Chapter 2: Technical and Economic Programmes

(All amounts in US$ 000)

61. A recurrent feature under the above Major Programmes is that provisions for Programme Management (i.e. programme code ending with 9) have been scaled down, as indicated in the following more detailed tables.

Major Programme 2.1: Agricultural Production And Support Systems

(All amounts in US$ 000)

Programme 2.1.0: Intra-departmental Entities

(All amounts in US$ 000)

62. Support to the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA, 210P1) and to the PAIA on Ethics in Food and Agriculture will be slightly reduced, with priority given to activities of the Interim Committee of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. Activities related to the latter treaty will also significantly depend on extra-budgetary resources during the biennium. While entity 210S1 supporting the biennial meetings of the Committee on Agriculture (COAG) will not be affected, 210S2 Technical Services for Partnership Development and Information Enhancement will include less work on the planning and management of departmental publications and communications, as well as contributions to global perspective studies. Reductions are to affect the implementation, both at departmental and divisional levels, of entity 210A1 Sustainable Intensification of Integrated Production Systems, with less opportunities for undertaking field activities in pilot SPFS sites and the coordination of cross-site appraisal of integrated production strategies and good practices. The work on the normative and operational components of 210A2 Promotion of Conservation Agriculture is also affected. However, the joint FAO/IAEA division (AGE) will be able to devote increased resources to this area, i.e. for work on validated models of nutrient and water dynamics and carbon sequestration and soil erosion. Regrettably, the central provision to support implementation of PAIAs had to be cut by one-third (210S5).

210A1 - Sustainable Intensification of Integrated Production Systems

Biennial Outputs

• Electronic information forum and clearing-house for stakeholders to collect and share information on integrated production systems and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
• Farmer-participatory pilot site, established through the SPFS, for study and demonstration of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems (Asia)
• Dissemination of results of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems through local and national meetings and workshops in collaboration with partners(W. Africa)
• Farmer-participatory pilot site, established through the SPFS, for study and demonstration of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems (W. Kenya)
• Farmer-participatory pilot site, established through the SPFS, for study and demonstration of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems (N.E.)
• Farmer-participatory pilot site, established through the SPFS, for study and demonstration of horizontal and vertical integration of production and post-harvest systems (LAC)
• Appraisal of farming systems resource management, productivity and profitability in PRODS pilot sites
• Analyses of intensification patterns and dynamics in important major farming systems for identification of differentiated development pathways and strategies
• Synthesis and dissemination of information on the economics of intensified production systems
• Global information portal on Good Agricultural Practices
• Guidelines on good agricultural practices for selected crops and livestock in different agroecosystems
• National and regional capacity building for the implementation of good agricultural practices in different agro-ecosystems in collaboration with partners in the public and private sectors and CSO's

210A2 - Promotion of Conservation Agriculture

Biennial Outputs

• Guidance documents, strategies and information on relevant aspects of mechanization inputs for Conservation Agriculture as part of GAP/SARD 
• Support for regional training, networks, workshops and pilot sites for Conservation Agriculture
• Regional workshops/training courses in West Africa and Central Asia on cropping systems development for conservation agriculture
• Country study case in Asia and/or Africa on successful adoption of appropriate cropping systems in conservation agriculture
• Support to the Eurasian Conservation Agriculture Network (ECAN) and the South Asian Conservation Agriculture Network (SACAN)
• Publication and training manual on "Progress in Conservation Agriculture in Central Asia" 
• Guidelines, training materials, workshops and support to networks on soil and moisture conservation in production systems
• Piloting, adapting and evaluating impact of better soil and water management at farm level (two countries in North Africa and Near East)
• On-line knowledge base (Web Page) on soil moisture conservation in production systems 
• Framework for monitoring soil water regime and assessing the effects of Conservation Agriculture practices on the water and structure dynamics of soil
• E-mail conference on soil moisture assessment 
• Information and Guidance on the contribution of livestock to the achievement of Conservation Agriculture practices
• Validated and refined models of nutrient and water dynamics in conservation agriculture
• Validated and refined models of carbon sequestration and soil erosion in conservation agriculture 

210P1 - Secretariat of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA)

Biennial Outputs

• One regular session of the Commission and support to its Intergovernmental Technical Working Groups (ITWGs) on Animal and on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
• Pending the entry into force of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, support to the CGRFA as Interim Committee, with activities funded by extra-budgetary resources, and meetings as required
• Coordination with relevant international processes 
• Meeting of the Panel of Eminent Experts on Ethics in Food and Agriculture, and two publications, with additional outputs subject to extra-budgetary resources becoming available 

210S1 - Committee on Agriculture (COAG)

Biennial Outputs

• Planning and organization of 18th session of COAG

210S2 - Technical Services for Partnership Development and Information Enhancement

Biennial Outputs

• Coordinated contributions to work on SARD as relates to Agenda 21 of UNCED, and to the agriculture component of WEHAB (Water, Energy, Health, Agriculture, Biodiversity), in follow-up to the WSSD 
• Coordinated contributions to global perspective studies 
• Publications and communications planning and management services to divisions to improve editorial quality, presentation and targeting of publications and associated messages
• AG Department web site "Agriculture 21" and related advocacy material produced and coordinated with divisional web pages 
• Liaison with Regional Office groups, as well as organization and report on biennial meeting of AG technical department group leaders

210S5 - Central Support to PAIAs

Biennial Outputs

• Catalytic contributions to support effective implementation of PAIAs 
• Interdisciplinary support for organization of a conference on sustainable development in the Small Island Developing States

Programme 2.1.1: Natural Resources

(All amounts in US$ 000)

63. In line with the priority on water management and conservation expressed by Governing Bodies, work on: Water Use Efficiency and Conservation (211A1); Integrated Land, Water and Plant Nutrition Policies, Planning and Management (211A3); and Land and Water Quality Improvement (211A5) has been protected to the extent possible. However, some specific outputs may be affected by the overall reduction in both staff and non-staff resources. In particular, post adjustments at regional level would regrettably reduce the level of technical support and assistance in capacity building on land and water management in the respective regions. In addition, due to the abolition of a number of posts at Headquarters, less resources would be available for field programme support, including formulation and backstopping of TCP, SPFS and emergency projects, and for direct advisory services to Members. As evident from the preceding table and output lists below, work on Land and Soil Productivity (211A2), Information Systems, Databases and Statistics (211P7), Knowledge Management and Partnerships (211P8), and Direct Support to Member Nations and the Field Programme (211S1) would need to be significantly slowed down. Support would be maintained for the International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID, 211S2), albeit at a reduced level.

211A1 - Agricultural Water Use Efficiency and Conservation

Biennial Outputs

• Updated guidelines, training materials, regional seminars and support to networks for on-farm Water Control Techniques and Integrated Water Resources Management 
• Guidelines on Crop Water Productivity, including supplementary irrigation and biotechnology applications, plus advisory services for greater private sector participation in irrigation management
• Development of water resources and irrigation technologies, including water harvesting and groundwater management
• Guidelines and manual produced for irrigation system modernization, management and scheduling
• Irrigation sector and system evaluations, as a basis for restructuring and capacity building
• Promotion of appropriate irrigation policies, including demand management and market analysis in irrigated agriculture

211A2 - Land and Soil Productivity

Biennial Outputs

• Support to national soil fertility / productivity improvement programmes, including methodologies, case studies, conferences and training in integrated plant nutrient management 
• Global fertilizer demand model (New)
• Fertilizer policy-case study Nigeria and SADC countries (New)
• Methodologies for land degradation assessment, its mitigation, conservation and rehabilitation for degraded and problem soils, linked to LADA, SPFS and SFI 
• Specific tools and methods prepared for land resources use and planning (including carbon sequestration) 
• Support to national action programmes on conservation agriculture strategies and techniques

211A3 - Integrated Land, Water and Plant Nutrition Policies, Planning and Management

Biennial Outputs

• Guidance, inventories and networking on integrated wetland development and management 
• Land and water management in a watershed context with a focus on ecosystem services
• Programme development for drought mitigation in Southern Africa
• Global indicators produced for sustainable land development
• Soil moisture management in rainfed agriculture with a focus on drought mitigation 
• Integrated planning and management of land, water and nutrient resources

211A5 - Land and Water Quality Improvement

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines and case studies on drainage, safe use of treated wastewater and health aspects of irrigation
• Proposals formulated for improved agricultural water management and for reducing and reclaiming affected areas 
• Guidelines on management of natural disasters, with emphasis on drought and floods

211P7 - Land and Water Information Systems, Databases and Statistics

Biennial Outputs

• Support provided to capacity building of national land and water information systems, including web-based AEZ 
• Databases for land resources and land use (SOTER, Terrastat, WOCAT and Global AEZ) 
• Development, updating and maintenance of AQUASTAT - Global Water Information System 
• Water section of the State of the World Land and Water Resources (SWLWR) report
• State of the World Land and Water Resources (SWLWR) report 

211P8 - Knowledge Management and Partnerships

Biennial Outputs

• Web-based information centre and regional perspective studies at global & regional levels on land and water issues 
• Regular updating of knowledge base 

211S1 - Direct Support to Member Nations and to the Field Programme

Biennial Outputs

• Direct support to Member Countries
• Support on demand for emergency and relief activities 
• Ongoing support to the development and backstopping of the Field Programme, including SPFS

211S2 - International Programme for Technology and Research in Irrigation and Drainage (IPTRID)

Biennial Outputs

• Support to the formulation of strategies and programmes to support capacity development for sustainable agricultural water management in the developing countries 
• Contributions to the identification, formulation and implementation of projects
• Preparation of materials: including promotional website, flyers, posters, brochures and data fed into the IPTRID integrated information system 
• Six-monthly and annual reports on IPTRID's activities and outputs to be presented to the IPTRID Management Committee and Consultative Group. Organization of consultations and management meetings to support IPTRID activities (New)

Programme 2.1.2: Crops

(All amounts in US$ 000)

64. Relative priority has been maintained for a number of key areas: the Plant Pests Component of EMPRES (212A4); the Mainstreaming of IPM by Enhancing Essential Ecological Processes (212A5); Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources (212A9); the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC, 212P1); Pesticide Management, including work for PIC and the Rotterdam Convention (212P2); Migratory Pest Management (212P3); and Technical Support to the International Treaty on PGRFA (212P4). Nonetheless, the pace of some activities will be negatively affected. While support to effective national desert locust early warning systems is to continue under EMPRES, coordination of national programmes, emergency operations on locust and other migratory pests, and work on improved emergency prevention will need to be reduced. IPM work will give priority to field implementation, whereas the production of guidance material, based on lessons learned from field activities, will be more limited. The regional phytosanitary information system of the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Commission will be severely curtailed. Regular Programme funding for the participation of developing countries in standard-setting, and in the information system of the IPPC has been reduced. This will be offset during the current biennium by arrears funding. Reduced availability of guidance material may delay the implementation of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides. It will not be possible to achieve the expected acceleration in the rate of recommendations for Maximum Pesticide Residue Levels (MRLs) of pesticides in food, to the Codex Alimentarius Commission. The preparation of the second edition of the State of the World's Report of PGRFA and the implementation of both the Global Information System and supportive networks under the IT-PGRFA may experience delays. Policy and technical guidance on sustainable use of PGRFA, including plant breeding and biotechnology, will be more limited. Under 212A9, development of seed policies and capacity building in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for seed production, will only be slightly affected. The biggest impact of budgetary reductions is on crop production and grassland management activities (212A1, 212A3 and 212P5), while some of the adjustments aim to respond to the recommendations of the evaluation of FAO activities in crop production, endorsed by the Programme Committee at its 90^th Session in September 2003. In crop production, support to sustainable development of rice-based systems will be greatly reduced, particularly in Africa, as well as to the International Rice Commission and to integrated crop production systems for food security and rural incomes. Lower resources are available to provide technical support to Members on various aspects of crop production and protection, though it is expected that these will be partly compensated through higher levels of income generated under projects.

212A1 - Alternative Crops and Cultivars for New Opportunities

Biennial Outputs

• Newsletters to fill knowledge gaps in underutilized crops 
• Ecocrop (crop/environment data base) updated with more species and searchable fields and CD-ROMs produced 
• Meeting reports on underutilized species such as the GFAR Global Facilitation Unit for underutilized crops 
• Published descriptions of good practices for marketing such as organic production of medicinal plants
• Hortivar system expanded to cover more species, cultivars and IPP information
• Capacity building and guidelines on efficient propagation systems for healthy planting material of improved horticultural cultivars 
• Continued technology expansion of cold-tolerant oil palm in Africa and new drought and saline-tolerant sweet sorghum globally 
• Electronic dissemination of information on new cultivars 
• Advisory services and capacity building to promote various horticultural and fruit crops with comparative advantage in accordance with the agro-ecological environment and socio-economic context, including formulation of national sector development plans 
• Technical guidelines on norms and standards for cost effective greenhouse technology in accordance with the crop requirements and environmental conditions
• Exchange of information and capacity building on Integrated Production and Protection (IPP) management aiming at high quality and safe horticulture produce in line with international regulations 
• Assessment of crop diversification options to establish comparative advantages for new market opportunities 
• Capacity building for growers to become acquainted with crop protocols and record keeping for traceability as an essential component of successful marketing strategy

212A3 - Strategies and Technologies for Sustainable Crop and Grassland Production Systems

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines for curriculum development on home gardens in agricultural higher education
• Support to networking and capacity-building on homestead horticulture for improved livelihoods 
• School garden programme technical support service/kit
• Support to the Tropical Asian Maize Network (TAMNET) and to rice-wheat systems in South Asia 
• Capacity building on breeding programmes in difficult environments and on participatory plant breeding, to complement and strengthen national programmes
• Publications on sustainable cereal production and mixed perennial/annual/animal systems
• Models for improvement of farmers' knowledge on integrated crop management through Field Schools and on-farm demonstrations linked to the SPFS and related PAIAs 
• Studies and training workshops on symbiotic mushroom species (mycorrhizae) association for improving horticultural cropping system productivity
• Participatory capacity-building on rational fruit crop management practices
• Case studies and publications on different grassland ecosystems and biodiversity dynamics 
• Guidelines on management of grasslands in degraded environments, including development of national and regional policies and projects 
• Promotion and networking on traditional systems of maintenance and use of local grassland genetic resources 
• Networking on integrated fodder/crop systems
• Knowledge base on forage conservation, and dissemination of information in various formats 
• Case studies and publications on pasture/crop/livestock systems and grassland issues
• Support to sustainable, including low energy management, of pastures and fodder crops in high potential areas, including irrigated rice
• Improved statistical information on world/country grassland and fodder crop resources 
• Knowledge base on the integrated development and use of cassava with publications on cassava issues as Secretariat to Global Cassava Strategy
• Advisory services for the formulation of national, sub-regional and regional projects in support of cassava development strategy, including food supply to urban areas
• Cooperation with IITA for assistance to member countries in the identification and rapid propagation of pest and disease resistant planting material of cassava 
• Guidelines and professional capacity building for the implementation of Integrated Production and Protection (IPP) management of horticulture crops in open field and under protected cultivation 
• Capacity building workshops and projects on sound cultivation practices for useful saprophytic mushroom species 
• Studies, guidelines and fact sheets on sustainability of organic agriculture/horticulture management systems
• Series of stakeholder consultations to develop G.A.P. protocols for key horticultural commodities
• Integration of UPA in agriculture development plans as a component of the overall strategy for improved food and nutrition security, and related capacity building
• Identification and demonstration of adapted crops and production technologies including micro garden systems adapted to urban and peri-urban environments

212A4 - EMPRES - Plant Pests Component

Biennial Outputs

• Assistance to the EMPRES (Desert Locust) Programmes in the Central and Western Regions, and the initiation of a programme in the Eastern Region, including coordination meetings with relevant stakeholders and annual planning documents, and training events 
• Support to effective early warning systems in desert locust affected countries, including new and improved technologies involving remote sensing, electronic data transmission, global positioning systems, and good survey practices 
• Support to national locust control capacities through improved contingency planning, training, provision of equipment and operating resources and the field testing of new, more environmentally friendly control techniques, especially biopesticides 
• Improved desert locust emergency prevention strategies and support to inter-country cooperation and technical assistance on early warning and control of other locust species and other transboundary pests 

212A5 - "Mainstreaming IPM" by Enhancing Essential Ecological Processes

Biennial Outputs

• Case studies of IPM implementation that reduces risks to farmers and consumers, strengthens local and national policy making, including export opportunities under IPPC, WTO and interregional trade arrangements 
• Technical guidelines and training of national personnel for risk analysis and management of herbicide resistance and studies on the impact of herbicide resistance 
• Technical guidelines for national IPM programmes to adopt ecological concepts in training programmes 
• Case studies on successful applications of IPM at local levels linked across communities and also disseminated to national policy makers 
• Operational network among national IPM field programmes
• Guidance to emergency, SPFS and other project activities to ensure sustainable rehabilitation
• Support to expanding national/local IPM programmes, especially in countries covered by the SPFS that sustainably identify, analyze, enhance essential ecological processes through local decision making linked to enabling policy/institutional changes
• Technical inputs into environmental analysis of new, including biotechnological, and alternative plant protection options

212A8 - Facilitating Plant Production and Protection Decision Making

Biennial Outputs

• Further strategic partnerships developed with data providers (institutions and individual scientists) 
• Inter-departmental in house collaboration and interfaces with FAO systems
• Technical information related to phytosanitary issues and EcoPort 
• Crop and grassland databases and information
• Publications drawing on crop and grassland databases and information
• Interactive websites on crop and grassland programmes and projects
• Assessment of biotechnology-based applications to meet development needs 
• Provision of guidance for increased efficiency of plant breeding programmes in selected developing countries 

212A9 - Conservation and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources, including through Biotechnology, and Seed Sector Development

Biennial Outputs

• Survey assessment and consultations on national capacity (strengths and needs) in plant breeding and biotechnology
• Publications on sustainable use of PGRFA including guidelines on resource allocation and policy formulation
• An annotated "road map" (decision-support "tool box") on biotechnology- related matters 
• Policy advice and technical assistance on the use of PGRFA, in particular, plant breeding- and biotechnology-matters 
• Case studies on conservation and use of crop and crop associated biodiversity to sustain agricultural productivity and enhance livelihoods
• Development of indicators for the management of PGRFA and related components of agricultural biodiversity, in support of the CBD 
• Training and guidelines to promote complementarity between the private, public and informal seed sectors
• Analyses of, and advice to countries on: access and benefit sharing; variety release and seed certification and other policy aspects
• Support to the implementation of the CBD programme of work on agricultural biodiversity
• Methodologies, technical guidance notes, and illustrative case studies on approaches such as seed fairs, farmer field schools, voucher schemes, participatory methods in seed technology, and community-based enterprises
• Analyses of seed systems, their resilience and role in crisis situations, including emergency response measures consistent with long-term seed security and inventories of locally-adapted crop varieties commonly grown in disaster-prone regions 
• Case studies on access to and the role of technologies, including biotechnologies, for the conservation and use of PGRFA, including socio-economic aspects, proprietary status, market opportunities and other policy dimensions

212P1 - Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC)

Biennial Outputs

• Standard setting (at least 8 by biennium) through expert working groups to develop draft standards, and through organization of 2 meetings of the Interim Commission on phytosanitary measures and 4 meetings of the Standard Committee
• Secretariat Services to IPPC
• Support/meetings of regional plant protection organizations (Asia/Pacific Plant Protection Commission and Caribbean Plant Protection Commission), including support for development of regional phytosanitary standards 
• Cooperation with WTO, CBD, WHO, World Bank, Codex Alimentarius and OIE on policies, harmonization of information exchange and capacity building
• Cooperation with Regional Plant Protection Organizations 
• Internet Phytosanitary "Portal"(IPP) to exchange official information as identified in the IPPC, as a component of a Portal on food safety/animal/plant health, including national and regional training courses to encourage participation
• Assistance to national contact points to access the IPP 
• Initiation of a regional phytosanitary information system for the Asia and Pacific Plant Protection Agreement 
• Assistance to countries to strengthen their national phytosanitary services where possible through an integrated approach with animal health and food safety services

212P2 - Pesticide Management

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines supporting the Revised Version of the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides 
• Strengthened regional harmonization on pesticide registration in two sub-regions 
• Standards on pesticide quality (together with WHO)
• Substantial increase in the number of recommendations for Maximum Residue Levels to the Codex Committee on Pesticide Residues (together with WHO). Joint Meeting on Pesticide Residues (JMPR) 
• Innovative JMPR system that can provide much larger number of MRL recommendations to Codex 
• Meetings of the Conference of Parties of the Rotterdam Convention and its subsidiary bodies
• Through provision of Secretariat of the Rotterdam Convention ( together with UNEP): addition of chemicals to Prior Informed Consent Procedure and mandated information exchange required to implement PIC procedure
• Training workshops on the implementation of the Convention
• Stakeholder meetings to facilitate pesticide disposal
• Technical advice to countries on pesticides and on obsolete pesticides in particular including monitoring of disposal operations
• Training workshops for replacing ozone-depletion pesticides
• Promotion of alternatives to POP pesticides in two regions
• Guidance on the identification of deficiencies in national pesticide control programmes, coupled with technical assistance to countries on the implementation of pesticide management
• Mainstreaming of good pesticide procurement practices in development programmes

212P3 - Migratory Pest Management

Biennial Outputs

• Monthly bulletins including forecasts, special alerts and summaries on the desert locust situation and other locust outbreaks, based on reports received from affected countries, and information on rainfall/vegetation from satellites
• Guidelines and methodologies on desert locust control 
• Desert locust databases especially the RAMSES system (Development of Reconnaissance and Management System of the Environment of Schistocerca) introduced in affected countries as a tool to improve analysis of desert locust situation and an aid to decision
• Installation of the rapid Locust data transmission system (eLocust) in the Western Region and the Central Region
• Policy and technical decisions on standardized methodologies on improved desert locust management, research priorities and inter-country programmes
• Secretariat to the Desert Locust Control Committee, including meeting of the Committee and its technical group and the Pesticide Referee Group
• Secretariat to the three Regional Desert Locust Commissions, including meetings of the Locust Commissions
• Technical support to national migratory pest projects and supervision of FAO coordinated/assisted migratory pest emergency operations 

212P4 - Technical Support to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Biennial Outputs

• Thematic studies on, and indicators for, genetic diversity erosion and/or vulnerability feeding into preparations of the second report on the State of the World's PGRFA 
• Facilitating mechanism to assist countries in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) for the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA
• Technical and operational support to the International Network of ex situ collections under the auspices of FAO, including the negotiation of new agreements with institutions and countries 
• Updated country-driven assessments of state of plant genetic resources 
• World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS) with an integrated Seed Information System (SIS) and an on-line, interactive information system to facilitate the monitoring of the GPA implementation and the assessment of the State of the World's PGRFA
• Technical and operational support to the Seed Security Networks
• Preparation of documents and studies as requested by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) and its Intergovernmental Working Group on PGRFA

212P5 - Support to Strategy Formulation and Promotion of Specific Action for Rice Development in Member Countries of the International Rice Commission (IRC)

Biennial Outputs

• Preparations for 21st Session of the International Rice Commission (to be held in Peru in March 2006)
• Coordination of rice activities among FAO technical units and support to the inter-regional cooperative Network on rice production systems 
• Implementation of the Commission's recommendations on hybrid rice, rice integrated crop management (Rice Check) and NERICA rice 
• Dissemination of information on technological innovations, issues, constraints and opportunities of various rice production agro-ecosystems, and capacity building 
• Harmonization and facilitation of the implementation of the IYR at all levels
• Technical support for the formulation of national strategies and programmes for sustainable rice production within member countries 
• Increase in knowledge and provision of information on the key issues regarding sustainable rice production.

212S1 - Advice to Countries and Support to Field Programme

Biennial Outputs

• Support to national development programmes, including projects under the SPFS and other field projects, under the broad range of disciplines, including seeds, addressed by the crops programme 
• Support to emergency and relief activities

Programme 2.1.3: Livestock

(All amounts in US$ 000)

65. The livestock programme will seek to maintain momentum of action under several high-profile entities: transboundary animal disease control (213A7 – EMPRES – Livestock); Veterinary Public Health Management and Food and Feed Safety (213A6); Environmental Management of Insect-Borne Diseases (213A9), for which cuts are relatively minor. The same will apply to two cross-sectoral entities: Livestock Sector Analysis and Strategy Development (213B1) and the Global Livestock Information System and Knowledge Framework (213P1). However, as evident from the list below, the delivery of a number of biennial outputs will be delayed or reduced. Despite lower resources, work on Technologies and Systems for Efficient Natural Resource Use in Livestock Production (213A8) is to lead to good practices for sustainable resource use in both intensifying and extending animal production systems. The EMPRES-livestock programme will need to take account of recent developments (avian influenza etc.), particularly in the Asia region which has the largest and fastest-growing livestock sector in the world. Extra-budgetary support under strategic partnership agreements with donors is expected to complement or allow for substitution of RP resources, particularly for normative activities. These relate especially to 213A3 Contribution of Livestock to Poverty Alleviation, 213A5 Developing the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources, as well as the other entities referred to above. Regrettably, entity 213S1 would have to be severely curtailed.

213A3 - Contribution of Livestock to Poverty Alleviation

Biennial Outputs

• The Livestock Report - an updated series of analyses, case studies, strategies and best management practices 
• Guidelines to assist countries in coping with natural and man-made disasters affecting domestic livestock and to alleviate the impact of the HIV/Aids pandemic 
• An interactive forum, including international networks, addressing livestock and poverty alleviation issues 
• Technical contributions and support to the project GCP/INT/804/UK (Pro-poor Livestock Policy Facility)
• Review and assessment of innovative technologies for value-added milk processing and for reducing post-harvest losses for use by the small-scale dairy sector, both formal and informal
• Guidelines and strategies for incorporation of value-added milk and dairy products processing and distribution in poverty reduction (PRSPs) and food security (SPFS) strategies
• Networks on small-scale milk and dairy products processing and marketing for milk producer groups and the small-scale dairy sector
• Guidelines and case studies for empowering communities to gain access to livestock goods and services
• Guidelines, case studies and best management practices for the development of the Livestock Farmer Field School approach

213A5 - Developing the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources

Biennial Outputs

• Focal points and country networks trained and supported for the preparation of the 1st Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources (SoW-AnGR)
• Issues and priority actions identified for improved utilisation and conservation of AnGR
• Analysis of country reports on the State of the World's AnGR
• Regional syntheses and preparation of regional priority actions for AnGR
• Arrangements for global synthesis of regional reports
• Dissemination of AnGR monitoring and emergency managing tools and support to policy formulation 
• Country data supplemented by technical studies on AnGR and environment interactions, valuation of AnGR and emergency management 
• Interregional analysis of impacts of gene migration and trade on AnGR
• Decision support tools for conservation and sustainable use of AnGR 
• Documentation and progress reports to the 3rd Session of the Inter-governmental Working Group on AnGR of the CGRFA
• Progress reports on the development of the Global Strategy on the Management of AnGR to the 10th Session of the CGRFA

213A6 - Veterinary Public Health Management and Food and Feed Safety

Biennial Outputs

• Global Information Portal on Veterinary Public Health and Education
• Global and regional networks for prevention, contingency planning and risk assessment of zoonotic diseases and food borne diseases
• Guidelines on appropriate control measures and best preventive strategies for zoonotic diseases
• National and regional capacity building for surveillance, diagnostics and control of zoonotic diseases 
• Guidelines for prudent use of antimicrobials and antiparasitic drugs
• Global information portal on animal source foods and food and feed safety
• Guidelines on safety in the food chain and quality control mechanisms for primary production, animal feed, and the milk and meat industries 
• National and regional capacity building for implementation of guidelines for safe animal feeding, milk and meat hygiene 
• Risk analysis tools and mechanisms developed to ensure biosecurity with respect to animal health and life, public health and the environment

213A7 - EMPRES - Livestock

Biennial Outputs

• Transboundary Animal Disease Information System (TADinfo) for use at regional, national and sub-national levels
• Complete set of manuals for recognition of the major transboundary animal diseases (TADs) available in paper and electronic form and Good Emergency Management guide updated
• Global early warning system for TADs in collaboration with OIE and WHO
• Epidemiological data from animal disease emergencies analysed and information on trends disseminated to member countries, including through publication of the EMPRES Bulletin
• Computer-based tools for early reaction to, and management of disease outbreaks
• Disease specific guidelines for emergency response
• Assistance to member countries with analysis of emergencies and advice on formulating control options
• Emergency preparedness planning procedures established and communicated to international fora
• Support to World Reference Laboratories for morbilliviruses, FMD and CBPP
• Diagnostic guidelines for TADs
• Quality-assured primary diagnosis and surveillance techniques transferred to countries
• Monitoring mechanism for epidemiologically significant events to detect possible re-emergence and/or spread of rinderpest from known or undetected reservoirs of infection
• GREP Technical Consultations to guide progress towards global freedom
• Promotional and technical material for GREP
• Mechanism for technical coordination of national and regional GREP activities
• Global framework for the progressive control of FMD and other TADs, established in close collaboration with the OIE
• International consultations for the assessment and guidance of EMPRES in TAD control and eradication
• CBPP control strategy for Africa through regular international consultations
• Support to regional disease control programmes
• Outcomes of the regular sessions of the EUFMD, its Executive Committee and of the Research Group communicated to stakeholders

213A8 - Technologies and Systems for Efficient Natural Resource Use in Livestock Production

Biennial Outputs

• Decision-support tools for the assessment of policy and technology options addressing livestock's role in the deforestation process
• Decision-support tools for the assessment of policy and technology options addressing the role of grazing livestock in the degradation of common property resources
• Decision-support tools for the assessment of policy and technology options addressing the role of industrial livestock production in land and water pollution
• Decision-support tools for the assessment of policy and regulatory options addressing the role of the pharmaceutical industry in the control of animal diseases
• Global information portal on Good Agricultural Practices for livestock 
• Guidelines on good agricultural practices for intensive and semi-intensive livestock, including feeding, breeding, production, health and integrated parasite control, product processing and distribution 
• National and regional capacity building for the implementation of good agricultural practices for intensive and semi-intensive livestock production and meat and milk processing 
• National and regional capacity building for the implementation of good agricultural practices for the prevention and control of pesticide parasite resistance and environmental contamination 
• Strategies and decision support techniques formulated to enhance public and private sector livestock extension and veterinary services 
• Strategies and decision support techniques field-tested and validated in private sector livestock extension and veterinary services 

213A9 - Environmental Management of Insect Borne Diseases

Biennial Outputs

• Support to Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis management programmes in the PAAT-PATTEC agreed priority areas in East and West Africa 
• Secretariat of PAAT (including statutory bodies, information tools) 
• Assessment of disease spread in the "Eurasian Ruminant Street" and related regional capacity building
• Analysis of the relationship between climate change, agro-ecology, livestock and disease in Africa, Asia and the Mediterranean Basin and environmental disease management strategies

213B1 - Livestock Sector Analysis and Strategy Development

Biennial Outputs

• Regional Livestock Sector Perspective Studies
• Decision-support tools and methodologies for the assessment of the social and environmental impacts of various livestock policy options
• Specific pro-poor livestock policy measures tested in different agro-ecological and socio-economic settings
• Guidelines on policy uptake pathways 
• Effective dialogue supported for the integration of environmental and animal health issues, and equity and distributional aspects into national policy formulation and international harmonization

213P1 - Global Livestock Information System and Knowledge Framework

Biennial Outputs

• Livestock Knowledge Framework as a comprehensive set of technical information and guidelines on livestock production and health
• AGRIPPA electronic journal and posting of reviews, scientific and extension information in the FAO Document Repository
• Support to regional networks, information systems and websites
• Data and knowledge bases, GIS layers and information dissemination tools on livestock production, disease, animal genetic resources and livestock - poverty, livestock - environment interactions 
• Decision support and modelling tools for livestock development planning 
• Contribution to the development of a new database for food and agricultural statistics (STAT2000) (livestock component)

213S1 - Advice to Member Countries and Support to the Field Programme

Biennial Outputs

• Advice to member countries and field programme support 
• Technical backstopping to projects on animal health and veterinary services development
• Technical backstopping to SPFS on all aspects of livestock development and animal production 
• Technical support to emergency and relief operations with regard to animal production and livestock development 

Programme 2.1.4: Agricultural Support Systems

(All amounts in US$ 000)

66. The impact of the budgetary reductions is relatively balanced across the programme. Continued attention will be given to work on Enhancing Food Quality and Safety by Strengthening Handling, Processing and Marketing in the Food Chain (214A9). A review of regional posts, which had been pending since earlier restructuring of the AGS division will result in the streamlining of staff resources in support of the programme. Regionally, a critical mass of expertise will be maintained in Africa and Asia, whereas most of the required technical support and project backstopping in other regions, where more local capacity exists, is to be provided from Headquarters. Overall capacity to provide technical support services to Members will nevertheless be reduced by approximately 14 percent. Insufficient staff dealing with farm and agribusiness management will lead to less training materials for building business management skills, particularly under 214A1 Enhancing Small Farmer Livelihoods and 214A4 Agribusiness Development Targeted to Small and Medium Post-production Enterprises. Similarly, reduced expertise in marketing economics will diminish support to marketing services, with a major impact upon 214A3 Sustainable Commercial Provision of Input Supply, Mechanization, Investment Support and Marketing Services. Limited staff expertise in agro-processing and agro-industries will also restrict new initiatives in these fields. Activity under 214A2 Meeting Urban Food Needs will be maintained at a reduced level, including through the services of the outposted officer in the FAO Representation in Algiers and the use of non-staff resources. Work on Agricultural Services - Data and Information Systems (214P2) would have to be curtailed.

214A1 - Enhancing Small Farmer Livelihoods

Biennial Outputs

• Materials on strategies and supportive policies for increasing small farmer competitiveness and income opportunities in relation to globalisation and market liberalization
• Guidance for small farmer income and alternative livelihoods programmes 
• Advisory materials on small farmer production for export 
• Technical, economic and environmental appraisals of new income-generating and value-adding activities at the farm and community level
• Promotional booklets on opportunities to increase farm and non-farm income
• Field handbooks for extension workers 
• Regional training manuals for farm management planning and management 
• Modules on farm planning, financial management, resource sharing, market analysis and profitability appraisal for farmer groups and farmer field schools
• Guideline on field mechanisation strategies incorporating engineering and economic considerations
• Information and guides on appropriate household level post harvest technologies incorporating engineering and economic considerations
• Review and information materials on farm and rural transport in Asia with particular attention to farm-marketing linkages
• Appraisal of rural enterprise development services 
• Field guides to reinforce services provision by farmer organizations and NGOs

214A2 - Meeting Urban Food Needs

Biennial Outputs

• Planning guidelines for enhancing rural urban linkages
• Guidelines to address the impacts of modern fresh food distribution systems
• Information and training material to sensitize and enhance capacity of local authorities to address urban food security issues
• Workshops to promote action and assist in identifying policies and programmes to help improve access to food by low-income urban households
• Guidelines on improved low cost, small scale food processing in urban and peri-urban settings
• Publication on the economics of peri-urban livestock keeping in Africa
• Publish farm economics handbook on peri-urban farming

214A3 - Sustainable Commercial Provision of Input Supply, Mechanisation, Investment Support and Marketing Services

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines on enhancing the access of producers and processors to domestic and international markets
• Strategies and policies to support private-sector provision of marketing services
• Strategies for fostering appropriate decentralised financial services for small farmers and rural households
• Publication on impact and implementation of farm input marketing liberalization in Africa
• Guidance on policies and strategies for the provision and utilisation of appropriate agricultural mechanisation services and inputs
• Information and guidance on the supply chain (manufacture, distribution and retailing) of farm machinery, tools and equipment
• MicroBanking system standardization, promotion and related training
• Knowledge management system for CABFIN (capacity building in rural finance)
• Guidelines and training material for financial institutions on appraisal of term finance proposals
• Support to regional rural finance networks and workshops on rural finance issues
• Guidelines for improvement of the provision of commercial marketing services
• Field guides related to government support services in agricultural marketing
• Support to regional agricultural marketing networks and workshops on agricultural marketing issues

214A4 - Agribusiness Development Targeted to Small and Medium Post-production Enterprises

Biennial Outputs

• Handbook for agricultural processors on successful business management
• Training and decision support material on small and medium-scale enterprise management
• Strategies and guidelines for developing extension services for agribusiness and post-production enterprises
• Practical manuals and training guides on appropriate and profitable technologies and their implementation in small and medium enterprises
• Technical and marketing studies on post-production technologies for non-traditional products including organic foods and products of beneficial insects
• Training material to enhance the capacity of farmer associations to become agribusiness intermediaries
• Workshops to promote and develop farm-agribusiness linkage programmes
• Study on factors affecting the profitability and competitiveness of small and medium-scale enterprises
• Guidelines on post-production logistical arrangements in order to facilitate developing country export
• Policy advice for improved support of post-production enterprises

214A9 - Enhancing Food Quality and Safety by Strengthening Handling, Processing and Marketing in the Food Chain

Biennial Outputs

• Studies on priorities for assuring food quality and safety in the handling, processing and marketing food chain
• Review and appraisal of methodologies for evaluating problems and improving quality and safety in developing countries
• Guidelines and strategies for governments and organizations on feasible and cost-effective management systems for improving food quality, safety and competitiveness in developing countries 
• Assessment and promotion of cost-effective technologies and good practices for improving quality and safety in product handling, processing, packaging, storage, transportation, and marketing 

214P2 - Agricultural Services - Data and Information Systems

Biennial Outputs

• Standards and Codes of Conduct for Agricultural Tools and Machinery
• Global Information and Data on Farm Power and Mechanization 
• New modules for the INPho Website on food quality and safety for new products and on marketing
• Coverage of new products in INPho (organic foods and standards, orphan crops, niche markets, etc..)
• Further development and maintenance of agricultural and rural finance (AgriBank-Stat) database
• Internet information platform for farm and farming systems economics (InFarm) 
• Budget data for selected farm enterprises and commodities 

214S1 - Field Programme Support and Advisory Services to Countries

Biennial Outputs

• Field programme support on agricultural management, marketing and rural finance 
• Field programme support on agricultural mechanization, food and agro-industries 
• Direct advisory services to countries on agricultural management, marketing and rural finance 
• Direct advisory services to countries on agricultural mechanization, food and agro-industries
• Technical support and training related to planning, monitoring and evaluation in the SPFS
• Technical support relating to provision of services in emergency programmes, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan

Programme 2.1.5: Agricultural Applications of Isotopes and Biotechnology

(All amounts in US$ 000)

67. While maintaining, to the extent possible, the agreed FAO contribution to the joint programme with IAEA, reductions to some activities had to be made. Under 215A1 work on understanding nutrient and water dynamics under conservation agriculture and to develop protocols for molecular characterization and selection of germplasm containing mutated genes will be more limited than planned, leading to delayed outputs. Under 215A2, work on screwworms will be restricted to providing technical and policy advice. Under 215P1, training modules and workshops for policy and technical-level decision makers within the framework of good agricultural practices will deal only with fertilizers, pesticides and veterinary drug residues. Similar work on mycotoxins will be eliminated and the information made available through the International Food Contaminant and Residues Information System scaled down.

215A1 - Sustainable Intensification of Crop Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-Building

Biennial Outputs

• Guidelines for determining C stocks and balance in crop and pasture systems 
• Guidelines for determining N fertilizer efficiency and N balance in cropping systems
• Methodologies for determining crop water productivity
• Improved national capacities for pilot-testing and demonstrating integrated soil, water and nutrient management practices 
• Protocols for molecular characterisation of mutated genes and plant genetic resources for selection of germplasm 
• Cellular, molecular biology and induced mutation methodologies for banana improvement
• Database on officially released mutant varieties
• Analysis of the global impact of mutation-derived varieties
• Training and infrastructure strengthening for integrating modern biotechnologies in national plant breeding programmes 
• Guidelines for production, handling and shipping of natural enemies
• Guidelines for quality assurance of mass produced and released fruit flies in area-wide intervention programmes
• Draft standard on transboundary shipment of sterile insects
• Manual for assessing the economic returns of fruit fly SIT programmes
• New and improved procedures for SIT application against moth pest insects 
• Improved national and regional capacities for planning and implementing area-wide SIT interventions

215A2 - Sustainable Intensification of Livestock Production Systems through Technologies and Capacity-building

Biennial Outputs

• Proceedings of an International Symposium on gene-based technologies for improving animal production and health 
• Manual on gene-based technologies in animal nutrition and genetics
• Guidelines for improving artificial breeding of cattle in Africa
• Training on assessing and more efficiently managing feed resources, breeding and local genotypes 
• Results from serological surveys in support of GREP and information on diagnostic assays and reagents for EMPRES diseases, including reference DNA and serum banks
• Validated methods for separating vaccinated from naturally infected FMD animals and for assessing the effectiveness of vaccination strategies against Newcastle disease in village poultry
• Manual for sampling and analysis of veterinary drugs in meat and milk
• Advice to the OIE Standards Committee on validation criteria for diagnostic assays and accreditation of laboratories
• Training and capacity building for managing transboundary livestock diseases
• Technologies and guidelines for area-wide decision making on tsetse interventions in Africa
• Validated methods for determining mating compatibility and for defining tsetse populations genetically
• Results from international network on screwworm population genetics 
• Support to the PAAT and PATTEC
• Institutional capacity building for planning and implementing interventions

215P1 - Capacity Building and Risk Analysis Methodologies for Compliance with Food Safety Standards and Pesticide Control and Strengthened Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures through Irradiation of Food and Agricultural Commodities

Biennial Outputs

• Training modules and courses covering the areas of pesticide residues and pesticide formulation control 
• Guidance documents on: sampling plans for field surveys; estimating uncertainty of sampling and results of analysis of pesticide residues and mycotoxins; testing the stability of pesticide residues
• Regularly updated web-based International Food Contaminant and Residues Information System (INFOCRIS), also available on CD-ROM 
• Training of analysts and policy makers through workshops, networks and field projects on principles of quality management and good analytical and agricultural practices, and procedures that support laboratory accreditation for analysis of food contaminant 
• Training on joint FAO/IAEA Action Plan for preparing and responding to nuclear or radiological emergencies in relation to food and agriculture
• Publication on the effectiveness of the food irradiation process in ensuring the hygienic quality of fresh, minimally processed foods of plant origin
• Publication on effectiveness of irradiation for ensuring quarantine security against insect pests in food and agricultural products
• Training of food control and plant quarantine personnel and provision of regularly updated science-based information on food irradiation