarios posibles.
Puedo hacer una cita que ilustre esta idea. Peru fue el primer productor del mundo de harina de pes cado (fish meal) y la exportaba a buenos precios para que en los países desarrollados sirviera de ali mentos a los animales. Después los mismos países nos vendían la carne, los huevos y la leche a pre cios que no guardaban relación con lo que nos pagaban por la harina.
Al no existir una justicia internacional en el comercio, nos ha parecido lo más lógico que el hombre consuma directamente el pescado sin pasar por su transformación animal. Y hoy tenemos florecientes industrias de conservas de pescado, cuya producción es consumida en el interior del país y aun, en parte, exportada.
Otro sistema que está dando excelentes resultados en la nueva dinámica en el Peru del Arquitecto Belaunde Terry es el hacer que la actividad agrícola sea rentable, condición primordial de toda acti vidad humana; que no sea el campo el que siga subsidiando a la ciudad. Para esto se ha dictado una Ley de Promoción y Desarrollo Agropecuario que crea incentivos tributarios importantes, no pago de impuestos por 10 años a las actividades agrícolas; no pago de impuestos a las utilidades de cualquier actividad que reinviertan en el sector agrario; incentivos financieros a través de préstamos blandos a los agricultores y facilidades de nuevas tierras a los nuevos colonos y empresarios agrícolas. To das estas medidas, unidasal buen año agrícola, han permitido al Perú que tenga un crecimiento ré cord en el sector agrario del 11,4 por ciento, que ha venido a romper la falta de crecimiento que tu vimos en los últimos 10 años. Se ha apoyado fuertemente a la Oficina de Apoyo Alimentario,(Instituto de Investigación y Promoción Agropecuario) que-ha juntado finalmente la investigación, la extensión y el fomento agrícola en un solo Instituto, descentralizado, con financiación apropiada y oportuna.
Este Instituto tiene una participación muy importante en la FAO, a quien agradecemos esta labor. Además, se dice en forma muy eficiente el apoyo de los Organismos Internacionales, especialmente del Centro Internacional de la papa, en el que bajo la dinámica dirección del Dr. Richard Sawyer, hemos tenido logros excepcionales en la genética y en la agroindustria de la papa que ya mencioné.
Estas acciones, unidas al generoso apoyo de países hermanos como los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, Inglaterra, Alemania, Suiza, Holanda, Bélgica, Nueva Zelandia, Canadá y otros, que aunque no mencione son igualmente importantes. Con ellos tenemos proyectos en el campo que, unidos al Instituto ínter-americano de Cooperación para la Agricultura y otros, han creado una verdadera cruzada en la lucha con tra el hambre y la malnutrición, que cuenta con el decidido apoyo de nuestro Ministro Ericsson, quien toda su vida fue un agricultor que vivió en el campo.
Debo declarar, además, que la nueva Constitución de mi país, promulgada en 1979, establece en uno de sus artículos que el sector agropecuario tiene la primera prioridad en el país. En el Perú se está produciendo un regreso de la gente de la ciudad hacia el campo, a base de llevar un poco la ciudad al campo a través de nuevas infraestructuras rurales.
Todas estas acciones pueden tener éxito cuando se hace que la actividad agrícola sea rentable y no un cúmulo de subsidios ciegos. Creemos que hay que ser novedoso e innovador, desarrollando métodos de atacar los problemas.
Solo cuando, nuestros países no encuentran los medios de romper las cadenas de exagerada dependencia alimenticia se sienten desilusionados, frustrados e incomprendidos, y esta impotencia a veces se tra duce en violencia y en actos de fuerza.
Evitemos esto a través de un tratamiento más equitativo con los países en vías de desarrollo por parte de los países desarrollados.
Agradecemos, pues, nuevamente a la FAO la ayuda invalorable que nos ha dado para lograr estas impor tantes metas.
H. MARMILLA (Observateur pour la Communauté Economique Européenne) : Parmi les différentes recommandations delà stratégie internationale du développement pour la troisième Décennie, jfai l!intention de traiter deux points auxquels la Communauté internationale européenne attache une importance particulière: à savoir, la lutte contre la faim dans le monde et le commerce international de produits alimentaires. Pour ce qui est de la lutte contre la faim dans le monde la CEE souscrit entièrement au paragraphe 93 de la stratégie qui recommande aux gouvernements d'adopter des plans de stratégie alimentaire. En effet, déjà en 1980, le Conseil de la Communauté a pris position en faveur de cette stratégie internationale alimentaire définissant les principaux aspects qu'elle devrait revêtir. Il y a deux semaines à peu près cette recommandation du Conseil a été confirmée et renforcée d'une façon concrète, à la suite des résolutions de notre Conseil 1980; la Commission au titre de la Convention de Lomé et des actions en faveur des pays en voie de développement non associés s'est engagée à aider les pays qui le souhaite raient à définir et mettre en oeuvre leurs stratégies alimentaires nationales. La Commission a réitéré cet engagement en participant en novembre 1980 à la réunion de 19 pays africains soucieux de se doter de cette stratégie et à une réunion sur la stratégie alimentaire en Amérique latine qui s'est tenue à Mexico en février 1981. Individuellement liés, les Etats Membres assistent également les pays intéres sés pour définir les stratégies appropriées en fonction de leurs besoins. Dans le cadre des institu tions de la Convention de Lomé, la Commission a engagé avec les pays de l'Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique assistant à cette convention une réflexion sur la situation alimentaire dans leurs pays et la politique à mettre en oeuvre pour l'améliorer. En outre, la CEE et les pays ACPC se basant sur l'expé rience de plus de 20 ans de coopération ont mis au point des principes de base pour la mise en oeuvre de projets de développement rural. Entretemps, vue l'évolution de nos propres réflexions et l'avance ment des discussions dans de nombreuses enceintes internationales compétentes en la matière, la con viction d'approfondir ce que toute politique d'aide doit considérer dans leur complexité les problèmes qui se posent pour les pays en développement, c'est à dire que l'aide alimentaire doit être vue dans son contexte à l'aide du développement rural et aussi avec l'aide au développement général. Egalement faut-il voir dans leur ensemble, par exemple, les problèmes de la faim en contexte avec le développe ment rural et le développement économique en général qui inclut également des problèmes sociaux et autres dans les pays en voie de développement.
Ce sont les éléments qui se trouvent à la base de la conception que la Communauté vient d'élaborer dans son plan d'action contre la faim. La réalisation de la stratégie internationale de développement est l'objectif principal de ce plan. Il vise la mise en oeuvre d'actions coordonnées des Etats Membres et d'autres pays donateurs pour mettre en oeuvre des stratégies alimentaires cohérentes avec certains pays particulièrement touchés par la sous-alimentation.
Les actions régionales sont nécessaires pour lutter contre les causes de dégradation de la situation alimentaire de certaines régions. Par exemple, la désertification dans les zones sub-tropicales, la reconstitution de surfaces boisées et la meilleure utilisation du bois ainsi que la lutte contre les maladies endémiques. En dépit des plans d'action cela comporte toute une série d'éléments concrets ainsi que des procédures appropriées dans la coopération entre les pays donateurs et les pays en déve loppement intéressés dans la mise en oeuvre des stratégies.
Je passe maintenant au second point de mon intervention: le commerce international des produits agri coles traité au paragraphe 60 du texte de la stratégie. Afin d'illustrer l'intérêt que porte la Communauté au développement des relations commerciales avec les pays en voie de développement, j'aime rais mentionner deux instruments qu'elle a créés en faveur de ces pays: à savoir, la Convention de Lomé et le système des préférences généralisées. Je ne pense pas qu'il soit nécessaire d'expliquer par le détail la fonction de la Convention de Lomé étant donné qu'elle a déjà été signée par 61 pays en voie de développement y compris la plupart des pays les moins avancés. Puis-je me permettre de
rappeler que la première Convention garantissait déjà l'entrée dans la Communauté, tous droits exem ptés, de la plupart des produits en provenance des états EACP de la Convention à améliorer ce système en facilitant l’entrée des produits agricoles en provenance des états ACP. De même, le système stable concernant les recettes des exportations des états ACP a été amélioré pour ce qui est des produits couverts pair le mécanisme du fonctionnement dans le cadre du système des préférences généralisées. La Communauté en 1981 importait en provenance des pays en voie de développement non signataii'es de la Convention de Lomé les produits agricoles d'une valeur de 1,3 milliard d'unités de compte. Un nou veau régime a été instauré en janvier 1981 pour les dix années à venir et avec deux objectifs nouveaux, c'est à dire la simplification et la modulation du régime suivant les pays bénéficiaires. Je peux ajouter que des instances communautaires sont en train d'élargir le nombre de produits couverts par le système de préférences généralisées, notamment en faveur des pays les moins avancés, et d'augmenter les préférences pour une série de produits déjà couverts par le système à partir du premier janvier 1982. A coté de ces actions positives, il mérite d'être rappelé que la Communauté est le plus grand importateur mondial de produits agricoles; en outre, ces importations se développent continuellement tout comme le déficit de la CEE dans les échanges des produits agricoles; dans ce contexte je souligne qu'en 1979 ce déficit a atteint 34,1 milliards de dollars. A remarquer aussi qu'entre 1974 et 1979 les importations communautaires de produits agricoles en provenance des pays en voie de développement sont passées de 14,1 à 21,6 milliards de dollars: soit une augmentation de plus de 80 pour cent. Un taux de croissance d'ailleurs bien supérieur que celui des importations en provenance d'autres pays. C'est pourquoi au cours de cette période la part des pays en voie de développement dont les importations totales de produits agricoles de la CEE estpassée. de 41 à 50 pour cent. Aussi la CEE est-elle de loin le plus grand client des pays en voie de développement puisqu'elle abosrbe 50 pour cent environ de toutes les exportations agricoles de ces pays. Toutefois, cela ne veut pas dire qu'il n'y aura plus aucun problème dans leurs relations commerciales. Il faut savoir que la CEE, comme cela a déjà été le cas dans le passé, reste toujours disposée à examiner avec les pays intéressés les difficultés qui pourraient se poser pour leurs exportations et elle reste disposée à participer à tous les efforts entrepris sur le plan multilatéral pour améliorer les conditions d'échange pour les pays en voie de développement.
Cependant comme l'a fait apparaître le distingué délégué du Canada, concernant la recherche des pro grès, nous mettons également tous nos espoirs dans les travaux du GAP tels que pourrait les définir la réunion ministérielle prévue pour 1982. Nous considérons cette enceinte particulièrement compétente en matière de commerce international auquel il faudrait ajouter les problèmes spécifiques des pays en voie de développement.
A. GAC (Observateur pour l'Institut International du Froid): La lutte contre la faim et l'insécurité alimentaire implique une stratégie de production comme cela a été dit par tous les délégués mais aussi, nécessairement,, une stratégie de préservation de cette production. C'est cette dernière stratégie de la préservation dont je voudrais entretenir la Commission. La plupart des denrées de grande valeur nutritive et de composition alimentaire équilibrée sont périssables (lait, poissons, viandes, fruits et légumes). A la température ambiante les phénomènes d'altération sont rapides, de sorte que les pertes quantitatives de ces substances au cours de leur distribution représentent fréquemment du tiers à plus de la moitié de la masse initialement disponible. En outre, la part restante, offerte aux consommateurs, est le siège de modifications indésirables qui affectent certains composants essentiels, notamment les vitamines, les enzymes, les protéines pour ne citer que quelques-uns.
Enfin, même si l'aspect et le goût d'un produit sont satisfaisants, il peut subsister un risque, en raison du développement des germes pathogènes et de la production de toxines par ces germes. C'est pourquoi un moyen efficace d'accroître la ressource alimentaire consiste à ralentir les altérations et à arrêter celles qui sont dangereuses pour la santé.
Les techniques traditionnelles de conserve, comme le séchage et l’appertisation, permettent effective ment de mettre à la disposition des consommateurs une plus grande masse alimentaire; mais les produits ainsi traités peuvent être dans certains cas de moindre qualité diététique, spécialement s'ils sont consommés crus. Les techniques du froid, de la réfrigération et de la congélation sont sans doute celles qui respectent le mieux l'état initial des produits et par là même sont capables de réduire de façon très caractéristique les pertes alimentaires. En outre, elles préservent avec certitude leurs propriétés nutritionnelles, ainsi que les qualités hygiéniques.
Je n'insisterai pas beaucoup sur l'efficacité des techniques du froid car il existe une véritable unanimité de la part des nutritionnistes sur l'efficacité du froid pour la conservation de façon plus ou moins prolongée, selon le niveau de température atteint, de toutes les catégories de. denrées péris sables et de substances manufacturées altérables.
Par contre, les économistes reprochent aux techniques du froid la servitude de la constitution d'une chaîne du froid et leur coût, estimé à priori comme élevé et non compétitif.
En fait, la mise en place d'une chaîne du froid est effectivement nécessaire quand il s'agit, en macro-économie, de transporter des lots importants de denrées périssables vers des marchés plus ou moins éloignés de la zone de production; en outre, si le pays ne dispose pas d'une infrastructure routière, ferroviaire et portuaire suffisante et du personnel compétent, la création et l'exploitation d'une telle chaîne du froid peuvent être impossibles à bref délai.
Mais, en miero-économie, à l'échelle d'une communauté de producteurs consommateurs, telle qu'une bourgade ou d'un village, les techniques du froid exigent des équipements qui sont spécifiques, mais qui aujourd'hui sont simples et remarquablement fiables: une chambre froide, à parois en panneaux pré-fabriqués avec une machinerie autonome à compression entraînée par un moteur à essence ou diesel et dansun avenir prochain un système solaire thermodynamique ou bien une chambre froide équipée avec un groupe à absorption pouvant utiliser des capteurs solaires, peut rendre d'éminents services pour la conservation de certaines denrées-du lait frais, des poissons, des viandes ainsi que des vaccins et certains médicaments fragiles.
Il a été démontré clairement que l'usage du froid n'est plus un luxe, comme on le dit volontiers, et son prix de revient est compétitif par comparaison avec celui d'autres procédés considérés comme étant particulièrement économiques, ceci parce que des progrès technologiques et l'accroissement des séries de fabrication ont considérablement abaissé les investissements initiaux, parce que les machines sont maintenant d'un fonctionnement très sûr et parce qu'elles ont un rendement énergétique exceptionnellement élevé. Elles sont d'ailleurs de plus en plus adoptées dans les pays industrialisés comme moyen de chauffage ou de séchage des produits alimentaires ou industriels. Il s'agit de pompes à chaleur et de systèmes à recompression mécanique de vapeur.
Pour illustrer par un exemple très simple que les techniques frigorifiques ne sont plus des techniques de luxe, je dirais simplement que presque toujours la valeur des denrées alimentaires stockées est nettement supérieure aux investissements qui ont été consentis pour construire, isoler et équiper une chambre froide.
Pour les raisons que je viens d'exposer, l'Institut International du Froid (IIF), qui est un organisme intergouvernemental, créé en 1980 et ouvert à tous les pays et dont actuellement les pays membres re-présentent plus des 3/4 de la population du globle avec les pays qui ont adhéré à l'Institut, a pensé utile d'attirer l'attention des délégués à la Conférence générale de la FAO sur l'intérêt considérable des techniques du froid, quel que soit le niveau de développement économique des pays, pour une gestion plus économe et plus autonome de leurs ressources alimentaires. D'ailleures l'IIF a, spécialement depuis la fin de la seconde guerre mondiale, mis en place une politique d'information purement scienti fique et technique sur le froid pour les principales régions du globe et il a établi des liaisons régulières avec la FAO, avec laquelle d'ailleurs il va prochainement constituer un groupe de travail mixte sur l'équipement frigorifique pour les pays chauds.
Enfin, l'IIF a également pensé opportun d'inviter tous les pays, qu'ils soient membres ou non membres de l'Institut, à participer à son prochain Congrès international qui aura lieu à Paris début septembre 1983, parce que son thème ne peut que vous intéresser étant d'intérêt universel puisqu'il s'agit du "froid au service de l'homme".
AZIZUL HUQ (Observer for the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and Pacific): Document C 81/22, amongst other things, dwells on economic and technical cooperation among developing countries,as an instrument for the promotion of overall agricultural and rural development. Regional institutions to facilitate the exchange of ideas, information and skills are necessary to achieve this end through inter-country studies, inter-country training programmes and the dissemination of information.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations deserves to be congratulated for taking the initiative in this respect. On their initiative, and with the encouragement of other Agencies of the United Nations family, two such institutions have already been established, one for the Asia-Pacific region, which I represent, and the other for the countries of the African regions. These studies are essential for the promotion of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries, particular-ly those living in the same region.
The Asia-Pacific region has a diversity of experiences and some of the programmes that we are trying to promote relate to delivery systems in support of agricultural development, delivery systems in support of agricultural inputs particularly with reference to the small farmer and the under-served quarters of the rural areas. Prices of agricultural commodities, systems of price support, systems of incentives and systems of procurement, etc. These studies are assisted by the FAO, CIRDAP and CIRDAF. /
We have studies now going on about the role of rural youth in agricultural and rural development and the role of women in agricultural and rural development.
We have also started cooperating with other institutions making similar studies, such as very recently we conducted a study on rural technology, rural institutions and the rural poor in collaboration with the IDS. Similarly, we have done a consultation on employment promotion in the rural areas in coopera tion with ARTEP of the ILO.
LE PRESIDENT: Nous n'avons plus d'autres orateurs sur cette question. Je pense que l'on s'est suffisam ment exprimé là-dessus, nous allons donc passer la parole au professeur Islam qui va répondre aux questions et aux demandes d'information que vous avez formulées.
N. ISLAM (Assistant Director-General, Economie and Social Policy Department): We are happy to note that the Secretariat document on national and regional development strategies has been able to stimulate considerable discussion among the distinguished delegates. We appreciate that the distinguished delegates agree with our selection of the issues and of their relative importance. We have taken careful note of the various comments and suggestions made by them relating to their assessment of priorities in the context of their respective regions and countries. Comments have been made that the Secretariat document places too much importance on technological issues and less on social and institu tional issues. This is indeed partly true. As I indicated in my introduction, in order to avoid duplication with another document which will be discussed in Commission II in connection with WCARRD follow-up we thought we would produce this document to be viewed in the context of the other document so that we avoid duplication. One question has been raised as to whether the rate of increase in the use of fertilisers postulated in our analysis is not unrealistic in view of the rising cost and increas ing possibility of scarcity of fertilisers in the years to come. Our analysis indicates that the modernisation of agriculture in the developing countries and increased yield is not possible without substantial increase in the use of fertiliser per hectare. Of course this will imply that greater priority in the use of energy-intensive inputs is accorded to the agricultural sector. Of course this does not preclude, in fact it does have to be associated with, more efficient use of fertiliser through education extension training as has been emphasised by a large number of distinguished delegates associated with improved cultural practices as well as ways of improving and maintaining soil fertility. Other ways of maintaining and improving soil fertility should be explored. Reference has been made to the role of technological change in agriculture and the importance of technological innovations in accelerating the rate of growth. We agree and we indeed believe that the wider dissemination and more efficient use of low technologies holds the key to a considerable increase in agricultural production in developing countries. What is needed as many distinguished delegates have pointed out is greatly expanded location specific research at the national level, supported by exchange of experience between developing countries and by the International Research Centre. This is a subject also discussed in Commission II under a different agenda item.
The question has been raised by the distinguished delegate from Ethiopia as to why, in the International Development Strategy, the rate of growth of overall imports exceeds that of overall exports. Exports are postulated to increase 7. 5 percent whereas imports are postulated to increase at the rate of 8 percent per annum. In our analysis, which relates to only agricultural trade, not overall exports and imports, we have assumed a higher rate of growth of exports than imports but the IDS refers to the overall rate of growth of exports and imports. And since the assumption is that in the years to come there will be an increasing flow of external resources to the developing countries this is only consistent with a widening trade gap. There has to be an increase of net deficit in the balance of trade in order to make possible a larger flow of external resources to the developing countries. Therefore the assumption of the rate of exports and imports has to be consistent with the assumption of a widening trade gap as assumed in the IDS, and that has to be consistent with the increasing flow of resources which has been assumed in the IDS.
Experience indicates that as income grows demand for imports grows at a faster rate than the rate of growth of income. As you will recall in the IDS the rate of growth in income is 7% and the rate of growth of imports assumed to be 8% and the rate of growth of exports assumed to be 7. 5%, so the assump tions are internally consistent.
The question has been asked about "Agriculture Towards 2000" and its revised version. As the distin-guished delegates will recall, the provisional report was discussed by the Conference in 1979 and various comments and suggestions were made for its revision. The revision has been completed and the study is under printing now. As soon as we are able to get the printed copies it will be distributed to the member governments and we hope it will be very soon. It has been suggested that the Development Strategy should differ depending on the stages of development of various countries. In our analysis we have taken regions as a framework of analysis for distinguishing between selected priority issues. Regions differ also in terms of the stages of development-Latin America and the Near East differ significantly from Africa, Asia and the Pacific. They also differ in terms of other characteristics, socio-economic as well as ecological and physical resources. Again within each region one could certainly distinguish between low-income or high-income developing countries. As we have indicated in our introduction these selected issues are'not to"be considered in isolation. They and other issues have to be considered in an integrated manner, and their successful solution in most cases needs to be part of an overall and comprehensive approach so we entirely agree with all the distinguished delegates who have emphasised this point, that there has to be an integrated and comprehensive approach in coor dinating all areas of emphasis.
We agree with the distinguished delegate for Norway that consumption, production, distribution must be seen in their inter-relationships. The delegate from Norway has also pointed out the need to emphasise the wider aspects of food consumption issues in relation to changes in income as well as cultural, social and ecological factors. We in the Secretariat are working on these and related issues, in our work of analysis of consumption in the context of ongoing work on integration of nutritional objectives in agricultural and rural development projects. We hope in our nutrition paper to be submitted to thè 1983 Committee on Agriculture we would be able to place a great deal of emphasis on these and related aspects of food consumption issues.
The distinguished delegate from New Zealand pointed out that the paper does not single out the special problems of island developing countries such as in the South Pacific region. He is indeed right and we agree that these areas do need special treatment as has been recognised in the IDS itself.
Mention has been made of the need for consistency between economic cooperation among developing coun tries on a regional basis and national development strategies. We agree with this emphasis. We have assumed that economic cooperation among developing countries in the field of food and agriculture would proceed, would be carried out within the framework of the Programme of Action on Economic Cooperation among developing countries as adopted at the recent Conference at Caracas on ECDC convened by the developing countries. FAO of course stands ready to support and work with regional groupings to help in elaboration of programmes or in the implementation of programmes of economic cooperation among developing countries.
LE PRESIDENT: Merci M. le professeur Islam. Je pense que tous les délégués ont trouvé une réponse au travers de la déclaration du professeur Islam. Nous avons ainsi terminé l'examen du point traitant de la stratégie internationale du développement pour la troisième décennie des Nations Unies pour le développement ainsi que des stratégies régionales et nationales de développement. Le débat consacré a ce point important a été large et fructueux; 55 délégués de pays membres et quatre observateurs se sont exprimés. Les documents clairs et riches présentés par le secrétariat ont été dans leur ensemble appréciés, ce qui a permis aux membres de la Commission de porter leur intervention sur les aspects pratiques de la mise en oeuvre de la résolution de l'Assemblée générale des Nations Unies pour l'enrichir.
Plusieurs orateurs ont reconnu l'importance de cette résolution, ont exprimé l'espoir de voir celle-ci être suivie d'effets. La Commission a rappelé la nécessité pour chaque pays de prendre des mesures concrètes en vue de contribuer à l'intégration de l'économie mondiale et insisté à cet égard sur les interdépendances des économies des pays développés avec celles des pays en développement.
C'est pourquoi plusieurs délégués,qui ont relevé que la mise en oeuvre des stratégies nationales est avant tout l'affaire des pays en développement eux-mêmes, ont réaffirmé cependant que l'aide accrue des pays développés était une impérieuse nécessité si l'on veut accomplir un progrès substantiel vers l'autosuffisance alimentaire des pays déficitaires, autosuffisance indispensable à la sécurité alimentaire mondiale.
Plusieurs délégués ont souligné l'importance des objectifs de la stratégie internationale de développe ment pour la troisième décennie des Nations Unies pour le développement comme étant un pas important vers un nouvel ordre économique international fondé sur la justice et l'équité.
Plus ieurs délégués ont noté le nombre élevé de conférences et réunions internationales consacrées à cette question ainsi que les importantes mesures qui y sont arrêtées, mesures malheureusement peu suivies d'actions concrètes. C'est ainsi que certains délégués ont souligné que la quasi-totalité des pays développés ne jouaient pas le jeu de la solidarité internationale puisque le taux de 0,7 pour cent du PNB consacré à l'aide publique n'a été atteint que par un très petit nombre d'Etats et qu'en moyenne seulement 50 pour cent des objectifs ont été réalisés,
Certains délégués se sont inquiétés des égoïsmes des pays développés dont les mesures protectionnistes étouffent le commerce agricole des pays en développement. On a insisté sur la détérioration des termes de l'échange qui frappe les pays en développement exportateurs de matières premières et qui exige que des mesures soient prises pour l'enrayer. Plusieurs délégués ont souligné la nécessité de mettre en oeuvre les recommandations de la Conférence mondiale sur la réforme agraire et le développement rural, notamment en appliquant une politique de redistribution des terres équitable pour tous les ruraux.
Plusieurs délégués ont noté que l'humanité avait suffisamment de ressources et que celles-ci étaient mal utilisées et ils ont demandé que la course aux armements soit abandonnée au profit de la lutte contre la faim, la malnutrition et la misère dans le monde. A cet égard, on a suggéré que les budgets militaires soient distribués en faveur du développement et plusieurs délégués ont fait part de stratégies adoptées par leur pays dans le cadre de leurs contributions à la mise en oeuvre de la Stratégie internationale du développement pour la troisième Décennie des Nations Unies.
Des mesures visant à récupérer les terres actuellement incultes ont été proposées.
Le Programme Engrais a reçu un soutien unanime et beaucoup de délégués ont demandé son renforcement, demandant en même temps qu'un accent spécial soit mis sur l'utilisation des engrais organiques peu coûteux pouvant permettre aux petits agriculteurs d'accroître la productivité de leurs exploitations.
Beaucoup de délégués ont mis l'accent sur les efforts à déployer en faveur de la formation de l'homme, élément central dans la mise en oeuvre des stratégies du développement; de même, ils ont demandé qu'un accent particulier continue à être mis sur les pertes après récoltes.
On a insisté sur la mise en place, dans les pays en développement, d'une recherche adaptée à l'introduction d'une technologie peu coûteuse en rapport avec le milieu. On a suggéré que cette recherche concerne aussi bien les cultures vivrières de base que la production animale, la foresterie et les pêcheries.
Certains délégués ont insisté pour que, dans les négociations globales qui se tiennent dans le cadre des Nations Unies, les compétences de la FAO soient pleinement utilisées en tant qu'organisme spécialisé du système des Nations Unies dans les problèmes de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture.
Enfin, je rappelle une résolution visant à inciter les pays membres à tout mettre en oeuvre pour que le FIDA entre rapidement en possession des ressources qu'il a sollicitées depuis l’année dernière en vue de l'accomplissement correcte de sa mission. Cette résolution est en cours d'examen et nous sera soumise.
Ce sont là les principaux points sur lesquels se sont focalisés nos débats depuis hier. Selon la pratique habituelle, le Secrétariat en reprendra les points importants dans le projet de rapport qui sera examiné demain par le Comité de rédaction avant son adoption par la Commission.
Nous en avons terminé avec ce point et nous allons poursuivre nos travaux. J'en viens maintenant au noint suivant de notre ordre du i our :
Trois documents sont consacrés à ce point de l'ordre du jour :
Premièrement, le document C 81/25 "Energie et développement agricole et rural"; deuxièmement, le document C 81/25-Sup. l qui est un résumé du programme d'action de Nairobi pour les sources d'énergies nouvelles et renouvelables du point de vue notamment de l'énergie nécessaire au développement rural. Troisièmement, le document C 81/INF/18 qui reproduit le discours prononcé par le Directeur général à la Conférence des Nations Unies sur les sources d'énergies nouvelles et renouvelables qui s'est tenue en août 1981 à Nairobi.
Je donne maintenant la parole à M. Bommer, sous-directeur général chargé du Département de l'agriculture. qui va nous apporter des informations sur ce point de l'ordre du jour.
D. F. R. BOMMER (Assistant Director-General, Agriculture Department) : Food and energy are two of the urgent problems presently confronting many of the countries of the world. In introducing this topic, I will speak of three areas which are of major concern to FAO as indicated in the Director-General's address to the UN Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy which has been distributed to you for reference.
The first is the need for a substantial increase in the use of commercial energy by developing countries in order to speed up the rate of growth of their food production at this time of high energy costs.
The second is the fuelwood crisis, which affects developing countries in all regions.
The third is the question of how far agriculture can itself produce commercial energy, particularly liquid fuel, without prejudicing its primary role of feeding the world's population.
When discussing the need for additional energy inputs into agriculture, it is necessary to keep these energy requirements in perspective. Within the total economy, agricultural production is a rather modest consumer of commercial energy. We estimate that it accounts for about 3. 5 percent of all commercial energy used, in the world, and for about 4 percent of that used in developing countries. The proportion may be small, but for agriculture-and thus for food supplies-its importance is vital.
One of the immediate world food problems is the enormous difficulties of moving from tropical agriculture of the traditional type to modern farming systems capable of a sustained growth in production. At present there is no alternative to basing high yields on the use of energy intensive inputs such as fertilizers, farm machinery, pesticides and water pumping for irrigation. Without major research breakthroughs, and these are not presently in sight, the increased productivity of tropical agriculture, like that of the temperate zones, will continue to depend, at least in the next decade, largely upon an increasing use of commercial energy.
However, there is need for more research on technologies that would lessen dependence on energy-intensive inputs. For example, research into atmospheric nitrogen fixation by cereal crops and the developments in genetic engineering may ultimately prove to have practical applications in agriculture.
There is also scope for some conservation and substitution of commercial energy inputs. Improved fertili zer management through proper placement and timely application, recycling of organic materials, and biological systems for integrated pest control are several ways that reliance on commercial energy inputs can be reduced while agricultural production is increased on a sustained basis.
Turning to the second major area of concern, the problems created by pressure on firewood resources in many developing countries is now acute. This is well illustrated in the Fuelwood Situation Map in developing countries prepared by FAO for the UN Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy which has been distributed to Delegates. According to out figures more than 100 million people live in areas where there is already an acute scarcity of firewood. Over a far wider area, the felling of trees and scrub currently exceeds regrowth. If present trends are allowed to go unchecked, shortages will affect over two billion people by the century.
When fuelwood becomes scarce, rural people, particularly women and children, have to spend an increasing amount of time or money from their limited resources to collect or purchase fuelwood; in acute scarcity situations people may find themselves unable to cook their food and warm their homes.
Further, this problem also has a multiplier effect on the environment. The clearance of trees and vegetation permits erosion and flood in lower catchments, thus affecting food production, and in cases of severe damage compromising the viability of agricultural land. Also the burning of dung and other wastes as a substitute for wood reduces the amount of organic fertilizer available on the farm as well as feed for cattle.
The improved conservation and management of fuelwood resources, and technological improvements such as more efficient stoves, are indispensable measures for resolving the fuelwood problem. However, they can be expected to have an effect only in the medium term. Therefore, particular emphasis must be given to the massive planting of woodlots for fuel, using quick-growing species. We estimate that on average, a five-fold increase in current planting levels is urgently needed. Such programmes are by no means easy; they require a great deal of organization, and they usually fail if local populations are not involved.
In the meantime, we must recognize that many areas will face-or indeed may find themselves in a fuelwood emergency already-and this calls for immediate action. The only short-term measures that can be envisaged involve the supply of charcoal from far away or the substitution of other fuels such as kerosene for wood. Where there is no other option open, governments should be ready to promote and subsidize an approach of this type and the international community should be ready to assist low income countries in areas of fuelwood emergency.
The last of the three issues which I have raised is the extent to which agriculture can itself provide commercial energy, notably in the form of liquid fuel.
The distillation of ethanol from sugar cane, maize, and other crops as a substitute for gasoline has been the main focus of attention by countries considering biomass energy programmes. At this stage, the extent!to which "energy cropping" of this type is undertaken appears to depend on government policies rather than on market forces.
The potential contribution of liquid fuel from agricultural crops may easily be overestimated. In fact it is quite limited. For example, had the entire 1978 world production of cereals, root crops and sugar been converted to ethanol, it would have met less than 83 percent of the world's 1978 automobile gasoline need and only 6 percent of the world's total consumption of commercial energy.
The world food situation is already highly insecure without the new competition of energy cropping for scarce land and other agricultural resources. Therefore, when programmes for conversion of agricultural crops to energy are being considered,it is urged that priority be given to food needs, particularly the honouring of food aid commitments and the promotion of food security.
There may be a greater potential for producing fuel from other forms of biomass, such as cellulose from woody plants. However, in developing countries, programmes for production of commercial fuel from biomass must effectively safeguard the interests of rural populations, especially their supply of food and fuelwood.
Agricultural and rural energy problems impinge on many different parts of FAO's work, and the Organizat ion needs to be in a position to provide effective advice and assistance to member governments in this area. This need is particularly evident since the United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy adopted the Nairobi Programme of Action which identified rural energy as one of the major priority areas. The Director-General, therefore proposes to give greater emphasis to energy questions in FAO programme, with special attention being given to conservation measures and to the fuelwood programme as well as the development and promotion of new and renewable sources of energy.
The Conference is invited to renew the broad question of energy in agriculture and rural development, formulate policy guidelines on the major national and international issues, and advise on future action. The discussion can also offer the opportunity for you to provide information on the effects of energy problems on the agricultural and rural sectors of your countries and on the measures taken to meet them. Such information is not readily available at present and will be of considerable help to FAO in its future work.
J. J. PEREIRA REIS (Portugal): La Delegation portugaise félicite le secrétariat pour la présentation de ce document bien élaboré,non seulement pour la manière succincte dont le problème est exposé, mais encore pour les perspectives suggérées en vue de sa résolution.
Le Portugal, comme les autres pays, a ressenti profondément l'aggravation de la situation économique résultant de la hausse rapide du prix du pétrole, étant donné que c'est là notre principale source d'énergie. . .
Ce fait, conjugué avec la hausse du dollar, a exercé une influence négative sur l'a Balancé "dès paie ments et a contribué à accélérer le processus inflationniste, qui a eu des répercussions extrêmement néfastes pour le développement de l'agriculture dans mon pays.
Effectivement, la hausse du coût des facteurs de production qui en est résultée, notamment des com bustibles, des engrais, des pesticides, etc. , a constitué un obstacle à la modernisation de notre agri culture et a agi comme un facteur de démobilisation des actions que l'on se proposait de mettre en oeuvre dans ce secteur.
C'est pourquoi mon pays envisage avec le plus vif intérêt le recours à l'utilisation d'autres sources d'énergie, tout particulièrement des sources renouvelables.
Actuellement sont en cours quelques projets d'investissement orientés dans ce sens, et, simultanément, on s'efforce d'augmenter la production de matières premières à usages multiples, susceptibles d'être utilisées à cet effet. Tel est le cas, par exemple, de la production forestière, à laquelle on a ap porté une attention spéciale et que l'on s'efforcera mutuellement de développer, moyennant le boisement de terrains sans vocation agricole. , actions qui sont cofinancées par l'Etat portugais et par la Banque Mondiale.
D'autre part, conscient des difficultés qu'il traverse pour ce qui est de l'obtention de biens alimen taires (l'importation de ces biens atteint près de 50%), mon pays ne pourra s'engager dans la voie du recours inconsidéré à de nouvelles sources d'énergie qui risqueraient d'affecter le développement des cultures alimentaires, bien qu'il souhaite et encourage l'utilisation intégrale des sous-produits cor respondants, quand ils sont susceptibles d'être utilisés à cet effet.
Pour toutes ces raisons, la Délégation portugaise se félicite des initiatives de la FAO, non seulement pour la somme de documentation utile qu'elle a produite dans ce domaine, mais encore pour la récente décision d'instituer le Réseau de Coopération Européenne pour les Energies Rurales Renouvelables, au quel mon pays ne manquera certainement pas d'adhérer et auquel il désire participer activement; et nous formons des voeux pour que les échanges d'expériences qui en résulteront soient une source de bénéfice non seulement pour les pays qui en feront partie, mais encore pour toute la communauté internationale,
WU TIAN XI (China) (original language Chinese): We have read document C 81/25 with great interest. I would now like to put forward my view on several issues raised in the document, and give a brief account of energy and agriculture in China.
We believe that it is entirely necessary to formulate a national policy and a planning system of energy and agriculture by proceeding from the specific conditions of the respective countries and combining their immediate needs with long-term interests through overall planning.
With regard to national energy policy, we agree with the view expressed in paragraph 72 of this document, that it is, to assure the supply of commercial energy required for production, and the use of inputs in the agricultural sector. This matter is indispensable to the developing countries for the future deve lopment of agricultural production. At the same time one should derive lessons from depending entirely on commercial energy to develop agriculture.
Apart from the rational use of commercial energy and efforts exerted to economize it, we should actively tap and utilize new and renewable energy on the basis of exploration of energy resources with a view to discovering new energy sources and effecting economic and efficient use of energy so that more energy can be used in agriculture to provide favourable conditions for developing production and improving people's livelihood.
In order to attain this goal, the international community must organize the manpower concerned to strengthen the scientific research work on energy in agriculture, particularly the research work on the development and use of new and renewable energy. It is an issue which merits our attention in the Medium-term Action.
In the meantime, we have also noted that the rural areas in many developing countries are short of fuel, which affects peasant's lives seriously. If this problem is not solved in time, land vegetation would be devastated further, thus resulting in a more serious soil erosion threatening food and agricultural development in the future. Hence, we endorse the mesures put forward by the Director-General in his speech at the Nairobi Conference.
Mr, Chairman, please allow me now to give you a brief introduction about energy in China's agricul ture and our current practices
According to recent estimate, the total annual consumption of energy used directly for agricultural production and people's livelihood in China's countryside is equivalent to over 300 million tons of coal, accounting for 40% of the total energy consumption in China. However, it still cannot meet the ever-rising requirement of expansion in agricultural production and betterment of the peasants' lives. Moreover the use of energy is not yet rational as desired.
For solving this problem, we have primarily adopted two measures:
One is to strengthen the management of farm machinery and strive to reduce fuel consumption; to improve the methods of applying chemical fertilizers and pesticides, so as to cut down the doses of their application; to encourage the use of organic fertilizers and the growth of green manure crops; to popularize in a big way different kinds of firewood-saving or coal-saving stoves and try every possible means to reduce fuel consumption in the rural areas.
The other is to encourage tapping energy resources in rural areas according to local conditions. In the barren hills and barren land suitable for afforestation, farmers are encouraged to plant trees for firewood production. Water resources is utilized and small coal mines are set up in a planned way. In 1980, small coal mines in China's rural areas produced 100 million tons of coal; nearly 90. 000 small hydro-electric stations were constructed; their total capacity is over 10 billion kilowatts per year. In vast rural areas of China, 6 million biogas digesters were built up, usually with one digester for one family. Human and animal excretions as well as crop stalks are used to generate biogas so as to satisfy the farmer's needs in their daily lives. Wastes from biogas digester can also be used as organic manures. Practice in the past few years has proved that biogas is a kind of energy in the rural areas that is characterized by small size, less investment, quicker result and easy construction by small farmers. Besides, the Chinese government provides the rural areas with large quantity of commercial energy at preferential prices and begins to make use of solar energy, wind energy and geo-thermal energy.
In short, our energy development policy in the rural areas is to develop multiple-energy sources. Now we are carrying on regional classification of energy in the rural areas and undertaking energy development there according to China's present policy of energy and in a planned way. We look forward to intensified international co-operation in this field and further exchanges of information and experience so as to advance our cause jointly.
T. ONUL (Turkey): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dependence of agriculture on non-renewable energy resources has had profound effects on this sector, especially in the developing countries. The cost of energy dependent inputs have increased, resulting in the decrease of productivity rates, which were already very low in the developing countries. It seems that the energy requirements in agri culture will not be replaced by sources other than fossil fuel in the near future. Therefore, it is necessary to conserve energy in machinery, fertilizers and pesticides use. As an example, ferti lizers could be applied after determining the actual requirement by leaf and soil analysis. FAO could assist the developing countries, under a special programme, in the establishment of these necessary laboratories.
Another important practice for saving fertilizer use is the inclusion of food and feed legumes in the crop rotation systems which has double benefit and reduced requirements for external inputs. We have concentrated our efforts in this practice.
We would like to comment on the use of solar energy in agriculture. The use of this type of energy is handicapped by the high initial investment costs. Therefore, international aid organizations should consider the construction of pilot greenhouses and storage facilities as models for the develop ing countries, so that increased use of solar energy in intensive agriculture can be accomplished.
Another source of energy which has big potential is bio-gas. However, more research is needed for this practice, especially in areas where long and cold winters prevail.
Wood as fuel is the main source of energy used by 90 percent of the population in the developing countries. Therefore, the efforts spent in the more efficient use of forests, planting fast growing species, forest improvement, increasing firewood production, transportation, and the use of recycled forest products, must be according to modern methods and cooperation among the countries must be initiated.
In conclusion, it seems that the dependence on fossil fuel will continue for some time. Therefore, it is necessary to carry the research efforts for using renewable energy resources at all levels through international cooperation, while implementing non-renewable energy conservation programmes. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
MRS. SAODAH SJAHRUDDIN (Indonesia): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My delegation wishes to express its compliments to the Secretariat for the excellent job they have done in document C 81/25, C 81/25 Supp. 1, and C 81/INF/18. Also I would like to congratulate Mr. Bommer on his very comprehensive introduc tion.
Mr. Chairman, my delegation would like to reiterate its support to the objective of the Nairobi Programme of Action, which is to promote the concerted action in the field of new and renewable sources of energy in helping to meet the future overall energy requirements. On this occasion my delegation would like to, firstly, point out on the energy from agriculture and for agricultural activities, and its possible substitution, or at least complementarity, promotion of drought animal power through credit provision for small farmers will help in saving the fossil fuel energy use in the food and agricultural sector in addition to the provision of facilities in creating more cash income to the farmers. Such scheme has been implemented integrally in the Indonesian agricultural development. Although it is not substitutable the use of chemical fertilizer can at least be re duced down to the most efficient manner by mass utilization of organic fertilizer for food pro duction and argicultural development. The practice of recycling of crops and animal residue will be of great benefit in maintaining soil fertility and can partly replace the use of mineral fertilizer. Composting both of urban and rural wastes is another great potential to reduce the use of fossil fuel energy for fertilizer. This is the positive side effect of the main objectives which are to maintain and improve soil fertility, to improve land productivity, and to betterment the environmental health of human life.
The use of wood as a source of fuel in Indonesia plays an important role, more than 50 percent of the total energy consumption coming from fuelwood. Available data indicates that there is a deficit of about 10 to 12 million cubic metres of fuelwood per annum.
Measures have to be taken by the government to increase fuelwood production to fill the gap. Identi-fication of suitable wood species for fuelwood will be needed. At the same time, there should be an improvement of fuelwood technology and store design. Improvement in the combustible value of fuel-wood will lead to efficiency and a decrease in consumption.
The programme also includes the promotion of agricultural waste, like sawdust, padi and cornstalk, etc. as a source of household energy. As a complementary effort, the use of other sources of energy, such as cattledung, etc. should also be encouraged. Logging waste outside Java covers about 40 per cent of the total production. This waste can be used as a source of raw material for charcoal which can be efficiently transferred to other regions as charcoal briquettes.
Let me now turn to my Government's policy. The Government's policy on energy sources is directed towards the following objectives:
To diversify sources of energy and energy consumption. In line with this policy, the Government has taken several actions to increase energy sources. Among others, they are to grow various fast-growing trees through re-afforestation and greenery programmes; to develop the technology of charcoal; to increase and develop hydropower on a small scale for the rural areas; to select higher varieties of cows and buffalos for meat and animal draughts; and to expand the use of electricity in the rural areas;
To introduce the new technology into rural areas so as to save as much energy as possible. For example, by introducing the energy-efficient stove.
With regard to energy for rural development, this has been the priority of the Government's projects since the Second Five-Year Development Plan. Several research projects on small-scale energy resources have been done and the results have been applied in some rural areas. Research on these subjects is on vario. us levels:fuelwood has long been in use by the majority of rural communities. The problem is to increase the supply by the selection of fast-growing trees that can grow in various climatic condi tions, The residue of crops has been used traditionally by the rural population. Biogas is now being promoted for utilization in the rural areas. The FAO Technical Cooperation Programme has made a posi tive contribution to the development of biogas in Indonesia. . Ethanol production from cassava: research is still at the laboratory level and a pilot project is under construction. Micro-hydro-power has been practised in some rural areas with satisfactory results. The problem is to maintain the water resources and to protect the catchment and the water-shared areas. The use of draught animals has been a tradition for a long time. However, today the small peasants cannot afford to buy a buffalo or a cow since they have to compete with the butchers. The ones who are wealthy enough would rather use a minitractor.
Solar energy has also been used traditionally by rural peoples for drying. Better technology is introduced so as to have the optimum benefit of the solar heat. Solar energy for pumping water, and other possible applications of it, is still on trial in the laboratory. Wind energy is at the experimental stage in the Eastern Indonesian area which geographically has advantages for this technology. Tide energy has also been explored and is still at the research stage.
The Government has also developed large electricity projects in order to reach the target that will give everybody the benefit of electricity. This development includes hydroelectric power, a diesel system, geothermal energy, natural gas and nuclear energy. This is still being initiated.
V. KRENTOS (Cyprus): It is an understatement to say that we share with most countries the concern about the deterimental effects of the energy crisis on food production and agricultural development which year by year is becoming more serious. Document C 81/25 projects the problem and offers an action-oriented process. We agree with the assessment of the Secretariat that we should not allow energy "cropping" to compete with food production. However, we do not wish to imply any criticism but rather to point out that this document is a descriptive report, in effect an inventory of what can be done in a number of areas. We would rather request the Secretariat to provide a critical review of what can be done in each sub-sector of energy for agriculture.
We do believe that this document provides numerous subjects for research and development but we would like to see one or two sectors emphasized more. One of them is the utilization of solar energy in agricultural development and in agricultural production. The other one is the efficient use of fertilizers and pesticides, for if they are used meticulously, indirectly we shall be putting less energy into producing a unit of food. With respect to nitrogen fixation, I think this is being given more attention than it deserves in that it also appears in some documents in another commission.
There is another aspect of concern and that is the proliferation of interest from various directions with somewhat different approaches and to some extent different objectives and varying degrees of emphasis on what should really be done.
We would like FAO to focus qn these aspects and really direct a global and a regional approach which would in effect provide the means for introducing and developing sources of energy for agricultural and rural development.
I think those are the mainpoints which I would like to put before the Commission.
S. MURTZA (Pakistan): My delegation appreciates the excellent documents which have been prepared by the Secretariat, that is C 81/25 and C 81/25 Supp. l on Energy in Agricultural and Rural Development and the Summary of the Nairobi Programme of Action on New and Renewable Sources of Energy with particular Reference to Energy for Rural Development.
It analyses well, in very broad terms, the utilization of energy for agriculture, energy from agriculture and rural energy systems in developing countries. FAO's activities in the past in this field were praiseworthy but, at the same time, in view of the recent developments in the field of energy, a more concerted effort at national and international levels cannot be postponed any further.
We agree with the conclusions of this report and the mid-term action as outlined.
Agriculture must continue to recieve an increasing share of the commercial energy. An increase of 2 percent in . the use of commercial energy can achieve a one percent growth in the production of crops and in livestok productions. With our aim of increasing production at a rate not only to provide sufficient food supplies to the hungry, but also to cope with the increasing demand as a result of the growing population of the world, we can work out the neccesary increase in the use of energy in this sector. On the other side, with the present picture of energy supplies in the world, its prices and prospects for availability, and costs in future, it would be timely if we were to start looking for and utilizing new and renewable sources of energy in the field of agriculture.
There is a need for detailed studies and some action programmes in this field, particularly with reference to rural development in Pakistan. However, the regional development pattern as depicted in the FAO document, coupled with the available national figures, provides an interesting feature. Pakistan meets about two-thirds of its energy requirements from domestic sources. Oil constitutes a major import with foreign exchange costs approaching $2 billion annually. Although only 6. 14 percent of oil energy is used in agriculture, high costs are becoming a constraint to food and agricultural production. 58 percent of chemical fertilizers, consumed at 54 Kgs. per hectare of nutritent, although only 30 percent of the recommended level, is still imported by us. The costs involved for this energy-intensive input are probably the single most important constraint in the crop sector.
In Pakistan we do not expect to completely mechanize agriculture very soon. We are, as a policy measure, going for selective mechanization and importing 15 to 20 000 tractors every year. Draught animals and human power, while sharing in this field, is expected to dominate the next twenty years, which at present would be as estimated for the Near East in the FAO document. As such, it is a welcome proposal to improve draught animal power through better breeding and improving the implements which are used with the animals. It will in fact help almost all of the developing countries.
Whereas crop and livestock production sector catches attention the energy crisis in agriculture must be viewed in the totality of crop and livestock production, forestry and fisheries sub-sectors in agriculture and rural energy systems. The inter-relationship and inter-actions of various sub-systems of agro-rural-energy systems are too vital to be ignored. This necessitates provision of assistance to the developing countries, to integrate energy considerations into all aspects of agricultural and rural development and in the formulation of related medium and long-term energy strategies, plans and programmes. A survey conducted in 1978 provides a glimpse of household, that is non-commercial fuel energy consumption per year in Pakistan. Utilisation is as follows: Fuel wood-450 million cft fuel wood equivalent. Fossil fuel-140 million cft fuel wood equivalent. Cow dung-210 million cft fuel wood equivalent. Agricultural residues-110 million cft fuel wood equivalent.
The ramifications are intersectoral and obvious to a discerning eye.
We propose that FAO may support a regional research/development (that is, R and D) project in this field. This is not the proper occasion to give details but ongoing regional projects like the one for Asia and the Pacific on improving soil fertility through organic recycling including biogas and Training Centre for Africa on fuel wood and charcoal production which is under preparation could provide broad guidelines suitably amended to suit the needs and conditions prevailing in the region. Research in some major fields can, however, be suggested. This, of course, would not restrain research work on more efficient use of energy in the field of agriculture from conventional resources of commercial energy and increased utilisation of energy from new and renewable sources. These are: improved methods for the application of fertilisers, proper placement in the soil, timing of applications to coincide with nutrient demands of different crops, split dozes to reduce leeching, better agronomic practices such as timely sowing and better water management to enhance efficiency of fertiliser use; choice of fertiliser materials, that is, slow releasing fertilisers; development of crop varieties that require less nutrients, are disease and pest resistant, have higher photosynthetic and bio-mass production efficiency; land development, soil preparation and conservation and management systems ensuring less requirement of fertiliser and reduction in fertiliser losses etc.
Fertiliser substitution would be another field where research is necessary, that is, fertiliser partly replaced by the greater use of such practices for maintaining fertility as crop rotations, catch-cropping, lay farming with a legume rotation, recycling of crop and livestock residues, and associated management problems; combination of mineral and organic fertilisers; increased use of nitrogen fixing legumes, the blue-green algae, water fern azolla, plant breeding, and genetic research to transfer the nitrogen fixing capacity to food crops such as cereals and roots, etc.
Then we come to farm machinery. Increased efficiency through proper choice of designs, horse power, improved tillage systems, and practices including the concept of minimum tillage, better maintenance and tuning of engines, use of diesel engines, choice and design of proper implements/equipment which are matching with the power units; proper condition of implements; improvement in animal and human power used tools, equipment, etc. could have great benefit.
Irrigation. Water should also be used more efficiently. There should be enhanced efficiency in conveying on-farm systems, use of gravity systems, renovation of inefficient irrigation systems, proper layout distribution, drainage, land grading, and levelling better implements and water application methods.
The same applies to pesticides where cooperative resistance to various tests would certainly reduce the utilisation of energy in this field.
The Nairobi Programme of Action envisages mobilisation of financial resources for its implementation in various parts of the world. My delegation invites the attention of FAO and donor countries to come forward and provide assistance in the form of technical know-how and finances for project preparation and implementation by the developing countries.
My suggestions for such assistance would include practical projects in the field of social policy, efficient fuel-wood cookers, solar crop drying, solar cookers, which could be provided to rural families, windmill for water lifts which would help in multiple cropping, mini-hydro power plants, possible on small streams or canals, or in countries with large canal irrigation'systems. These projects we feel certainly need support, under the present environment, as they would play a very important role, not only in agricultural progress, but also in rural development.
J. ROWINSKY (Poland): Since the outbreak of the energy crisis the energy consumption in agriculture became an essential problem, not only for the developing countries, but also for the developed ones. The reason for it is that modern agriculture uses, both in direct and indirect form, much more energy than traditional agriculture. This does not mean that while modernising agriculture it is impossible to influence the volume of used energy in this sector of the economy. There exist less and more energy consuming technologies and the total energy consumption in agriculture depends on which tech nology is chosen. The choice of the proper solutions is a vital issue which is confirmed by the experience of Poland, Recently Poland is going through considerable energy troubles caused by the decrease of coal output and by the necessary limitations of oil imports. The shortage of energy is now one of the bottlenecks of the national economy. In this situation, the problem of sensitiveness of agriculture to reduced direct energy supplies emerged in a particularly sharp form. This question may also be of interest to other countries. It appears that agriculture strongly responds to a reduction of energy deliverance. It is a consequence of some features of agricultural production such as the necessity of performing field works in due time, recurrence of some works such as animal feeding and primarily of the fact that live plants and animal organisms participate in agricultural production and that specified environmental conditions must be ensured for them. .
The industrialised technologies and also some traditional ones are particularly responsive to energy supplies. In traditional technologies substitute solutions are usually feasible, for example, using as fuel timber or peat instead of coal. The responsiveness grows with modernisation of agriculture. Thus, farmers who gave up horse traction and used tractors are helpless when running short of fuel and lubricants, and unable to perform field works then. The most dependent on energy supplies are the industrialised technologies of animal breeding and plant cultivation in greenhouses. In some cases, even a short break in energy supply during the production cycle may completely destroy the production. For example, the power cut-off on a chicken farm for a few hours only can bring about the death of all the fowl. The consequences of a break in greenhouse heating may be similar. In big farms of cattle and pig fattening which are highly mechanised the shortage of energy renders it impossible to feed the animals and to remove waste, and in milk cow farms also to milk cows.
As it appears from the above observations some agricultural technologies are extremely responsive to energy shortage. Their sensitiveness can be compared with that of industries which for technological reasons have to be in a continued operation, or those in which some of the operations e. g. mine drainage must be performed permanently regardless of whether the basic production is going on or not.
In time, when there is a lack of energy, the agriculture must be regarded as a particularly protected sector of the economy. That is because a reduction of energy supplies in some situations may account for a drastic decline of agricultural production.
We limited our observations to the use of energy in agriculture in a direct form, but we would fomu-late the same conclusions if we analysed the use of energy in agriculture in the indirect form.
By way of general conclusion, we may say that the new technologies marked for higher direct energy intensity than those applied so far or requiring new energy sources should be introduced in agriculture very carefully. Sometimes a less modern technology which would, be less energy intensive and which would allow the comeback to a traditional technology in case of energy difficulties might prove the more advantageous. This is an assumption worth consideration in the global strategy of agricultural development, if only for the reason that world energy problems will rather increase than diminish.
I would like also to raise another question. Poland attaches great meaning to the work of the European research network dealing with renewable energy sources. Two important Polish research centres joined the network and we expect very much in the 80s from the cooperation in this field. The problems tackled by the network are of such a nature that the results will be useful not only for the participationg countries but also for countries in other regions.
D. IYAMABO (Nigeria): When you do not speak first you run the risk of repeating what earlier speakers have said but sometimes such repetition is desirable as it lays emphasis on the topics that are repeated. In any case I will try as much as possible, to minimise such repetition. I join others in congratulating the FAO on this paper and Dr. Bommer for its excellent way of presentation. We share the emphasis on fuel wood as a source of energy but I would wish that the emphasis is really not just on fuel wood but on forests and trees. Supply of fuel wood is just one of the possible derivations from forests and trees. As was mentioned; trees help in the stabilisation and conservation of the soil, which are essential for continuous agricultural production. They supply food, cylinders for housing and things like that.
I think one has to emphasize that the areas that are short of fuelwood are usually areas that are very sparse in natural vegetation, so when we are talking of fuelwood for energy we are talking of affores tation on a very massive scale, and I hope this is borne in mind.
With regard to liquid fuel from agricultural crops -- sugarcane, cereals -- we share the fears of the FAO. My part of the world, Africa, is one of those with the greatest food problems for human beings, and from all indications, the prospects in the next decade or so are certainly not very encouraging. An energy source which would compete with human requirements would certainly not be in one's interest, or perhaps would need to be looked at more closely before it is pushed. Both the paper and its presen tation, to my mind, left out major areas which have been mentioned by other speakers. Whether this omission was deliberate or not, I do not know. Certainly the potentials for the use of solar energy are extremely high and as is well known, the areas in which such fuelwood is required very much are areas where solar energy is quite high, and certainly solar power in all these areas are in parts of the world which have been developed quite well now and certainly could be used in these very rural areas where agriculture is practiced.
Also no mention was made of windmill energy. In many areas this is the traditional source of energy, and I think there are now very excellent and very efficient windmills. I think these should be also explored.
No mention too was made of hydro-electiric power by the last speaker. The other speakers have mentioned this. There are a lot of structures of hydro-electric power, large ones, and certainly for agriculture there is no reason why we cannot have small dams which can irrigate also supply power for a limited area. I think this is an area which needs to be looked at, and the possibilities advanced.
The use of animal wastes and agricultural wastes gives one a bit of worry, except that additional information is available. Surely, the animal wastes could be used for organic fertilizers. Most of our soils in Africa are very fragile, and the use of mineral fertilizers gives a boost, in many cases a temporary boost, but does nothing at all in helping to stabilize the soil, but organic fertilizers will, to a greater extent, do this. The other agricultural wastes like grain, like maize and so on, have other uses, and I think one should not close one's eyes to this completely. It may be the economics of these other possible uses should be thought of before one thinks in terms of using this waste as fertilizers. Now, all these and other points mentioned by others require considerable research in forestry production; one or two very fast growing species; in many cases in very difficult sites such as sugarcanes, fertilizers and fertilization; research and agricultural production systems which would use less-intensive energy systems.
I hope all this will be borne in mind by the FAO and that the FAO will match this in giving a lead with regard to harnessing these possible sources in the aid of the developing countries.
M. SANKARANARAYANAN (India):I would at the outset compliment the FAO Secretariat for highlighting, in a comprehensive manner, the energy problem in agriculture and rural development in the developing countries at this critical juncture when the developing countries are fighting hard to find a solution to the energy crisis. It has been rightly emphasised by the FAO Secretariat that agricultural produc tion uses a very small proportion of the total consumption of commercial energy but its assured supply and more efficient and economical use are necessary for the rapid growth of agricultural production, particularly in the developing countries. This has become all the more important in view of the worsen ing world food situation. In the recent years the increase in the world food production was very marginal and consequently the per caput food supplies have fallen over the last two years. Food produc tion, in the developing countries as a whole, though increasing faster than in the developed countries, remained well below the target of 4 per cent envisaged in the international development strategy for the Second Development Decade. All these factors have made the world food security precarious. It is, therefore, very important that the energy requirements of agriculture and allied sectors are met in full in the developing countries to back up the efforts for augmenting food production in these countries.
The FAO Secretariat has in Part V of the Document identified the key issues which have to be consider ed in the formulation of agricultural and rural energy policy at national and international levels. Besides assured supplies of commercial energy required for production of energy intensive inputs, these issues envisage keeping a close watch on the farm price relations, reorientation of research and extension services to provide conservation of fossil fuel, integration of tree growing for fuel with agricultural policies and stimulation of participation of local communities, individual farmers,in this effort, priority in national energy policies of developing countries to the needs of their rural poor communities etc We are in full agreement with this 'approach.
The energy policy of the Government of India in the case of agriculture and rural development fully recognises the need for exploitation of renewable resources of energy, like energy forestry and bio-gas, especially to meet the energy requirements of rural communities, more efficient use of animal and human power in agricultural operations, persuing application of new energy sources, intensifying R and D activi ties relating to application of new sources of energy specifically solar energy in the agricultural sector and improving efficiency of energy use in agricultural equipment and operations. Our Sixth Five Year Plan (1980-85) which synchronises with the launching of the International Development Strategy for the Third Development Decade aims at a speedy development of indigenous sources of energy with proper emphasis on conservation and efficiency of energy use.
India has vast potential for developing bio-gas production. According to a recent estimate, about 300 to 400 millions tonnes of animal excreta is available in India as base for bio-gras production. Besi des, bulk quantities of residues and other organic waste could also be used with animal excreta for bio-gas production. If all these materials could be utilised, about 70,000 million ton cubic meters of methana gas equivalent to about 160 million tonnes of fuel wood could be produced. During the past few years, therefore, steps have been taken to popularise setting up of bio-gas plants in farm homes. The Government of India has taken a major initiative during the Sixth Five Year Plan to mount a massi ve programme for the development of bio-gas at an outlay of Rs. 500 millions. lt is proposed to instai about 4 lakh family size bio-gas plants and 100 community size plants during the Plan period. Our achievement in bio-gas production have been appropriately acclaimed by the FAO.
We have also taken a series of measures for maximising efficiency of fertiliser use. These include orientation of package of practices for securing more efficient use of fertilisers, promoting right type of fertilisers suited to specific crops and soils, split application of nitrogenous fertilisers, effective use of soil tasting to ensure balanced application of fertiliser nutrients and development of integrated nutrientsupply system i. Steps have also been taken in the country to promote a large scale use of rhizobium culture in the case of the guminous crops and the use of blue algae and azola in the rice growing areas. On the basis of the experience gained in the implementation of these programmes in our country, we not only support the FAO initiatives in the matter, but would also like to emphasise that the FAO should give a greater emphasis to renewable sources of energy for agricultural production especially to the programmes relating to development of bio-gas and biological nitragen fixation. FAO-should make provision for expert consultation, establishing information exchange systems, organising training seminars etc. Some of the specific areas where FAO could arrange to help India and other deve loping countries are production of intrinsically new ferlilisers which are cheaper and which release nutriants slowly and development of a suitable and economical fertiliser drill which can be used with ease in the case of application of urea super granules.
Fuelwood is one of the important energy sources for domestic consumption and agricultural utilisation in the rural areas of India. A series of steps have already been taken in my country to ensure produc tion of fuelwood on sustained basis. The stratagy being adopted to increase avalability of fuelwood as near as possible to consumption points. India has also embarked on a massive social forestry pro gramme. Social forestry as currently practised in my country aims at raising plantations and growing trees of species suitable, among others, for fuelwood along road-sides, railway lines, canal banks, tank shores, unproductive and marginal agricultural lands, school compounds and similar other institu tional lands, community lands, homesteads and available government lands in rural aresa, As a matter of fact, large scale social forestry programme have already been taken up in several States in my country and are likely to be taken up in the remaining States, in the near future. In preparing the social forestry projects in India, care is being taken to analyse the management of existing rural energy sys tem and further to ensure an equitable distribution of the energy resources created through fuelwood plantation under such programmes.
India is also concerned with conversion of fuelwood and wood residues to conventional gaseous fuels. Experiments have already been initiated for the production of gas from charcoal and wood.
Along with development programmes, considerable research work is already under way in India in the use of energy for agricultural purposes by various research institutions and agricultural universities under the ICAR, which is entrusted with the responsibility of coordination of research at the Apax level in India.
Under the Sixth 5-years Plan (1980-85), it is proposed to intensify research on Renewable energy sour ces, comprising different aspects such as solar energy, bio-gas and wind energy with higher outlay. It is also proposed to intensify research on energy requirements for different farming systems and asso ciated rural homes ; and organic recycling and biological nitrogen fixation for substitution of chemi cal fertilisers during the Sixth Plan.
In the matter of fisheries, India has recently concluded a T. C. P. Project on energy economy, based on fixed propeller nozzles to the existing fleet of fishing trawlers in the country. In this context of high cost of diesel it is essential to harness wind power for fishing craft. For this purpose it is ne cessary to take up a project to construct and test various prototypes of commercial sailing fishing vessels for use by fisherman. We will welcome any assistance from the FAO in the matter.
In conclusion, my delegation has given a bird's eyeview of our endeavours and experiences in the sphere of energy planning for agriculture and rural development sectors. We will be happy to share our expe rience with countries, in case our fellow developing countries feel they can benefit from our experien ce.
SHIN-HAENG HUK (Korea, Republic of): I would like to extend my appreciation to the Secretariat for the preparation of a rather difficult report on energy in agriculture and rural development. So many developing countries have strived for their agricultural development objectives, the use of energy has been increasing in the agricultural sector. For instance, in Korea, the agricultural sector had heavily depended upon such traditional energy sources as fuelwood, crop and livestock residues, and animal power in the past. However, as our agricultural sector has been mechanized, the consumption of energy, especially liquid energy, for the purpose of agricultural production has been dramatically increasing.
We are all aware of the importance of energy substitutes to be developed, more efficient use of energy, and technology development for energy saving devices. However, these projects need much longer time to be useful for the agricultural sector. In order to increase agricultural and marine production with respect to energy use in the short-run, the Government of the Republic of Korea has long imple mented the policy of price discrimination with liquid energy favourable for agriculture and fishing since productivities in these sectors are in general lower than that in the non-agricultural fishery sector. We have to stimulate farmers to produce more by providing cheap energy. Otherwise, we may not be able to solve the problem of hunger and malnutrition in the future. This is especially true when we consider the agricultural sector's increasing dependence on energy use.
Considering the small position of commercial energy used for agricultural production, I wonder whether our member countries agree to apply the concept of price discrimination favourable for only agricul tural production in developing countries as a price subsidy to trading energy, if agreed. This will become a great encouragement for farmers who are under heavy burdens from the increasing use of energy on farms in food-deficit countries.
M. DESSOUKI (Egypt) (original language Arabic) : I should like to commend the excellent preparation of the document under discussion. Due attention was given to points of detail concerning the importance of energy in agriculture and rural development; a matter about which we agree unanimously. It has been proved that agriculture is one of the major forms of renewable sources of energy. It is not only a produce of energy but a consumer also.
My delegation expresses satisfaction with the past and current activities of FAO in energy, nationally and regionally as set out in Chapter 6 of the document.
After considering the medium-term plan of action in Chapter 7 of the document, my delegation would also like to express its full support. We would ask the international community and donor countries to strengthen their assistance to FAO.
The Egyptian delegation believes in focussing on the extraction of energy from the biomass in order to produce biogen from the soil and in order to develop furnaces.
We propose a more efficient utilization of solar energy and more attention being given to light as a source of energy in producing crops that are highly sensitive to photosynthesis.
We are of the opinion that surface waters should be used to plant algues and hydrocarbon.
To make use of energy in agriculture, action should be taken to prepare hybrid legumes and nitrogen fixation to be used as rice fertilizers. Projects to develop fertilizers from farm residues should also be encouraged.
In my country, when the high level of waste due to producing energy from burning farm waste was noticed, we started on a programme of extracting biogen from organic waste.
I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the close and fruitful cooperation with FAO.
FAO through the technical cooperation programme has trained workers in biogen development in Egypt, it has also helped carry out research and application projects in this area.
My country welcomes students from the developing countries to take part in training in research and applied studies in this new field. We are ready to enlarge technical expertise and assistance with all these countries.
B. O. M. CHIYAMBWE (Zambia): Allow me to make a short intervention and announce that it is a strong feeling on the part of a number of delegations present here at this Conference that forestry in general is not being given the priority which it deserves. To this effect a resolution is being drafted and will be presented to the Drafting Committee. It is hoped that the Resolution Committee will approve this draft resolution. I would therefore request that at a future date during the deliberations of this Committee, discussion on this resolution be opened.
PAOLO VICINELLI (Holy See):The Holy See delegation takes this opportunity to express its appreciation to the Secretariat and to the Commission for the very concrete approach made to the development of the different items on the agenda. The Holy See delegation greatly appreciated the increasing importance that both the Secretariat document and the Assembly remarks are devoting to the subjects which are at the base of agricultural action-that is to men and women. The time seems to be past when attention and hopes for the human future were almost totally focussed on scientific technology and productivity, the fastest the better, or to large development schemes, the biggest the better. The average farmer, both as a human being and as a decision-making operator, appears to have taken his revenge and is now seen more and more as a starting point for any step further.
All this appears particularly true in the field of energy in agriculture. One thinks particularly of the enormous toil and stress which millions of women and children in the developing world still have to suffer daily in order to grind their grain, to travel long distances for their fuel and to transport water and crops on their heads.
It is with the view of correcting these still so diffuse hardships that the Pontifical Academy of Science has last year concentrated a special effort of study on the relations between energy and mankind, the report of which was offered to His Holiness the Pope on the occasion of the recent audience to our Conference.
The three exhaustive papers by the Secretariat go deep in suggesting many intelligent approaches to the solution of small-scale energy problems. We recall as first steps to progress the fundamental presence in crop rotations of nitrogen-fixing crops, or the importance of a good choice and strong action of the diffusion of wood fuel apt trees, or the possibility of cheap donkey-drawn chariots for crop transport, and of oxen-draught ploughing. Simple hand-operated machines could help in reducing the toil of grain-grinding, and a larger use of windmills may greatly help in multiplying the number of drilled wells in dry areas. However, one wonders how it happens that simple new techniques are sometimes largely adopted in one country and completely unknown in a neighbouring one. That simply underlines the enormous scope more and more open to diffuse technical assistance and the great need of mutual exchange of information and help between all countries: which is exactly the aim of this Organization. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
LE PRESIDENT:Je remercie l'observateur du Saint-Siège.
J. THINSY (Belgique): J'aurais voulu vous poser une question, M. le Président, concernant la suite de nos travaux pour cette semaine: vous avez fait remarquer que nous devons avancer rapidement mais, quand je vois le programme, il était prévu que l'énergie serait traitée encore demain et vendredi; vous avez parlé de problèmes de résolutions que nous devrions discuter; quand, comment envisagez-vous de traiter ces problèmes et à partir de quand?
LE PRESIDENT: En réponse à la question qui vient de m'être posée, je voudrais dire que nous souhaitons terminer avec cette question demain, après quoi nous aurons à examiner les projets de résolutions et comme vous le savez les projets de résolutions peuvent encore soulever beaucoup de questions qui peuvent nous entraîner jusqu'au vendredi. Il faut laisser le temps nécessaire au Comité de rédaction de faire son travail, c'est pour cela que nous souhaitons aller un peu plus vite. Puisque tout le monde est d'accord la séance est levée.
The meeting rose at 18. 05 hours.
La séance est levée à 18 h 05.
Se levanta la sesión a las 18. 05 horas.
