Country Statements and General Debate
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
1. recommended that analytical studies be undertaken to assess the impact of structural adjustment programmes and draw the appropriate conclusions, (para. 26)2. urged countries to continue to implement measures necessary to establish appropriate databases on the socio-economic situation of rural women and their needs, and to ensure that programmes for sustainable agricultural development incorporate the gender-disaggregated information, (para. 27)
3. called on all African Member Nations to demonstrate their support for the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Africa, (CIRDAFRICA) as a viable institution working for the promotion of sustainable rural development across the continent, (para. 34)
4. recommended that Member Nations formulate policies and programmes to harness water for agriculture with a view to sustainable development, (para. 35)
For the Attention of FAO
The Conference:
5. recommended FAO update its study "African Agriculture - the Next 25 Years", and especially, update its study on the irrigation potential in Africa so as to have the most realistic data available, (para. 35)6. recommended FAO establish an African Commission for Land and Water Development which would undertake, inter alia;
i) The promotion of improved land and water use techniques for sustainable agriculture and rural development;ii) The compilation of a land and water development and conservation database which would serve as a forum of exchange for land and water use-related problems; and
iii) The formulation of recommendations of ways and means for FAO to enhance its assistance to the countries of the Region for the development of efficient water use for both irrigated and rainfed crops, (para. 35)
Report on FAO Activities in the Region 1992-93
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
7. urged Member Nations to monitor the rural-urban drift situation closely so as to introduce appropriate measures that would make the rural areas more attractive and thereby significantly reduce rural exodus, (para. 41)8. recommended that Ministers of Agriculture in the Member Nations of the Region make strenuous efforts to sensitize Ministers in charge of National Departments of Finance and other key ministries, as well as Heads of State and Government to understand the most vital and urgent need to prioritize agriculture, (para. 43)
For the Attention of FAO
The Conference:
9. requested FAO to assist Member Nations take appropriate measures in establishing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms for technology transfer and research, (para. 40)10. recommended that the FAO and other concerned international ancies, such as the OAU ensure that, during international meetings, Ministers of Agriculture interact with Ministers in charge of National Departments of Finance and other key ministries as well as Heads of State whenever the opportunity arose to emphasize the essential role of agriculture in national development, (para. 43)
Promoting Agricultural Cooperation through a Common African Agricultural Programme
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
11. recommended that a pragmatic approach be pursued in promoting economic integration and cooperation with clearly defined implementation phases, (para. 52)
For the Attention of FAO
The Conference:
12. recommended that FAO intensify its efforts to make the development, implementation and monitoring of the Common African Agricultural Programme (CAAP) a standing item on the agenda of future Regional Conferences, in order to ensure continuing participation of the Conference in this process, (para. 51)13. recommended that FAO continue providing technical assistance to strengthen the analytical capacity of individual Member Nations, as well as integration groupings in the area of policy analysis, (para. 52)
14. appealed to FAO to provide support to Member Nations in assisting them to create favourable conditions for enhancing trade among African countries, (para. 52)
Outcome of the 106th Session of the Council and its Implications for the Present and Future Activities of FAO in the Region
For the Attention of FAO
The Conference:
15. invited the Council to continue to monitor the implementation of its decisions and give guidance and support to the Organization in regard to present and future activities of FAO in the Region, (para. 62)
Preparation for the 1996 World Food Summit
For the Attention of FAO The Conference:
16. endorsed the convening of the World Food Summit, (para. 67)
Development of Technologies in the Context of an Eco-regional Approach for Sustainable Agricultural Production in Africa
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
17. recommended that national and international programmes support the timely availability of key inputs such as water development and management facilities, credit, quality seed and fertilizer to the farmers in appropriate quantities, (para. 80)18. noted that the scourge of drought was now assuming an almost permanent trait in the Region and that this called for a more research oriented investigation of the problem, (para. 81)
19. recommended that analysis be carried out on the bottlenecks in the formulation and/or implementation of appropriate technology research programmes and steps be taken at the policy level for their removal, (para. 82)
20. recommended that enhancing the capacity of the human resource base receive high priority in national and international programmes and that an appropriate process be developed and applied for identifying national human resources development priorities including the needs of women farmers, (para. 83)
For the attention of FAO
The Conference:
21. recommended that FAO initiate action to update the study - "African Agriculture: The Next 25 Years". (para. 79)22. recommended that FAO support the efforts of Member Nations to develop farm irrigation and small dam programmes. (para. 80)
23. requested that FAO provide assistance to help Member Nations develop efficient research and training facilities, and distribution networks for such key inputs as high quality seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, etc., with a view to increasing agricultural productivity. (para. 80)
Follow-up to the International Scheme for the Conservation and Rehabilitation of African Lands (lSCRAL) and the Role of FAO in the Implementation of the "Urgent Action for Africa", in Relation to the "International Convention to Combat Desertification"
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
24. recommended that countries take steps to enhance effectiveness in implementing desertification programmes by pooling resources and responsibilities together at the national level among different Ministries, as well as between countries. (para. 91)
For the Attention of FAO
25. recommended that FAO intensify its assistance to Member Nations in the field of land and water conservation. (para. 90)26. recommended that FAO continue its assistance to the International Scheme for Conservation and Rehabilitation of African lands and called for a greater interest in long-term financial support from the donor community in the implementation of the programme. (para. 93)
A Proposal for a Diversification Facility for African Commodities (DFAC)
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
27. recommended that small farmers and their organizations be represented in National Diversification Councils. (para. 100)28. recommended that African countries now consider dismantling artificial barriers to trade. (para. 101)
Desert Locust Control in the Region and Preparation for Future Campaigns
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
29. requested potential donors, as well as affected countries, to give their full support and cooperation in the implementation of EMPRES. (para. 107)30. urged countries to establish preparedness capabilities for future campaigns. (para. 108)
For the attention of FAO
31. requested the Director-General that an effort be made to extend EMPRES to include the West and North-west recession invasion areas and other similarly afflicted areas. (para. 107)32. recommended that FAO continue to provide assistance to the countries concerned in the preparation of future campaigns. (para. 109)
Representation of the Region on the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
33. recommended that CGIAR give greater attention to sustainability issues and the needs of fragile ecosystems. (para. 113)34. recommended that CGIAR set and implement its research agenda through a participatory approach with effective involvement by developing countries. (para. 113)
35. approved the nomination of Dr (Mrs) Ntombana Regina Gata of Zimbabwe to represent the Region on the CGIAR for the period 1995-98. (para. 116)
Report of the Follow-up to the International Conference on Nutrition (ICN)
For the Attention of Governments
The Conference:
36. urged Member Nations to improve their inter-sectoral mechanisms for addressing nutrition issues which would involve more actively the food and agriculture sectors and recommended that new action programmes and approaches be formulated which would involve the objectives adopted at the ICN. (para. 124)37. recommended that nutrition policies and considerations be integrated into National Action Plans and existing programmes. (para. 125)
For the Attention of FAO
38. recommended that FAO continue its support to countries to facilitate the preparation of National Plans of Action for Nutrition, as well as foster interagency cooperation at the country level on implementing ICN follow-up activities. (para. 126)
Date and Place of the Nineteenth FAO Regional Conference for Africa
For the Attention of FAO
The Conference:
39. noted the offer of Burundi to host the Nineteenth FAO Regional Conference for Africa and requested that it be conveyed to the Director-General, who would decide on the date and place of the Conference in consultation with Member Governments of the Region. (para. 127)
