2008 fao report to copac

1

2008 Annual Report on

FAO activities in support of producer organizations and

cooperatives

for the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of

Cooperatives (COPAC)

Prepared by E. L. Crowley

1, Chair, S. Gaona Sáez and Bernd Seiffert

FAO Inter-Departmental Committee and Inter-Departmental Working Group

on Institution Building for Agriculture and Rural Development

29 January 2009

The views expressed in this report are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

1 We are grateful to the members of the Inter Departmental Task Force, the Inter Departmental Committee on

Institution Building for Agriculture and Rural Development and the many other FAO officers and management

at headquarters (from AGNS, AGNP, AGSF, AGSP, AGST, AGPC, AGPP, AGAP, TCAP, TCES, TCEO,

TCOS, NRLA, NRLW, NRCB, NRRR, FIIU, ESTT, and decentralized levels (FAORLC, FAOSLC, FAOSNE,

FAORAP, FAORNE, FAOSAP, FAOSFC, FAOSFS) for their inputs, review, and guidance on this report.

3

List of abbreviations

ACP – Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific

AGA – FAO Animal Production and Health Division

AGAH – FAO Animal Health Service

AGAP – FAO Animal Production Service

AGN – FAO Nutrition and Consumer Protection Division

AGNP – FAO Nutrition and Consumer Protection Division

AGNS – FAO Food Safety and Quality Service

AGP – FAO Plant Production and Protection Division

AGPC – FAO Crop and Grassland Service

AGPP- FAO Plant Protection Service

AGPS – FAO Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Unit

AGS – FAO Rural Infra-structure and Agro-industries Division

AGSF – FAO Agricultural Management, Marketing and Finance Service

AGST – FAO Food Engineering Technology Service

ALA - Latin-American Poultry Association

APIPNM - Asia Pacific Integrated Plant Nutrient Management Network

AU - Agreement of Understanding

AVE - Assistance for the Epidemiological Surveillance of Geo-referenced Avian

Influenza

CA – Conservation Agriculture

CAADP - Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme

CARIFORUM/CARICOM – Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States /Caribbean

Community

CBOs - Community-Based Organizations

CDMP - Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme

CEP - Champs-écoles des Producteurs

CSO – Civil Society Organization

CTA - Centre Technique de Coopération Agricole et Rurale

DIVA - Diversification, Intensification et Valorisation des Produits Agricoles Locaux

EAAF – East African Farmers Federation

4

EC – European Commission

ECO – Economic Cooperation Organization

ESA – FAO Agriculture and Development Economics Division

ESAE – FAO Agricultural Sector In Economic Development Service

ESAF – FAO Food Security and Agricultural Projects Analysis Unit

EST – FAO Trade and Markets Division

ESTT – FAO Trade Policy Service

ESW – FAO Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division

FAORAP – FAO Sub-regional Office for Asia and the Pacific

FAORLC – FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

FAORNE – FAO Regional Office for the Near East

FAOSAP – FAO Sub-regional Office for the Pacific Islands

FAOSEC - FAO Sub-regional Office for Central Asia

FAOSFC – FAO Sub-regional Office for Central Africa

FAOSFS - FAO Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa

FAOSNE – FAO Sub-regional Office for North Africa

FBO – Farmer Based Organizations

FFS – Farmers Field Schools

FIEP – FAO Fisheries Development Planning Service

FII – FAO Fish Products and Industry Division

FIIT – FAO Fishing Technology Service

FIMA – FAO Aquaculture Management and Conservation Service

FIMF – FAO Fisheries Management and Conservation Service

FIRI – FAO Inland Water Resources and Aquaculture Service

FOE – FAO Forest Economics and Policy Division

FOEP – FAO Forest Economics, Policy and Institutions Service

FOIP – FAO Forest Products Service

FOM – FAO Forest Management Division

FOMR – FAO Forest Resources Development Service

FSCA - Food Security through Commercialization of Agriculture

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FTJER - Evaluación del Programa de Fondo de Tierras y Joven Emprendedor Rural

GAP - Good Agricultural Practices

GI – Geographical Indication

GIAHS - Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems

GIPD - Gestion Intégrée de la Production et des Déprédateurs

HPAI - Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

IARBIC - Intensification de l’Agriculture par le Renforcement des Boutiques d’Intrants Coopératives

ICARRD - International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development

IDC – Inter Departmental Committee

IDWG – Inter Departmental Working Group

IFAD – International Fund for Agricultural Development

IIRR – International Institution of Rural Reconstruction

ILO – International Labour Organization

IPM - Integrated Pest Management

IPPM - Integrated Plant and Pest Management

ISFP - Initiative on Soaring Food Prices

IUF – International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers’

Associations

JFFLS - Junior Farmers Field and Life Schools

KCEF – FAO Outreach and Capacity Building Branch

LADA - Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands

LEGN – FAO Development Legal Service

LTU – Lead Technical Unit

MERCOSUR – Common Market of the Southern Cone

MoA – Ministry of Agriculture

NARES - National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems

NEDAC - Regional Network for the Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific

NFP - National Forest Programme

NGOs – Non-Governmental Organizations

NRC – FAO Environment, Climate Change and Bioenergy Division

NRCB – FAO Climate Change and Bioenergy Unit

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NRL – FAO Land and Water Division

NRLA – FAO Land Tenure and Management Unit

NRLW – FAO Water Development and Management Unit

NRR – FAO Research and Extension Division

NRRR – FAO Research and Extension Unit

PCA – Programme Cooperation Agreement

PES – Payment for Environmental Services

PFNL - Produits Forestiers Non Ligneux

PICTS - Pacific Island Countries and Territories

PMH - Petite et Moyenne Hydraulique

PRCC - Pacific Roundtable on Climate Change

PROPAC - Platform of Peasant Organizations of Central Africa

PSA - Participatory System Analysis

RKN - Rural Knowledge Network

RLCP - FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

ROPPA – Reséaux des Organisations Paysannes et de Producteurs Agricoles de l’Afrique de l’Ouest

RTM - Round Table Meeting

RUFIP - Rural Financial Intermediation Programme

SADC - Southern African Development Community Secretariat

SARD – Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development

SDAR – FAO Participation Service

SDR – FAO Research, Extension and Training Division

SLM - Sustainable Land Management

SME – Small and Medium Enterprise

SMFE - Small and Medium Forest Enterprise

SPFS – Special Programme for Food Security

SVO – State Veterinary Office

TCEO – FAO Emergency Operations Service

TCI – FAO Investment Centre Division

TCIS - FAO Investment Centre

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TCO – FAO Field Operations Division

TCOS – FAO Programme for Food Security Management and Coordination Service

TCP – Technical Cooperation Project

UFA - Unités Forestières d’Aménagement

UNCTAD - United Nations Conference on Trade and Development

UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization

WBGS – West Bank and the Gaza Strip

WFP – World Food Programme

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Structure of the report

1. Summary and overview

2. Activities undertaken in 2008

a) Policy processes and advice to member countries on co-operative and

producer group enterprise development and support to producer organizations to participate in policy dialogue

(i) Farmer organizations and cooperatives

i.1 Regional

Africa

Asia

i.2 National

i.3 Global / cross-regional

b) Direct technical support services to field projects in member countries


i.1 Africa

Regional

National

i.2 Asia and the Pacific

Regional

National

i.3 Europe

Regional

National

i.4 Latin America and the Caribbean

Regional

National

i.5 Near East

Regional

National


(ii) Forest users organizations

ii.1 Africa

Regional

National

ii.2 Asia and the Pacific

National

iii.3 Global / cross-regional

(iii) Fisher organizations

iii.1 Africa

National

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iii.2 Asia and the Pacific

National

iii.3 Near East

Regional

National

c) Helping to create an enabling environment


i.1 Africa

Regional

National


National


National

i.4 Near East

National


d) Good practices and success cases with evidence of impact

e) Meetings held and regional networking activities supported

Africa

Asia and the Pacific

Near East

Global / cross-regional

f) Any other relevant activities at national and regional level g) Knowledge platforms for producer organizations’ capacity development

Africa


Latin America and the Caribbean


3. Activities for 2009-2010

a) Policy processes and advice to member countries on co-operative and

producer group enterprise development and support to producer organizations to participate in policy dialogue

a.1. Regional

Africa



Near East



Africa

10


Near East


c) Publications, issues papers and normative guidelines in support of producer organizations

and cooperative development


d) Global and regional meetings to be held and networking activities to be supported Africa


Near East


e) Other relevant meetings and activities at national and regional level

Africa



Near East


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1. Summary and Overview

The first year of the biennium 2008-2009 marked an increased recognition by FAO of the

importance of effective institutions, including producer organizations, for the achievement of

food security. The June 2008 FAO ’’High-Level Conference on World Food Security: The

Challenges of Climate Change and Bioenergy’’ inspired a resurgence of public interest in the

effectiveness and failures of a wide range of public and private institutions that play a critical

role in enabling producers to take advantage of the benefits and mitigate the risks of food

price volatility. This renewed interest led to a consolidation of FAO’s interdepartmental

working mechanisms for institution building2 and a re-examination of how best to address

institution building, including producer organizations, within FAO’s new Strategic

Framework 2010-2013 which is currently being refined and is expected to be approved by

FAO’s Governing Bodies in November 2009. Within that framework, technical support to

build capacity, particularly for rural institutions, is recognized as a crosscutting Core Function

of FAO and as such is in many respects being mainstreamed into other higher level priorities

of the Organization, while it provides substantial contributions to capacity building through

field programmes in many countries.

The vast majority of FAO’s technical support to institution building, focused on producer

organizations and cooperatives, is provided through sectoral programmes and projects3 by

over 20 technical units. These areas of support can be grouped roughly into the following

three areas:

1. Specific technical skills and knowledge (especially commercial enterprises

(agriculture, fisheries, forestry) farm management, food producer and consumer

groups, natural resource management, emergency and rehabilitation and disaster risk

management

2. Representation and participation of producer organizations (farmers, fishers, and

forest users) in agriculture and rural development policy formulation

3. Mainstreaming support to producer organizations in investment programmes and

national institutions (i.e. research and extension)

FAO has changed the balance in the nature of its support to producer organizations and

cooperatives, with increasing emphasis on development of professional organizations that can

provide commercially viable services to their members. FAO has moved away from directly

supporting producer organizations as local community organizations, now increasingly

working in the direction of helping to reinforce the roles that producer organizations and

cooperatives can play in supporting farm commercialization and integration of producers into

modernizing value chains.

Nevertheless, an important area of ambiguity remains: that FAO’s governing bodies have

never explicitly highlighted support to producer organizations and cooperatives as a priority

2 In 2008 the Interdepartmental Task Force that had coordinated FAO’s work on producer organizations, cooperatives, and chambers of

agriculture merged with an Inter Departmental Committee that was set up to support national level investments related to institution building

in the context of the Initiative on Soaring Food Prices (ISFP). The IDTF/IDC is now co-chaired by three divisions (Gender, Equity and Rural

Employment (ESW), Rural Infrastructure and Agro-Industries (AGS), and the Strategic Planning Unit (ODGS). Two task teams are orienting

institution building inputs to the ISFP Country assessments, FAO’s new Strategic Framework, the Medium Term Plan (2010-2013) and the

Programme of Work and Budget (2010-2011). 3 See Annex A for more details on projects by country, region and Lead Technical Unit (LTU): ftp://extftp01/es/Data/ESW/GeographicalDistribution/ and Annex B for more details on LTUs’ technical competencies:

ftp://extftp01/es/Data/ESW/LTUCompetencyTable/

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area of work. The report of the Independent External Evaluation of the FAO (2007)

considered “institutional strengthening for farmer learning, agricultural education and research” to

be among the “...areas identified where there are gaps in the global architecture but to which

countries were not necessarily addressing high priority and where FAO would have difficulty in re-

establishing significant capacity without major additional resources...”(page 26)

This has led to an attrition in funding and technical capacities in FAO over the years. Yet

about a dozen Government requests (mostly from the Africa Region) are made to FAO each

year for this very type of support and at least one fourth of all governments who developed

NMTPFs since 2006 for the 2006 to 2013 period (eight Member Governments4) explicitly

mentioned institution building as a priority in their National Medium Term Priority

Frameworks (NMTPF). The priority that Governments place in this area of work is further

corroborated by a rapid survey undertaken by FAO’s Director General (2007/2008) which

confirmed the high priority that 35 Member Countries place in capacity building of farmer

organizations and cooperatives. Furthermore, producer organizations themselves continue to

lobby for increased involvement in the work of the Organization.

Yet, Government deliberations in 2008 associated with FAO Reform have resulted in an

Immediate Plan of Action and draft Strategic Objectives (approved by FAO’s 35th

Conference

in November 2008) in which support to producer organizations and cooperatives remain

notably sparse. The absence of a clear lead unit and the very limited capacity to respond to

government requests for cross-sectoral technical assistance and broad support to producer

organizations, cooperatives, and community based organizations in 2008, resulted in such

requests being handled as a temporary measure by FAO’s decentralized multidisciplinary

teams and the Technical Cooperation Department.5 This temporary arrangement has not been

fully satisfactory, and the setting up of an alternative mechanism is a priority for the short

future.

For the time being, FAO will continue to support producer organizations in its field

programme primarily “in those areas which are of priority nature in the framework of

medium and long term response to the food crisis’’. Other areas of institution building work,

such as restructuring of public institutions, which had been dropped from FAO’s work

programme in the same way, however, have subsequently been reabsorbed by other technical

units. However, to adequately address the wide range of institution building needs in the

agricultural sector and particularly given the important institutional reforms (Ministries,

research and extension systems, marketing, etc.), the sub-regional offices would need to be

strengthened by a position specialised in institution building. In 2009, special efforts will be

needed to ensure that institution building of producer organizations, cooperatives and other

institutions that support small producers is appropriately integrated into the Strategic

Framework to be able to respond effectively to demands from Member Governments over the

next four years. Finally, it is important to note that FAO has - and will continue to -

collaborate with other development partners to promote and strengthen institution building

and producer organisations through a range of activities and interventions - in alignment with

the Paris Declaration, efforts to improve Rome-based agency cooperation and the One-UN

system, and in support of the MDGs.

4These Member Countries are Cambodia (2006), Lao PDR (2008), Indonesia (2009), Pakistan (2007), Thailand (2007), Yemen (2006-2010),

Gabon (2009) and Democratic Republic of Congo (2009). 5

These concerns were raised and documented in a Special Meeting of the Field Programme Committee (FPC) in February 2008 and then

brought to the Director Generals attention in September 2008.

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Notwithstanding the above, the discussions held during two recent important Conferences

may represent a turning point in the relations of FAO with producer organizations and

cooperatives. During the June 2008 High-Level Conference, a proposal to develop a Global

Partnership for Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition with Civil Society Organizations was

launched by some FAO members, and reconfirmed at the more recent January 2009 ‘’Madrid

High-Level Meeting on Food Security for All’’ in its statement: participants ‘’agreed on the

importance of an inclusive and broad process of consultation on options leading to the

establishment of a Global Partnership for Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition’’ and

emphasized the importance that ‘’the consultations should be open to the full range of

stakeholders involved in agriculture, food security and nutrition (including farmers’

organizations, civil society organizations, women’s organizations, private sector, developing

country governments, and both regional and international organisations)’’. The Meeting also

gave guidelines to start setting up a representative contact group, under the control of the

Committee on Food Security, accountable to all interested partners, to guide and oversee the

consultation process.

Selected achievements in 2008:

In 2008, FAO’s key achievements specifically relating to producer organizations include the

following:

o 10 major global and regional policy processes/initiatives were supported,

o some 22 publications were produced6

o 12 knowledge platforms/portals were developed or maintained,

o 21 relevant good practices were identified,

o 122 technical assistance projects were formulated or implemented, and

o 35 conferences/meetings/consultations/awareness raising/training events were

held, all of which were directly or indirectly supportive of organizations of farmers,

fishers, forest users, agricultural enterprises and cooperatives.

o FAO supported producer organizations in 120 countries.

Specific highlights among FAO’s organization-wide achievements include:

� As the Director General’s request, a state of the art paper on Strengthening

Agricultural Institutions to benefit smallholders in developing countries, was

prepared in the context of the ISFP and identified key information, organizational and

enabling environment failures that reduce smallholder production. The paper provided

operational guidelines for developing country level approaches to overcome these

institutional bottlenecks, identified six institutional good practices that have proven

effective in a number of country contexts, and provided investment templates for

institutional strengthening related to i) programme management for capacity

development of public institutions in Africa, ii) farmer organizations, iii) Farmer Field

Schools, iv) research and extension, v) access to quality seeds, vi) fertilizer and seed

distribution, vii) output marketing, viii) finance and credit, ix) livestock, x) meat for

Africa; xi) milk for Asia and xii) milk for Africa (see

ftp://extftp01/es/Data/ESW/StrengtheningAgriculturalInstitutions/)

6 Please see Annex C for recent publications, issues papers, normative guidelines, e-learning tools, policy briefs and workshop/conference

proceedings: ftp://extftp01/es/Data/ESW/RecentPublications/ and Annex D for an inventory of other FAO resources of value to producer

organizations and cooperatives: ftp://extftp01/es/Data/ESW/OtherResources/

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� Improved access by internet users to 350 additional FAO publications and learning

resources and revised and updated institution building materials targeted to producer

organizations through FAO’s Capacity Building Portal. (see

http://www.fao.org/capacitybuilding/)

� Key service providers specialized in providing support to producer organizations

were identified, assessed and classified based on services offered/planned in 2008-

2009, nature of training activities, funding sources, geographic scope, key clients,

average size, etc. with the aim of selecting potential future partners

� A Partnership with ILO was initiated in the framework of the COOPAfrica and

FAO shared experience and materials at the Technical Workshop on Cooperative

Tools Development (27-29 August, Nairobi), as well as organized a field trip to a

dairy cooperative which uses open source licensed Enterprise Resource Planning

Software COOPWORKS. (For more information see

http://www.coopworks.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=9&Itemid

=39). This collaboration is a continuation of the partnership with ILO in the areas of

agricultural cooperatives development and rural employment ( See: http://www.fao-

ilo.org/)

� Programme and project proposals were prepared for financial support for

Institution Building (EU Food Security Thematic Programme, Government of France,

the Soaring Food Prices Initiative, a subset of ISFP proposals) see: ftp://ext-

ftp.fao.org/ES/Data/ESW/EC_FAO_FSTP_identification/ and ftp://ext-

ftp.fao.org/ES/Data/ESW/AGSF_Farmer_organizations/

� the 14th UN International Day of Cooperatives was celebrated focusing on

Confronting Climate Change through Cooperative Enterprise in partnership with

the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC).

(see http://www.copac.coop/idc/2008-fao-en.pdf)

Plans for 2009

The focus of FAO’s institution building work in 2009 will be as follows:

� direct or indirect technical assistance to producer organizations in 69 countries in

Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Pacific7

� technically advice to the Initiative on Soaring Food Prices to help strengthen country

strategies for responding to food price volatility, by working to reinforce institutions

(including producer organizations and cooperatives) involved in distributing

agricultural inputs (seeds, tools, fertilizer, animal vaccines, etc.) to food producers, in

processing, storing, and marketing food, and in providing the medium and long term

research, extension, and market information needed to increase food production.

Investment templates developed for this purpose may also be used to support the

development of national investment plans on institution building to lay the

groundwork for the Conference on Feeding the World in 2050.

� guidance in revising FAO’s new Strategic Framework 2010-2013, Medium Term

Plan and Programme of Work to ensure that institution building is adequately reflected

7This refers to the information provided by relevant LTUs on both assistance that they already initiated in 2008, and that will continue

through 2009, and assistance that they will start in 2009

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in the organizational results, indicators, and core functions and to improve the way in

which outcomes in this area are monitored, coordinated, and reported on in the future.

� preparation of a draft publication on Good Practices in Building Agricultural

Institutions, identifying innovative institutional models that merit greater global

attention and scaling up.

� continued collection and uploading of new FAO learning resources designed for

producer organizations on FAO’s Capacity Building portal.

� meeting with FAO’s Director General and a selection of representatives of producer

organizations in Bellagio, Italy (end May 2009) to define how to strengthen the

involvement of small producers in the work of the Organization. The development

of proposals for practical ways to develop partnerships with farmers' organizations and

their representatives will be a priority for the whole Organization in 2009.

� continued development of partnerships with organizations that strengthen the

capacities of key agricultural institutions or promote significant reinvestment in the

agricultural sector, while recognizing the inadequacy of institutions to support

smallholders in developing countries as a serious constraint to agriculture

development.

In 2009, FAO will also undertake analytical support to the identification of appropriate

institution building, under which at least the following outputs are expected in the first half of

the year:

� a paper evaluating recently implemented input delivery programmes to develop

insights for informing the design of future delivery systems in the context of higher

food and fertilizer prices.

� an assessment of alternative mechanisms by which state support has been used to

leverage greater private sector involvement in poorly functioning value chains.

� a review of existing organizational forms of smallholder farmers’ associations and

their contractual relationships with other market participants considering the

prevailing structure of sectoral value chains.

2. Activities undertaken in 2008

a) Policy processes and advice to member countries on co-operative and producer

group enterprise development and support to producer organizations to

participate in policy dialogue


i.1 Regional

Africa:

• FAOSFS is currently completing thematic based policy review studies (crops,

livestock, natural resource management and forestry, fisheries, land, water and

irrigation, emergency preparedness, trade and marketing) for key sectors

related to food and nutrition security for selected countries in the sub-region:

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Lesotho, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The

policy review is meant to identify policy interventions, to be consolidated into

a policy synthesis paper that should contribute to strengthening the resilience

of the countries’ food and nutrition security systems to climatic and economic

shocks. The identified policy interventions include support for stronger farmer

(producers, co-operatives, interest-based groups) associations for the

agriculture, forestry, fisheries and related sectors.

• Improvement of Food Security in Cross-border Districts of Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, in Support of the Modernization of Agriculture under NEPAD Framework (GTFS/RAF/391/ITA – LTU: AGSF / 2006/2009) and

Inter-Country Coordination for Projects GTFS/SEN/060/ITA, GTFS/MLI/030/ITA, GTFS/GBS/028/ITA, GTFS/SIL/028/ITA and GTFS/LIR/010/ITA (GTFS/RAF/426/ITA – LTU: TCOS / 2008/2011). With

funding provided by the Government of Italy, support is being provided to

reinforce the management, market linkage and services provision capacities of

farmer based organizations in 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa: Burundi,

Ruanda, Uganda, Malawi, Zambia, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Senegal and

Sierra Leone (please refer to the further direct technical support section for

more information on these projects).

Asia:

• FAORAP provided technical and policy support and training materials on

agricultural cooperative development to member countries, in collaboration

with the Regional Network for the Development of Agricultural

Cooperatives in Asia and the Pacific (NEDAC:

http://www.nedac.org.in/Index.htm), a network composed of governments and

cooperative movements from 13 Asian government countries and serving

about 3 million agricultural cooperatives in the region.

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i.2 National

• Land Administration Programme. FAO is currently preparing the second

phase of this investment programme to be implemented in Honduras. The

overall objective of this programme includes strengthening property rights in

the country through modernization of the legal framework, and institutional

strengthening. The objective of phase II is to continue to strengthen the legal,

institutional and technological framework for property rights in the country,

and it includes a component by which strengthening of indigenous and afro-

descendant peoples’ (and their organizations) property rights is foreseen. The

programme is expected to last for 12 more years.

• Rural Financial Intermediation Programme (RUFIP) FAO is providing

substantial support to this investment programme in Lesotho, in which

institution building is the main thrust. The overall goal of the programme is to

alleviate poverty, increase income and contribute to the overall economic

development. The programme objective is to enhance access of the rural poor

to efficient financial services on a sustainable basis. Two of the programme

components are: a) Development of member-based financial institutions,

including capacity building of financial cooperatives and capacity building of

informal financial groups, and b) facilitating the rural outreach of formal

financial institutions, where one of the sub-components is promoting linkages

between commercial banks and financial groups and cooperatives.

• FAOSFS is providing regular support to national Conservation Agriculture

(CA) Task Forces in the Southern Africa sub-region, (particularly Zimbabwe),

with the objective of strengthening capacity for support for the

institutionalization of CA, with a view of enhancing up-scaling of CA in the

sub-region. CA is hereby recognized as an opportunity for establishment of

strong producer organisations and cooperatives in the sub-region.

i.3 Global / cross regional

• All ACP Commodities Programme (GCP /INT/045/EC – LTU: ESTD / 2007-

2010). Through this EU-funded programme, regional workshops were

organized with apex farmer federations and organizations in Eastern and

Southern Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific in order to consider strategies

and priorities for increase member organization capacities for helping their

members link into modern value chains (please refer to the section on direct

technical support for further information on this programme).

• Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development in Mountain Regions (SARD-M) (GCP /GLO/136/MUL - LTU: ESWD / 2005-2009). Under this

global project, FAO is currently considering undertaking pilot actions on PES

to rural communities in mountain regions, under the project. The project was

funded by Switzerland, France and (initially) Japan to support the elaboration

of an analysis of SARD Mountain policies, institutions and processes

covering the Andes, Carpathians, South East Europe, Himalayas, and

Mediterranean Regions in 20 countries of the world. The study examined

18

institutions and processes involved in the formulation and implementation of

policies and how mountain people, including civil society and farmers

organizations, can be more accountable in this process (for further information

please see:

http://www.fao.org/sard/common/ecg/3003/en/SARDMinterregionalanalysisE.

pdf



i.1 Africa

Regional

• Appui aux Acteurs et leurs Organisations pour le Développement d’Unités Semi industrielles de Transformation Agroalimentaire pour la Réduction de la Pauvreté et de l’Insécurité Alimentaire (GCP /RAF/410/ITA - LTU: AGST

/ 2008-2010). This regional project involves Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and

Senegal and started at the end of 2008 with the following objectives : (i) to

strengthen technical, economical and organizational capacities of the

promoters of agricultural processing units at local level in order to increase and

diversify the supply of processed products and to improve commercialization;

(ii) multi-stakeholder co-operation (farmer organizations that promote

enterprises, experts and local NGOs, representatives of local NGOs) at national

level, in order to set up national forums for the valorisation of agricultural

products, that will be a platform for the exchange of experiences, for the

development/strengthening of a body of experts at local level. A Letter of

Agreement (LoA) has been signed with ROPPA (Réseaux des Organisations

Paysannes et de Producteurs de la Afrique de l’Ouest) in order to support

selected activities.

• Borlaug Global Rust Initiative (BGRI). The FAO Regional Office for North

Africa contributed to this intiative, established in 2005 with the overarching

objective of reducing the world’s vulnerability to stem, yellow, and leaf rusts

of wheat and advocating / facilitating the evolution of a sustainable

international system to contain the threat of wheat rusts. The initiative has

supported number of activities in the affected Near East countries (Yemen,

Iran, Sudan) targeting control of the disease and focusing on surveillance, race

identification and varietal testing, activities in which farmers organizations

have been involved.

• Gestion des Connaissances et Genre Capitalisation des Bonnes Pratiques en Appui à la Production Agricole et à la Sécurité Alimentaire (GCP

/GLO/210/MUL - LTU : KCEF / 2008-2012). The overall objective of this

regional project, which will involve 4 countries of Western Africa - Burkina

Faso, Mali, Niger and the Republic of Senegal – is to contribute to food

security of rural populations in arid agricultural areas, respecting men-women

equality and improving agricultural production through a better management

19

of inputs by farmers, individually or structured in farmer organizations. The

specific objective is to enlarge the possibilities for farmers to have access to

agricultural inputs in quantity, quality and at the time and place where these

are needed, and to be able to use them in a reasonable and environmentally

friendly manner through better knowledge management.

• Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). FAOSNE

participated as partner in the regional committee of the ‘’GIAHS’’ a project

whose overall goal is to identify and safeguard GIAHS and their associated

landscapes, agricultural biodiversity and knowledge systems through (between

other targets), building capacity of local farming communities and local

and national institutions to conserve and manage GIAHS, generate income

and add economic value to goods and services of such systems in a sustainable

fashion (for further information please see:

http://www.fao.org/sd/giahs/partners.asp)

• Increasing Incomes of Small Farmers through Exports of Organic and

Fairtrade Tropical Products (GCP /RAF/404/GER - LTU: ESTT / 2005-

2009). This regional project, whose first phase covered the period from July

2005 until September 2008, aimed at providing technical assistance to West-

African small farmers in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal and Sierra

Leone to certify and export organic and fair-trade products to European

markets and to develop normative tools for replication in other countries. The

immediate objectives are help grassroot institutional networks elaborate best

practices in organic agriculture for selected products and provide training in

production and marketing, an increasing number of farmer groups produce

selected crops according to best practices and comply with organic and/or

fairtrade standards and farmer groups and exporters become competent

partners for the European trade and are exporting. Building local partnerships

in the field is an essential objective of this project, involving farmer groups,

local representatives of the organic and fair-trade movements, processors and

importers, between others. The second phase of the project will be extended

until September 2009, with the aim of consolidating the groups of small

farmers. Manuals on Farmers’ Field Schools (FFS) on organic mango and

cocoa are currently being developed in the framework of this project and are

expected to be available by 2009.

• Inter-country coordination of national projects on Food Security through Commercialization (GTFS/RAF/426/ITA - LTU: TCOS / 2008-2011). This

project has been designed to coordinate Italian funded national food security

projects in Senegal, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia

(GTFS/SEN/060/ITA, GTFS/MLI/030/ITA, GTFS/GBS/028/ITA,

GTFS/SIL/028/ITA and GTFS/LIR/010/ITA) ensuring their coherence to the

same strategic framework. It will also address regional issues, such as access to

regional and international markets, food quality and safety, cross-border trade,

and harmonization of policies and institutions to support competitiveness and

modernization. Wherever possible, the programme will support the

development of entrepreneurship among small-scale farmers and the

emergence of a local private sector that could take up some of the upstream

and downstream activities of interest to agriculture. These activities in the field

20

will be supported with appropriate capacity building of farmer organizations

and related local technical officers of the Ministries of Agriculture through

specific institutional building activities. In the same context, two Italian-

funded projects for Guinea and the Gambia are under formulation and should

be operational in early 2009 (please refer to the concerned countries for further

information on the national projects).

• Programme Sous-régional de Formation Participative en Gestion Intégrée de la Production et des Déprédateurs des Cultures a travers les Champs-écoles des Producteurs (GIPD/CEP) pour le Bénin, Burkina Faso, Mali et Sénégal (GCP /RAF/009/NET - LTU : AGP / 2001-2010). The Phase I (2001-

2005) was implemented in 3 countries (Burkina, Mali, Senegal). The

programme trained 24,000 farmers and over 800 facilitators/trainers (from

NGOs, farmer organizations, and government) through FFS on Integrated

Plant and Pest Management (IPPM) and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)

for rice, vegetables and cotton-cereal-livestock mixed systems (and in some

countries mango, sesame, cassava). Phase II (2006-2010) is being implemented

in 4 countries (Burkina, Mali, Senegal, Benin) in which 130,000 farmers are

expected to be trained, as well as several hundred facilitators. Another sub-

regional programme EP/INT/606/GEF is soon to be approved and is expected

to include Mauritania, Niger, and Guinea. Strategic partnerships with several

key farmer organizations are also implemented through this programme in

each country with a view to building their capacity to provide technical

services to their members. Topics of training include (to different degrees in

different countries and crops) IPPM, soil fertility management, agro-forestry,

food safety and quality, organic agriculture, farm management, and soon

commercialization and business skills. Beside this capacity building

component, the combined programmes also include components on policy

reform (especially on pesticide management and extension) in which farmer

organizations will take a part, support to farmer groups/ cooperatives to

commercialize agricultural produce, pesticide risk reduction including

methodologies for Human Health Risk Assessment and monitoring of water

quality and pollution from agro-chemicals in the Niger and Senegal river

basins. This includes community-based management and monitoring in which

community-based organizations, farmer organizations and others take part.

• Protection of the Agri-Food Biodiversity and Development of the Local and Export Market in four West African Countries: Mali, Senegal, Guinea Bissau and Sierra Leone. (LTU: TCEO). The general objective of this

cooperation agreement between the Slow Food Foundation8 and the FAO

Project Inter-Country Coordination Project for Food Security in West Africa

(GTF/RAF/426/ITA, see above) is to improve the standards of living of rural

communities small producers involved in the project. The project will support

the development of origin-linked quality products (Presidia-product) in four

out of the five Western African countries involved in the GTF/RAF/426/ITA

project by strengthening the producers associations, the quality and

8 The Slow Food strategy aims at strengthening the local food chains, promoting the value of traditional crops

and breeding, at supporting the awareness of importance of local productions and self-esteem to communities

regarding food.

21

efficiency of productions, and introducing production regulations to protect

original product features and productions techniques at risk of disappearing.

• Rural Knowledge Network (RKN) pilot project for East Africa (GCP

/RAF/401/IFA - LTU: NRRR / 2006-2009). The goal of the project is to

initiate a people-centered knowledge management process, which is built on

farmers' expressed needs and which generates, shares and delivers information

to respond to their requirements and in a form they can understand. The RKN

approach builds on existing field work and farmer groups under FFS and FFS

Networks and initiate pilot activities in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The

project objectives are being achieved by responding to the day-to-day

information needs of small-holder farmers, NGO’s and Community-Based

Organizations (CBOs) in order to strengthen the capacity of smallholder

farmers to grow and market healthy crops and to deal with unexpected events

like pest outbreaks and by building strategic partnerships at national and local

levels so that farmers are better linked to their national partners and service

providers, both in the public and private sectors.

• Supporting Conservation Agriculture for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (CA for SARD) Phase II (GCP /RAF/413/GER - LTU: AGST /

2007-2010). The objective of this project is to contribute to the promotion of

growth and improved food security in Kenya and Tanzania through the scaling

up of conservation agriculture (CA) as a Sustainable Land Management (SLM)

tool. Through an increase in the numbers of SLM-CA FFS, the project will

expand the adoption of profitable CA practices by smallholder farmers in the

two East African countries.

• Up-Scaling Conservation Agriculture for Improved Food Security Using the

CAADP Framework (OSRO/RAF/812/NOR - LTU: SFS / 2008-2010).

FAOSFS developed a proposal for this project to be implemented in Lesotho,

Mozambique, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. In each country, the project will

closely collaborate with the Ministries of Agriculture while organizations such

as NGOs, FBOs, relevant Government Departments, academic and research

institutions will be contracted to implement the project.

• Expansion of Farmer Field Schools Programme in Eastern and Southern Africa (GCP /RAF/399/IFA - LTU: AGP / 2005-2008). The purposes of this

regional programme - implemented in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania and

Uganda – are to promote the institutionalization and scaling up of the FFS, to

broaden its scope and build the skills and methodologies necessary to enable

the institutionalization of FFSs to respond to farmer demand relative to issues

such as marketing, financial services and HIV/AIDS and to promote and

support the emergent movement of FFS networks and strengthen their capacity

to undertake key activities on behalf of their members. FAOSFS participated in

this project and contributed to expand the FFS programme in Mozambique and

Tanzania.

22

National

Burkina Faso :

• Projet d`Intensification Agricole par la Maîtrise de l`Eau dans les Régions du Centre-Sud et du Centre-Ouest (GCP /BKF/049/SPA - LTU : TCOS /

2007-2009). The global objective of this project is to reinforce food security in

regions with high climatic risks and to reduce poverty through the

development of irrigated agriculture. The project will support groups of

women with no or little access to land and 28 community diversification

projects.

Burundi:

• Rétablissement des Mécanismes Traditionnels de Production et d`Échange de Semences et de Matériel Végétal Sains à travers le Renforcement des Structures Associatives (OSRO/BDI/708/BEL - LTU: AGPS / 2007-2008).

The project is developed in framework of the global programme to re-build

sustainable and integrated agricultural production in a post-conflict situation.

Its main aim is to ensure a rapid re-integration of affected people with the

support of community associations already operational in the country.

Cameroon:

• Appui aux Organisations Paysannes pour la Multiplication et la Diffusion de Variétés Précoces de Maïs, de Sorgho et de Mil dans les Provinces du Nord et de l’Extrême Nord (TCP/CMR/3102 - LTU : AGPS / 2006-2008). The

objective of this project is to contribute to the reduction of food insecurity in

the Northest region of the country by setting up a sustainable community seed

production system with the active involvement of rural women and youth.

Through this project, farmers’ organizations are being strengthened and

trained to be able to produce quality certified seeds, for which they are

provided with inputs (foundation seeds, fertilizers, tools, etc.) in a first stage.

The innovative aspect of this project is that inputs are not given to the farmers

for free, but they have to reimburse the cost after the first harvest. The

quantities are reimbursed to themselves, to an account open by them in a local

micro-finance institution with the support of FAO, who also helps them in

drafting and registering the associations' constitution and by laws. With those

funds, farmers will be able to buy inputs for the next season. These revolving

funds provide the associations the sustainability they would otherwise loose

in the framework of a normal technical cooperation project, as it provides them

access to credit. They are also linked to research institutions and to the

extension system in the country, from which they get advice and help in

identifying demand, markets for their products, information, etc. In the same

country, a similar project was implemented in the northern province on

irrigated rice: Appui à la Multiplication et à la Diffusion de Semences Améliorées et Saimes de Riz (TCP/CMR/3002 – LTU: AGPS / 2005-2006).

Some of the seed producer organizations set up have merged and have been

able to develop their own marketing strategy, including selling their products

to customers from neighbouring countries. Providing support to farmers’

23

organizations can be successful provided that they have national policy support

including access to credit and linkages to extension and research.

Ethiopia:

• Crop Diversification and Marketing Development Project (GTFS/ETH/067/ITA - LTU: TCIS / 2005-2009). The objective of the project is

the promotion of economic growth in rural areas through strengthening

commercialisation of small farms in areas with recognized market potential.

The project aims at tapping new market opportunities by providing technology

that has a potential to increase production and productivity as well as quality

standards so as to increase income, minimize price volatility and promote

sustainable use of natural resources. Strengthen community capacity to

participate in planning, management and development of local physical and

natural resources to achieve sustainable food security, reduce poverty and

improve human nutrition is one of the key objectives of the project. As part of

the capacity building activities, farmers’ groups will be trained to be able to

organize meetings themselves to discuss common problems and reach

consensus for collective action, without outsider facilitation. Empowerment of

village women will be promoted by increasing their participation in

agricultural production and income generation and by enabling them to

improve family nutrition and health.

• Small Scale Vegetable Production Along with Trees in Kabul Farmers’ Association (TFD-07/ETH/003 - LTU: AGP / 2008-2009). This Telefood

project is aimed at enabling farmers start vegetable production and income

generating activities. Sixty members of the Kabul Peasant Farmers Association

at Geto Kebele (Quante Woreda), in the Southern region have been organized

and trained to grow highland vegetable crops together with agro forestry trees

for income generation, improve their nutritional status and rehabilitation of the

area through proper cultivation and tree planting practices. One of the main

objectives of the project is to strengthen the association and ensure the

sustainability of the production through training and capacity building.

Gabon:

• Project Proposal and Assessment of Producer Organizations’ Capacity Building Needs. FAOSFC conducted the assessment and the preparation of

this proposal as a contribution to the implementation of the agricultural and

rural development policy of Gabon. The project is expected to be implemented

in 2009.

Ghana:

• Integrated Community Land Management and Soil Fertility Improvement in the Upper West Region of Ghana (TCP/GHA/3101 - LTU: NRL / 2007-

2009). The objective of this project is to assist small-scale farmers in the Upper

West Region, through the FFS to use integrated soil fertility management

techniques to increase yields of sorghum, millet, maize and cotton for

enhanced food security and poverty reduction. One of its specific objectives is

24

to improve farmers’ access to inputs (fertilizers) markets, and identify ways to

institutionalize this improved access, through strengthening of farmers’

organizations.

Guinea-Bissau :

• Diversification, Intensification et Valorisation des Produits Agricoles Locaux (DIVA) dans les Régions de Oio et de Bafata (GTFS/GBS/028/ITA,

see together with Inter-Country coordination of national projects on Food

Security through commercialization (GTFS/RAF/426/ITA)) - (LTU : TCOS /

2008-2011). This projects aims at strengthening the capacities of producers,

women and their organizations to be able to diversify and intensify their

produce, as well as in storage, conservation, processing and

commercializations of their produce.

Ivory Coast:

• Appui à la Redynamisation du Secteur Semencier National (TCP/IVC/3102

- LTU : AGPS / 2007-2009). The overall objective of the project is to promote

food security by supporting the national seed sector. One of the specific

objectives of the project is to strengthen the capacities of producers (who

compose more than 50% of rice seed producers in the country). The project

provides capacity building for the organization of regional seed producer

associations that are trained in the development of marketing rules that will be

the base to reinforce the seed legislation in the country. Once these

organizations have acquired the necessary skills and adequate marketing

systems are in place, the seed producers should be able to operate without

technical assistance.

Liberia:

• Food Security through Commercialization of Agriculture (FSCA) (GTFS/LIR/010/ITA, see together with Inter-Country coordination of national

projects on Food Security through commercialization (GTFS/RAF/426/ITA -

LTU: TCOS / 2008-2011). The objective of this project is that agricultural

productivity, marketed output and incomes of project beneficiary FBOs in

Liberia are increased on a sustainable basis, resulting in improved livelihoods

and food security of FBO members.

Mali :

• Projet d'Appui aux Organisations Paysannes du Plateau Dogon pour une Meilleure Valorisation de leurs Productions Maraîchères (GTFS/MLI/030/ITA, see together with Inter-Country coordination of national


LTU : TCOS / 2008-2011). The overall objective of this project is to reinforce

the competitiveness and modernization of agriculture in the area concerned in

Mali. The project has a component by which the technical and operational

capacities of producer organizations in the area concerned will be strengthened.

25

Mauritania:

• Economie de l’Eau dans les Oasis de l’Adrar et du Tagent (TCP/MAU/3101

- LTU : NRLW / 2006-2008). FAOSNE is providing technical support to this

project, whose aim is to assist groups of oasis’ farmers in Mauritania and the

Ministry of Rural Development to carry out analysis of the oasis irrigation

systems and to make use and develop effective ways of using water resources

in this particular context.

Malawi:

• Capacity Building in Farm Planning and Management for Extension Workers and Farmers (Malawi) (TCP/MLW/3102 - LTU: AGSF / 2007-

2009). The overall objective of the project is to contribute to improved market

access and increased farm income of small-scale farmers. One of the specific

objectives of the project is to strengthen the capacity of selected lead farmers

in pilot district sites to develop skills and competencies for market driven

farming activities.

Mozambique:

• Building Commodity Value Chains and Market Linkages for Farmers’ Associations (UNJP/MOZ/093/UNJ - LTU: AGST / 2008-2010). The overall

objective of the programme is to increase the income of smallholders in rural

areas and enhance their livelihoods, in line with the Government objectives for

rural and economic development. One of the main expected results of the

project is improved storage facilities at producer level, managed directly by

producers or through farmers' associations.

Niger :

• Assistance Technique pour la Formulation d'un Nouveau Dispositif d'Appui Conseil (TCP/NER/3101 – LTU : FRNER / 2006-2008). The Government of

Niger requested FAO assistance in the framework of the Strategy for Rural

Development. The first phase of the project focused on the analysis and

assessment of the different stakeholders (including farmers organizations), and

the results were presented to stakeholders in a series of workshops. In the

second phase that will start in 2009, a proposal for the setting up of a new

extension system, with new roles for farmers and their organizations, will be

developed, under the overall principle of shifting towards more demand-driven

extension services. Therefore, through this project, assistance will be given to

farmers organizations in order for them to be able to define their priorities for

extension services and to be involved in the planning process, including being

represented in the decision-making bodies of the extension systems. Market

orientation of services will also be part of the reorientation of services, in which

the importance of farmers’ organizations as key partners will be highlighted. It

is important to point out that throughout the whole project the strengthening of

farmers’organizations role has been one of the top priorities of FAO, that

expects to replicate the same approach in future projects in different countries.

26

• Intensification de l’Agriculture par le Renforcement des Boutiques d’Intrants Coopératives (IARBIC) -INTRANTS II (GCP /NER/047/MUL -

LTU : NRRR / 2008-2011). The overall objective of the IARBIC project is to

contribute to the improvement of food security of the rural population, to

contribute to the reduction of poverty in rural areas and to contribute to the

reduction of the deficit in the market balance in Niger. The specific objective is

to improve the productivity of mille and sorghum in the country. The main

instrument of the project will be to sensitize producer organizations about

the importance and relevance of fertilizer control groups and to consolidate /

promote the mechanism of cooperative inputs shops. The IARBIC project will

set up a best practice information network, linked to global knowledge

management.

• Promotion de la Coopération Décentralisée entre Niger et l`Italie dans le

Domaine de l`Élevage et des Industries Animales (GCP /NER/044/ITA

LTU : AGAP / 2005-2010). This project is contributing to strengthen the

capacities of national and local actors, producers, women groups and NGOs

by providing training in different livestock production-related activities. The

final aim is that these actors are able to increase their incomes by putting in

place micro-projects.

• Promotion de l’Utilisation d’Intrants Agricoles par les Groupements de

Producteurs (Niger) (GCP/NER/041/BEL-Phase III - LTU : SDAR-TCI /

2001-2008). The objective of the second phase is to improve food security

with increased agricultural production through sustainable strengthening of

input distribution systems with producer organizations.

Sudan:

• Contribution to the Improvement of the Livelihoods of 17,000 Vulnerable Households, including Host and Resident Communities, Small-scale Farmers and Local Producer Associations (OSRO/SUD/723/ITA - LTU :

AGPS / 2007-2009). The assistance provided through this emergency project

aims specifically at supporting the resumption of the agricultural production,

the promotion of appropriate technologies, and enhanced food security sector

coordination thus contributing to peace-building in Southern Sudan. For all

these objectives, the organization of local producer groups into agro-

enterprise groups/associations is a key aspect.

• Enhancing Livelihood Diversification and Enterprise Development among Conflict Affected Populations in Darfur (OSRO/SUD/814/ITA - LTU: AGPC

/ 2008-2009). This emergency project, whose overall objective is to enhance

adaptive livelihood and coping mechanisms of conflict affected populations,

will build the capacities of local communities in Sudan, including transfer of

new skills and enhancement of pre-existing skills in various aspects of the

project activities especially related to vegetable production, post harvest

handling and food processing.

27

• Support to Community-based Seed Production and Supply System Development in Southern Sudan (OSRO/SUD/817/FRA- LTU: AGPS / 2008-

2010). The overall objective of this emergency project is to increase domestic

food production, thus improve food security and livelihoods, by increasing

availability of locally produced quality seeds and planting materials of staple

food crops in five states of Southern Sudan. Individual farmers, groups of

farmers and seed grower associations selected will also benefit directly from

new technology dissemination and cash income as good quality seeds will

attract higher premium. These seed growers are envisaged in future to operate

commercially and access micro-finance institutions.

Senegal:

• Projet d`Appui aux Organisations de Producteurs pour la Valorisation des Filières Porteuses (Kaolack Fatick, et Louga) (GTFS/SEN/060/ITA, see

together with Inter-Country coordination of national projects on Food Security

through commercialization (GTFS/RAF/426/ITA - LTU : TCOS / 2008-2011).

The general objective of this project is to contribute to the reduction of poverty

in three rural communities located in the Kaolack, Fatick and Louga regions in

Senegal. Two of the specific objectives are to strengthen the capacities of

producer organizations, women and other non state-owned support structures

in value chain management and to increase the participation of producer

organizations in the project coordination.

Sierra Leone:

• Food Security through Commercialization of Agriculture (FSCA) (GTFS/SIL/028/ITA, see together with Inter-Country coordination of national


LTU: TCOS / 2008-2011). The objective of this project is that agricultural

productivity, marketed output and incomes of project beneficiary (FBOs in

Sierra Leone) is increased on a sustainable basis, resulting in improved

livelihoods and food security of FBO members.

• Organizational Development Support for Farmers in Sierra Leone (TCP/SIL/3105 - LTU: ESWD / 2008-2010/11). In partnership with Agriterra

9,

ROPPA and the Ministry of Agriculture the project is providing technical

assistance to support a national roadmap process to establish a National

Federation of Farmer Organizations in Sierra Leone.

Zambia:

• Capacity Building on Farm Planning and Management for Extension Workers (Zambia) (TCP/ZAM/3101 - LTU: AGSF / 2006-2008). The overall

objective of the project is to contribute to improved market access and

increased farm income of small-scale farmers. The project has worked to

strengthen extension services by enhancing their capacity in farm planning and

9 Agriterra is an agri-agency (organization for international cooperation)

28

management and encouraging agricultural diversification aimed at benefiting

market oriented small-scale farmers.

• Support to Integrated Production and Processing of Cassava for Increased Food Security and Income Generation ((TCP/ZAM/3103 (D) - LTU: AGPC /

2007-2009). FAOSFS is providing support for the establishment of FFS in

Zambia for this project, whose aim is to improve knowledge and skills for

improved cassava production, and processing and providing support for

linkage to reliable markets. The project will work through existing national

structures and organizations in the country, including farmers’ organizations

and relevant agri-business.

Zimbabwe:

• Conservation Agriculture (CA)/Farmers Unions Project: Enhancing and Stabilizing Agricultural Productivity for Communal Farmers through Advanced Land Use and Management Practices (OSRO/ZIM/806/EC - LTU:

AGPC / 2008-2011). The main objective of this EC-funded project is to reduce

poverty and improve communal farmers' livelihoods in Zimbabwe. Its specific

objective is to improve food and livelihood security through increases in

agricultural productivity. Learning from the past experience in the country, this

project is focusing strongly on extension and private sector participation and

involvement, and the Farmers’ Unions will be strengthened through capacity

building included in the project to supervise and expand agreements between

farmers and private sector after the project period.


Regional

• Establishment, Empowerment and Technical Capacity Building of Farmer Water Users’ Organizations. FAORAP provided technical support

to this project in member countries that included Afghanistan, Cambodia,

Pakistan and Sri Lanka through implementation of regular programme and

field projects that will be continued in 2009.

• Improving Food Safety and its Management in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam (GCP /RAS/207/NZE - LTU: AGNS / 2005-2008). The objective of

this project is to reduce food safety risks for domestic consumers in Cambodia,

Lao PDR and Viet Nam and promote economic development through

increased food and agricultural exports that meet international sanitary and

phytosanitary requirements, by providing support to develop a modern and

science-based food control system. Water bottlers associations are key partners

of this project that has provided training to water bottlers groups in food safety

issues.

• Support to the Regional Programme for Food Security in the Pacific Island Countries (GTFS/RAS/198/ITA - LTU: RAPP / 2004-2008). FAOSAP has

provided support to this programme, that has implemented 26 projects for 14

29

countries with activities geared to enhance production, income generation and

food security within the Pacific member countries, not only with farmer

groups but individual small farm households, with the remaining resources

allocated for regional activities towards building capacity on trade facilitation

and agriculture policies development.

National

Bangladesh:

• Comprehensive Disaster Management Programme (CDMP): FAO Component: Sustainable Livelihood Adaptation (BGD/01/004/ /01/99 -

LTU: NRC / 2005-2009). The major objective of the CDMP programme is to

strengthen the capacity of the Bangladesh disaster management programming

emphasis from relief to risk reduction. Some of the immediate objectives of

this component are to introduce, improve and further strengthen institutional

and technical capacities for improved adaptation to climate variability, as well

as to change and implement in a participatory way and jointly with local

communities good practices and strategies to effectively address

climate change adaptation and disaster preparedness and develop strategies

for their long term sustainability. The project has so far produced some

publications, like the brief Livelihood Adaptation to Climate Change (http://www.fao.org/climatechange/media/15481/0/0/), and two training

materials in 2007: Climate Variability and Change: Adaptation to drought in

Bangladesh. A resource book and training guide

(http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/a1247e/a1247e00.htm) and Climate and flood

forecast applications in agriculture. An interactive, web-based e-learning tool

(http://www.webgeo.de/module/applied/FAO/probabilisticforecasts-bgd-

fao.html.). The first phase of the project ran from 2005-2007, and the second

phase will finish in 2009. The preparation of a third phase after 2009 is

currently under way as integral part of the preparation of a second phase of

CDMP (for further information on the programme:

http://www.fao.org/climatechange/laccproject/en/).

Cook Islands:

• Enhancing the Capacity of Young Farmers in Farm Management, Marketing and Agribusiness (Cook Islands) (TCP/CKI/3102 – LTU: AGSF /

2008-2009). FAOSAP provides support to this project, whose development

objective is the achievement of improved rural household livelihoods (i.e.

employment, incomes and food availability) and overall national food security

through enhanced farming, marketing and agribusiness activities of young

farmer groups in the Cook Islands.

Indonesia:

• Livelihood Support to Rural Communities Affected by Earthquake in Yogyakarta and Central Java Provinces through Agriculture-based Home Industry (Indonesia). (OSRO/INS/704/AUL - LTU: AGSF / 2007-2008).

This Australia-funded emergency project has the overall objective to restore

30

the livelihoods of small producers and traders through the rehabilitation of

agriculture-based home industry and to improve income generation

opportunities. The poor local producers (including women, youth, disabled

and landless) and traders are the target beneficiaries of the project. The target

villages had previously been supported by FAO’s emergency projects in

response to the earthquake in May 2006 which affected farming families.

Strengthening the local producer and marketing groups is a central

mechanism of the project.

Korea, PDR:

• Assistance to Improve the Fruit Production Sector (TCP/DRK/3106 - LTU:

AGPC / 2007-2009). The objective of the project is to contribute to the

national agriculture development through establishing the basis for the

improvement and modernization of the fruit production sector aimed at

increasing food security, employment opportunities and income generation in

the country. One of the project’s specific objectives is to encourage fruit

orchard cooperatives in the country to work in active partnership towards

improving the supply of quality fruit. These cooperatives will then also have

the opportunity to improve their knowledge and skills in orchard

establishment, tree training and pruning, localized irrigation, drainage and soil

conservation practices.

• Strengthening the Technical Capacity for Introduction and Production of High-yielding Soybean Varieties for Edible Oil and Protein Production in Cooperative Farms (TCP/DRK/3103 - LTU: AGPC / 2007-2009). The

project’s overall objective is to strengthen the technical capacity of the

country to produce high-yielding soybean varieties for edible and oil

production through capacity building. One of the specific objectives of the

project is to build the capacities of cooperative farmers on evaluation

techniques, crop management and seed production practices. The Ministry of

Agriculture, through cooperatives specialized on seed multiplication, will

continue the task of multiplication and distribution of the improved varieties

to achieve the overall project goals of improved food security after the end of

the project.

• Support to Agricultural and Horticultural Production and to the

Coordination of Emergency/Rehabilitation Interventions in Agriculture/Food Security in 2006-2008 (OSRO/DRK/603/SWE- LTU:

AGPC / 2006-2008). The general objective of this emergency project is to

increase agricultural and horticultural productivity and a sustainable

improvement in food security in the country. The project provided for the

needs of approximately 200 targeted cooperative farms (about 100 000

households), benefiting some 150 000 women and 180 000 children. This

project has once more demonstrated, as in previous FAO experiences in

Kazakhstan, Cuba and the Democratic People’s republic of Korea10

, that in

10

TCP/KAZ/2801, TCP/KAZ/2901, TCP/CUB/3002, TCP/CUB/3104, TCP/DRK/2903, TCP/DRK/3004, OSRO/DRK/501/SWE

and OSRO/DRK/603/SWE

31

countries where farmers' organizations exist, they are very often an essential

partner for the success of the project.

Lao, PDR:

• Building Capacity at the Grass-roots Level to Control Avian Influenza (GCP

/LAO/014/GER- LTU: AGAH / 2006-2009). The project, one of whose

immediate objectives is to build capacity to carry out and enforce Highly

Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) containment and control in the country,

follows the strategy of creating village surveillance networks that contribute to

effective HPAI control in the country’s 18 provinces. The strategy will also

teach village-level farmers’ lay groups simple HPAI recognition skills in

poultry and other avian species (ducks, quail, geese, wild birds), and create

village networks that can be tapped for grassroots disease information.

Nepal:

• Training for the Small-scale Dairy Sector in Support of the Community Livestock Development Project (TCP/NEP/3103 - LTU: AGAP / 2007-2009).

The objective of this project is to deliver short-term, tailor made training

courses for persons and organizations involved in milk production, collection,

processing and marketing in the small-scale sector to improve efficiency and

quality throughout the farm to consumer milk chain in the country. Outreach

training is being provided for smallholders in group formation and clean milk

production. The project involves milk producers’ organization’s training,

and the key training subjects are expected to include: (i) hygienic milk handling

and collection; (ii) milk testing and quality control; (iii) ready-to-drink milks and

other modern and traditional dairy products; (iv) dairy equipment maintenance;

(v) marketing of milk and dairy products and dairy enterprise management;

(vi) organization of milk producer groups.

i. 3. Europe

Regional

• Development Assistance to Farmers in Remote Areas of Montenegro and Kosovo (GCP /RER/019/LUX - LTU: AGAP / 2006-2009). The aim of the

project – implemented in Kosovo and Montenegro - is to improve the

livelihood of the poorer and more isolated rural communities in the project

area. Strengthening farmer organizations is a key project strategy in order to

attain this objective.

• Strengthening Seed Supply in the ECO Region, with Specific Emphasis on Central Asia (TCP/INT/3102 – LTU: AGPS / 2006-2009). The overall

objective of the assistance is more efficient seed production, distribution and

marketing systems developed in ECO11

member countries and in other

countries of the Central Asian region. Thanks to this project, a milestone for

11

Economic Cooperation Organization involves Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Islamic Republic of Iran, Kazakhstan,

Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

32

mitigating the soaring food prices in the 10 countries concerned has been

reached with the formation of a regional seed association that will facilitate

members’ access to good quality seed. This created association will serve as a

regular forum for both the public and private seed sectors thereby facilitating

seed security, enhancing production of seed required for food security,

catalizing technology transfer and contributing to fair and equitable regulation

of seed trade.

National

Albania:

• Agriculture Production Support in Albania (GCP /ALB/005/ITA - LTU:

AGSF / 2002-2008). The main objective of the project is to assist farmers in

the development of complete food chains, from the initial production stage

through processing and distribution to the market, in the context of a market

driven economy. This project has an important farmers’ association support

component.

Kosovo:

• Pilot Project on Resettlement of Minorities and Confidence Building between Minorities and Albanian Communities in Kosovo (GCP

/KOS/003/NOR - LTU: AGSF / 2004-2008). The project aims was to promote

economic cooperation between communities in order to improve marketing,

value adding activities (i.e. processing) and provision of services, thereby

helping to increase incomes of all the communities and build confidence of

different ethnic groups. To achieve this objective, the project supported group

activities upstream and downstream of the production sector, as well as

partnerships for economic activities involving minority and majority

individuals and groups.

i.4. Latin America and the Caribbean

Regional

• Agreement of Understanding for Transboundary Animal Diseases Prevention. FAORLC signed an Agreement of Understanding (AU) with ALA

(Latin-American Poultry Association) to promote a productive alliance among

both institutions in order to implement joint actions to boost the resources and

efforts for transboundary animal diseases prevention and control and improve

food security between member countries.

• Fortalecimiento de Organizaciones Indígenas y Apoyo al Rescate de Productos Tradicionales en Zonas Altoandinas de Bolivia, Ecuador y Perú (GCP /RLA/163/NZE - LTU: RLCP / 2007-2011). The main objective of this

project is to contribute to enhancing food security of the families belonging to

indigenous communities, through the institutional strengthening of

Indigenous Peoples’ organizations.

33

• Promoting CARIFORUM/CARICOM Food Security (GTFS/RLA/141/ITA -

LTU: ESAF / 2003-2010). The general objective of this project is to improve

the food security situation of the CARIFORUM states12

both individually and

as a whole, by increasing the availability and access to adequate quantities of

safe, quality assured food products to food insecure and poor rural

communities across the region. This will be accomplished by increasing the

overall value and quality of food products produced, traded and consumed

through strengthening the support service and policy environments to promote

efficient and sustainable food systems, including strengthening producers’

organizations in the region. In 2009, different activities involving

producer/farmer organizations in the region are foreseen, such as a capacity

assessment of regional and national agribusiness associations and a regional

workshop to be held in April/May 2009 to review the outcome of the study on

agribusiness associations’ capacity, as well as a market opportunity study for

selected commodities. This workshop is also expected to help decide on

priority commodities for the project and national and regional focus, as well as

counterpart association to the project.

• Formulation of a Sub-regional Programme for the Production and Commercialization of Improved Seed Varieties. FAO (AGPS) worked in the

formulation of this sub-regional programme, inspired in the previous

Asistencia Técnica de la FAO para el Programa de Seguridad Alimentaria de

la Comisión Europea en Honduras para la Producción y Comercialización de

Semillas Artesanales Mejoradas y Diversificadas en Honduras (GCP

/HON/029/EC - LTU: AGPS / 2004-2006)). The programme will be

implemented in Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru, where national projects will be

developed with the focus of increasing the access by small farmers to seed

markets. The overall objective will be to improve the accessibility and access

by farmers of highland areas (altiplano) to good quality seeds of varieties

adapted to their local conditions and produced by local seed enterprises

established to this effect. The involvement of farmers’ organizations will be

essential in these projects (as it was in the case of Honduras), that will help

raising farmers' awareness of the benefits of using quality seed. The projects

also foresee the provision of technical support for the revision of the seed

regulations in the three countries, and the participation of local farmers

associations will be strongly encouraged.

National

Argentina:

• Buenas Prácticas Agrícolas y Organización Comunitaria para la Generación de Ingresos y Acceso a Mercados de la Agricultura Familiar (TCP/ARG/3104 - LTU: AGPC / 2008-2009). The overall objective of this

project is to contribute to food security of smallholder farming in Argentina,

through the promotion and implementation of GAP. The project foresees the

community development actions with farmers’ associations and other local

12

Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts &

Nevis, Saint Lucia, St Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago

34

institutions. The participation of farmers’ organizations and associations in

the activities will be a strategic element of the project.

• Fortalecimiento Institucional y de las Capacidades Técnicas y Económicas del Movimiento Cooperativo en Mendoza (Argentina) (TCP/ARG/3102 (A) -

LTU: SDAR – NRCB / 2006-2008). The overall aim of this project was to

strengthen small farmer participation in decision-making processes of 31

cooperatives in which they belong, all them regrouped into FeCoVitA

(Federation of Wine Cooperatives). The project was specifically oriented to

strengthen FeCoVitA’s political, financial and administrative capacities, and

involved all the relevant stakeholders – cooperatives, producers and their

representative institutions. A publication gathering the findings of the project

has been produced and its publication is foreseen in 2009.

Belize:

• Reorganization and Strengthening of the Cooperatives Department and Improvement of Agricultural Statistics (Belize) (TCP/BZE/3101 - LTU:

FLBZE / 2006-2008). The project aims to promote the agricultural cooperative

movement in Belize, inter alia by facilitating the creation of a unit on

cooperatives within the Ministry of Agriculture. One of the expected project

outputs is a comprehensive assessment of the national extension system,

including public services, NGOs, private enterprises and producers

organizations.

Peru:

• Bioenergy and Food Security Project (Peru) (GCP /INT/020/GER - LTU:

NRCB / 2006-209). The aim of this project is to enhance food security though

mainstreaming sustainable bioenergy systems into rural development and

minimize the risk of detrimental impacts of bioenergy on food security. One of

the project’s activities aims at promoting the creation of cooperative groups

among sugarcane producers in Peru, whose product will be used for bioethanol

production.

• Proyecto de Desarrollo Rural y Seguridad Alimentaria en la Micro Cuenca del Río Pachangaza, Provincia de Oyón, Departamento de Lima (Peru) (MTF/PER/041/ADS - LTU: NRCB / 2007-2008). This project, financed by a

Peruvian mine, supports the establishment and strengthening of rapeseed

producers cooperatives to enable producers to consolidate the minimum

hectares needed to construct a rapeseed processing plant for bio-ethanol

production.

Saint Kitts & Nevis:

• Emergency Support for Agricultural Enterprise Development for Workers Displaced through the Closure of the Sugar Industry (TCP/STK/3101 - LTU:

AGLL / 2006-2008). The objective of the project is to assist the Government in

its post-sugar industry rehabilitation programme through technical support and

the supply of the necessary inputs for the establishment of 100 crop and 46

35

livestock production enterprises for the most affected displaced workers and

the improvement of one abattoir, with a view to improving the food security

situation for their families and the rural communities in which they live. The

project included training for the development of farmer groups among

displaced workers of the abolished industry and, secondarily strengthen

existing farmer groups, associations and cooperatives in the country.

i.5 Near East

Regional

• Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programme in the Middle Eastern Countries (TF Component: Food Security) (GTFS/REM/070/ITA -

LTU: AGPP / 2004-2009). The project aims at strengthening the capability of

Government agencies, NGOs and farming communities of the six countries

concerned - Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Jordan, Egypt and Gaza Strip and West Bank

- to plan, organize and implement programs at local level, which will support

community-based IPM. With the support of the Italian government, FAO is

implementing this programme in close collaboration with farmers

associations in the region through the FFS approach. The project also aims at

building partnerships among communities (their members and organizations),

relevant NGOs, Government units/departments, research and university

institutions and, other (FAO) projects. These partnerships will merge in a

forum for discussion at national and regional level research and university

institutions and, other (FAO) projects.

National

Afghanistan:

• Development of Integrated Dairy Schemes in Afghanistan (GCP

/AFG/040/GER - LTU: AGAP / 2005-2009). The overall goal of this livestock

development project is to improve food security in the country by raising the

productive capacity of the national dairy sector through the development of

integrated model dairy schemes. The project has worked very closely with

government in supporting the farmers to organise themselves into milk

producers’ cooperative societies at grassroots level, then into cooperative

dairy unions at a second-tier making them owners of the milk collection,

processing and marketing business. The training and capacity building of three

cooperative dairy unions is ongoing to make them capable of running the

business and sustain when the project phases out. The project has

complemented and extended the scope of two former German Trust Fund

Projects for livestock development in Afghanistan (GCP /AFG/021/GER13

,

and GCP /AFG/032/GER14

. So far, the project has significantly contributed to

improve the income of farmers, especially of women and has provided for

additional income generating opportunities.

13

Development of Livestock Production Activities in Selected Districts of Afghanistan (LTU: AGAP / 2002-

2004) 14

Training of Rural Families and Technical Staff to Extend Proven Animal Health and Livestock Production Packages (LTU: AGAP / 2004-2005)

36

• Development of Sustainable Agricultural Livelihoods in the Eastern Hazarajat (GCP /AFG/029/UK - LTU: AGSF / 2003-2008). The project aims

at improving the livelihoods and well-being of the people of the Eastern

Hazarajat on a sustainable basis. FBOs are the key institutions at the

community level in this project, which focuses in identifying the processes

involved in community development, particularly those that assist

communities analyse their problems, their strengths and weaknesses, and plays

a facilitating role in finding solutions.

• Rehabilitation of the Sugar Industry in Baghlan: Technical and Managerial

Support for Small Family Farmer Participation in the Sugar Beet Supply Chain (GCP /AFG/038/GER – LTU: AGSF / 2005-2008). The objective of

this project was to contribute to the development of Afghanistan’s domestic

sugar industry and enhancement of family farmers’ income through

agricultural diversification. The project had four components, the first of which

encompassed a number of activities geared to the definition of the

organizational framework for family farmer integration into the Baghlan Sugar

Factory supply chain, including strengthening farmer’s organization. The

cornerstone of the framework will be the definition of a model contract to

regulate the technical and commercial relationship between farmers and the

factory.

• Small Farmer Livelihoods and Income Enhancement in Baghlan Province

(GCP /AFG/053/GER - LTU: AGSF / 2008-2011). The overall objective of the

project is to increase income levels for small farmers in the Baghlan province

through improved farmers organization, productivity gains, value addition

and market access. It builds on lessons learned in the region during the

implementation of GCP /AFG/038/GER (please see above), plus the

experiences gained by FAO in the implementation of livelihoods

diversification and enterprise development projects in Afghanistan. The project

focuses on the strengthening of farm based organizations and on the

promotion of value chain integration, as a means to enhance production and

marketing skills, promote enterprise diversification, develop opportunities for

value addition and boost farm family incomes. The main beneficiaries are the 2

000 plus small farmer families originally targeted by GCP /AFG/038/GER.

• Supporting Afghan Farmers`s Seed Enterprise to Minimise the Effects of

Soaring Grain Prices on the Supply and Utlization of Certified Seed (OSRO/AFG/807/UK and OSRO/AFG/806/USA - LTU: AGPS / 2008-2009).

The main purpose of these emergency projects is to minimize the adverse

effects of rising food prices on crop production in Afghanistan by providing

seed enterprises with financial support to produce certified seed and to make

this available to Afghan farmers at affordable prices in 2008. With this project,

FAO has the opportunity to not only stabile but further improve the seed

industry in the country by: (1) supporting seed enterprises with monetary loans

to procure raw certified seed from local growers; and (2) establishing an

Afghanistan National Seed Association, for which the loans will be repaid to

establish new seed enterprises in the country. These two projects carried out in

the framework of the Initiative on Soaring Food Prices (ISFP) intend to go

37

beyond the emergency aspect and build farmers capacity in a sustainable way. These projects are being used by FAO as examples of how to build a loan

agreement (a legal agreement) that will constitute the template that the

Organization will use to replicate in other projects in the future.

• Support to Household Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods in Afghanistan (GCP /AFG/050/GER - LTU: AGNP / 2008-2010). The project

aims to build on the achievements of a previous project (Supporting the

Improvement of Household Food Security, Nutrition and Livelihoods in

Afghanistan (GCP/AFG/039/GER - LTU: AGNP / 2005-2007) by continuing

to integrate nutrition, food security and livelihoods objectives and activities in

relevant government policies and programs, notably in agriculture and rural

development. The project will particularly focus on strengthening women’s

technical skills which can help them improve household food availability and

income (e.g. food processing). It will work in partnership with organizations

addressing other constraints and which assist women in organizing themselves

to better access credit and markets (e.g. self-help groups, small business

development, etc.). Under this project, manuals on Vegetable and Fruit

Processing, Improved Feeding Practice Guide, Improved Recipes have

been published in 2008. Moreover, a Horticulture Guide is expected to be

published in 2009.

• Variety and Seed Industry Development Project - Phase II of GCP /AFG/018/EC (GCP /AFG/045/EC - LTU: AGPS / 2007-2011). This project is

being developed in line with the reconstruction plan for Afghanistan, where

seed industry development is a key factor. It has been designed to support a

private sector seed and planting materials industry that produces and

markets seeds and planting materials in Afghanistan to meet the needs of

farmers for enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security. The

specific objective of this project is to bring farmers together to build national

farmer associations, and it builds upon the achievements and lessons of a

previous EC-funded and FAO-implemented project Strengthening National

Seed Production Capacity in Afghanistan ((GCP /AFG/018/EC - LTU: AGPS /

2003-2006)).

Egypt:

• Intensification and Diversification of Agricultural System, in Support to SPFS in the New Valley Governorates (TCP/EGY/3101 – LTU: AGPC /

2006-2008). This project aims at helping small farm producers to improve their

food security through intensification and diversification activities under

irrigation. A continuous participatory analysis of constraints to agricultural

development in the project area is also undertaken with the farmers and their

associations, notably through FFS and field days.

Gaza and the West Bank:

• Agriculture Revitalization Action Project (OSRO/GAZ/706/JPN - LTU:

AGPC / 2007-2009). The project aims to contribute to improving rural

livelihoods in the WBGS through restoring agriculture activities and farmers'

38

employment via the implementation of intermediate interventions including

emergency assistance and more sustainable activities. Four components have

been designed under the project consisting of: horticulture, small ruminants,

marketing and capacity building. The Agriculture Revitalization Project –

Phase II (OSRO/GAZ/807/ITA / 2008-2010) is expected to benefit

community associations indirectly, through their involvement in project

implementation and various activities (training).

• Emergency Support and Employment Generation for Female-headed Households through Backyard Farming and Cottage Industry in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (OSRO/GAZ/703/SPA - LTU: ESW / 2008-2009). The

overall project aim is to improve food insecurity status by enhancing and

strengthening women’s participation in income generation interventions, agro-

processing and cottage industries. Three of the project’s immediate objectives

are to build households’ and farmers’ capacities (women, youth and children)

in agro-processing, cottage industries and agriculture gardening practices, and

contribute toward raising the awareness with the aim reducing the unsuitable

youth and child labour, to enhance collaboration and efforts gathering of group

communities through group inputs purchasing and group produce selling and

to encourage collaboration with women's organizations from other countries,

through existing networks working with and for rural women.

• Emergency Support and Employment Generation for Female-headed

households through Backyard Farming and Cottage Industry in West Bank and Gaza Strip (OSRO/GAZ/806/ITA - LTU: ESW / 2008-2009). The project

seeks to support the role of women in the generation of income as well as the

improvement of national food security and the agriculture industry in general.

The project aims to provide support to rural women’s groups and raise

awareness among local communities on the role women play in agriculture and

food security. The selected beneficiaries are vulnerable women and youth in

rural areas, from female-headed households, and belonging to women’s

associations and village level communities.

• Emergency Support to Olive Farmers in Salfit Governorate to Increase their

Income through Olive Oil Quality Improvement (OSRO/GAZ/702/NOR -

LTU: AGPC / 2007-2009). The main goal of this emergency project is to assist

the most vulnerable farming families in the Salfit governorate to sustainably

restore and improve their capabilities for producing high quality olive oil, and

hence improve its potential in internal and external markets, create new

opportunities for more profitable olive farming and higher income for poor

farming families. Some key specific objectives of the interventions are

supporting targeted farming families and farmer grassroots organizations in

selected localities in the Salfit governorate with in-kind, technical and

organizational assistance, in order to enable them to restore and improve their

olive production, of enhancing associated olive oil production through

supporting farmers’ gatherings in the project area and of building the local

capacities of the olive farmers and farmer gatherings to improve their

production patterns and implement agricultural practices.

39

• Emergency Support to Small Ruminant Farmers in the Eastern Slopes of the West Bank and Jordan Valley to Maintain the Productivity of their Flocks (OSRO/GAZ/707/ITA - LTU: AGAP / 2007-2009). This project aims at

adressing the urgent need for fodder from the weakest breeders, reducing costs

for the provision of feed and veterinary inputs through new partnerships and

community organizations, and establishing a collective processing and

distribution system in order to make breeders progressively independent of

assistance.

• Emergency Support to Small Ruminant Farmers in the West Bank and Gaza

Strip to Maintain Productivity of Flocks (OSRO/GAZ/803/CAN - LTU:

AGAP / 2008-2009). The principal objective of the project is to save livestock

breeders’ vital livelihood assets through immediate emergency action and pilot

medium-term activities. The project will prevent the erosion of the productive

capacity and asset base of sheepherding families of South Hebron governorate

(western Front Line and south-eastern slopes) through, between other means,

distribution of improved rams to pilot farmers associations, and the

promotion of adaptive changes in modes of production. A special emphasis

will be given to women through training in the areas of dairy production and

processing, as well as of by-products. Particular effort will be put in the

involvement and support of farmers’ and herders’ associations working in

remote areas.

• Enhancing Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship Skills of Vulnerable Youth

through Junior Farmer Field and Life Schools in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (OSRO/GAZ/802/NOR - LTU: ESW / 2009-2009). The overall objective

of the project is to improve the food security and livelihoods of the Junior

Farmers Field and Life Schools (JFFLS) participants and their households and

provide them with increased opportunities to generate income. Important aims

are to economically empower JFFLS graduates in the delivery sites with

entrepreneurship skills, including through the setting up of youth

associations, and to support women’s groups in delivering in-school feeding

during JFFLS session.

• Horticulture Rehabilitation in the West Bank (OSRO/GAZ/701/JPN - LTU:

AGPC / 2007-2008). This emergency project aimed at addressing the urgent

need to support affected farmers and enable them to rapidly restore their

vegetable and fruit production activities in order to sustain their families and

provide the local market with fresh food products. The project has been able to

expand activities bringing farmers together and strengthening informal

farmers’ groups consisting of both women and men. Final project

recommendations suggest that promoting cooperation among farmers,

empowering farmers’ grassroots organizations and activating the MoA

extension services should be taken into consideration for future agriculture

focused projects in the West Bank.

• Improving the Livelihoods of Farming Households through Diversification of Vegetable and Medicinal Plant Production in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (OSRO/GAZ/704/SPA - LTU: AGPC / 2008-2009). Two of the

immediate objectives of this emergency project are to support targeted farmers

40

and farmer grassroots organizations in selected localities in the WBGS with in-

kind, technical and organizational assistance, in order to enable them to

diversify their horticultural production, and to build up the local capacities of

the Palestinian farmers and farmer associations to improve their production

patterns and implement those agricultural practices as a preparation for future

compliance with commercial GAP standards. The project will be

complemented and followed up by the project Improving the livelihoods of

farming households through crop diversification and introduction of

commercial GAP certification in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

((OSRO/GAZ/708/CHA - LTU: AGSF / 2007-2009), which aims, among other

objectives, to capacitate farmers to introduce commercial GlobalGAP

standards.

• Protection of Farmers’ Livelihoods in the Jordan Valley through Emergency Agricultural Interventions (date palm production) (OSRO/GAZ/810/SPA -

LTU: AGPC / 2008-2009). This project focuses on date palm production, as a

means to diversify livelihoods and procure more income to vulnerable farmers.

One of the objectives of the project is to provide intensive training to MoA

extension officers and farmer beneficiaries through FFS. The project will adopt

the strategy of building the capacity of the district branches and, where

possible, implementation of interventions in close cooperation with CBOs.

• Restoring the Agriculture Productive Capacity in the Gaza Strip through Emergency Support to Farmers and Enhanced Sectoral Coordination (OSRO/GAZ/604/SPA - LTU: AGPC / 2007-2008). The aims of the project

were to restore the productive asset base in the region. One of the expected

outputs was support to farmers’ organizations (such as marketing groups,

farmer associations and cooperatives) as the main tool in strengthening their

input purchasing and produce marketing capability/profitability.

• Support to Household Food Security and Income Generation through Bio-

intensive Backyard Agricultural Production and Cottage Industry Activities for Women (OSRO/GAZ/602/NOR - LTU: AGPC / 2006-2008). The project

seeked to capitalize the role of women in the improvement of the national food

security and of the agriculture industry, and therefore one of its aims was to

empower the already existing women’s associations in order to help them play

a major role in the cooperative production and marketing. The existing

channels created by women associations to market their products have been

used in the framework of the project.

Iran:

• Monitoring, Prevention and Control of Aflatoxin Contamination in Iranian Pistachio Nuts (TCP/IRA/3104 - LTU: AGNS / 2008-2009). The major

expected outcome of this project is a strengthened national programme of

aflatoxin prevention in pistachio nuts based on an improved understanding of

the factors influencing aflatoxin contamination levels at all stages of

production, harvesting, handling, storage and distribution of pistachios. Using

the participatory approach in all project activities involving farmers, processors

and distributors, the project will be implemented with the participation of,

41

between others, producer associations, export associations, chamber of

commerce and cooperatives in the country.

Mauritania:

• Technical Support in the framework of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programme. FAOSNE provided technical support to vegetable women

producers in the South of the country.

Morocco:

• Renforcement des Capacités Institutionnelles pour le Développement des Produits de Qualité de Montagne. Cas du Safran (TCP/MOR/3201 - LTU :

FOMD / 2008-2010). The objective of this project, developed and

implemented in the context of an interregional programme on promotion of

origin-linked quality products (please refer to page 36 of the present report for

further information on the interregional programme) is to build the capacities

of small safran producers, members of cooperatives and producers’

associations, for the development of an application for a quality distinction

mark of their mountain products.

Pakistan:

• Food Security/Poverty Alleviation in Arid Agriculture: Balochistan - Pilot Project Phase (GCP /PAK/095/USA - LTU: RAPG / 2004-2008). The purpose

of the project is to improve the livelihood and food security of the rural people

of Balochistan by strengthening the capacity of the applied research and

technology transfer system to provide sustainable market oriented arid

agriculture, by improving the management of scarce water resources, by

improving of range management and livestock marketing and through

enhancement of crop productivity and agro-processing on a sustainable basis.

Syria:

• Institutional Development of Organic Agriculture in Syria (GCP

/SYR/011/ITA - LTU: AGPC / 2005-2009). The overall development

objectives of the project are to prepare the ground for the establishment of the

legal, institutional and scientific platform where researchers, producers,

processors and traders can fully make use of their potential, increase revenues,

and the economic situation of the country and contribute to environmental

improvement. The project aimed at facilitating the establishment of a platform

for the sustainable development of organic farming in Syria, through the

elaboration of an institutional framework. Activities included informing and

training of technicians, scientists, decision makers and leader farmers in

organic farming.

Saudi Arabia:

• Capacity Building in Integrated Plant Health Management (UTF/SAU/025/SAU - LTU: AGPP / 2007-2012). The overall development

42

objective of this project is to improve conditions of food safety, efficient and

sustainable agricultural production, occupational health and agro-biodiversity

conservation. FAORNE provided assistance through training of pesticide

dealers, traders and users. The training included private sector, farmers

associations and agricultural companies. FAORNE also provided assistance to

Saudi farmers and private sector regarding using biological control in

controlling of date palm pests such as mites and scale insects through the

project.

• Support of the Rural Institutions for the Benefit of Small Scale Farmers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (UTF /SAU/014/SAU - LTU: RNES / 2007-

2012). The main goal of this project is to enhance the living conditions of the

small- small scale farmers through community and producer-based

participatory sustainable rural development in the country. The immediate

objectives include the development and strengthening of producer

organizations, both at national level and in four pilot areas. In this sense, the

project aims at encouraging producer organizations in rural areas to support the

empowerment process of rural communities and small-scale producers, more

broadly, local wealth generation, job creation and sustainable rural

development.

Tunisia:

• Appui au Développement et à la Mise en Place d’un Système de Contrôle des Produits de Qualité liée à l’Origine (TCP/TUN/3202 - LTU : AGNS / 2008-

2009). The objective of this project, developed and implemented in the context

of an interregional programme on promotion of origin-linked quality products

(please refer to page 36 of the present report for further information on the

interregional programme) is to improve the incomes of farmers by supporting

the development of a quality distinction that would increase the value of their

produce. More specifically, one of the objectives of this assistance is to

identify possible options for strengthening the organizational capacities of

farmers in this kind of value addition activities.

• Technical Advice in the framework of the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Programme. FAOSNE provided technical advice to date palm

producers in the South of the country.

• Technical Advice to the UTAP (Union Tunisienne des Agriculteurs et Pêcheurs). FAOSNE provided advice to this producers’ organization in the

area of pesticide management and environment protection.


• All ACP Support Programme on Agricultural Commodities, Including Cotton (AAACP Programme) (GCP /INT/045/EC - LTU: ESTD / 2007-2010).

The overall objective of this interregional programme is to improve incomes

and livelihoods for ACP producers of traditional or other agricultural

commodities, and reduce income vulnerability at both producer and macro

levels. The specific objective is to build the capacity of stakeholders all

43

along the commodity value chain to conceive and implement sustainable

commodity strategies. These will contribute to: (i) enhance farmers’

productivity and competitiveness; (ii) increase returns to labour; (iii) reduce

income fluctuations; (iv) open up new market opportunities, including through

diversification and (v) facilitate recourse to market-based risk management

instruments. From the beginning, the programme has ensured the participation

of involved stakeholders of the commodity chain, including professional and

inter professional organizations involved in commodity production,

processing, transport, trade, storage, cooperatives, credit organisms, etc. FAO

is a programme partner together with other four International Organizations15

.

Under the first phase of the programme, activities have focused on building the

agribusiness capacities of farmer organizations. This programme of work

began with a series of workshops (organized by the FAO Rural Infrastructure

and Agro-industries Division) in each ACP region (West Africa, Central

Africa, Eastern Africa, South Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific) entitled

‘’Building the capacities of farmer organizations to respond to changing agriculture markets’’. Participants included regional and national farmer

organization representatives, and representatives from agri-business. The

workshops’ approach covered (i) training in key topics important for

integrating farmers into value chains; (ii) the identification of core capacities

required by primary farmer organizations; (iii) the identification of the

functions and responsibilities of national unions needed to support their

members respond to modern agriculture markets. Participants also designed

priority follow-up activities that would strengthen institutional capacity at the

sub-national level. The innovative and relevant aspect of the regional

workshops is that the conclusions and activities identified have fed into the

work plans of international organizations.

While each regional workshop allowed for the identification of a number of

regional thematic issues – that lead to different conclusions by region -, overall

the exercise has revealed a number of cross-cutting lessons:

� Dialogue and political will is increasing between the formal

agri-business sector, farmer organizations and the public sector.

� Farmer organizations need to be more strategic with respect to

changing agricultural markets and look at the agri-business

sector as an opportunity rather than as a threat

� There are wide gaps in knowledge capacity and in the different

visions of farmer organizations

� Farmer organizations need to foster membership with more

commercially-oriented farmers. But in some regions, farmer

organizations face political pressure to include smallholders

� Consensus that competitiveness and growth are derived from

specialization

15 The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), The International Trade Center (ITC), The United Nations Conference on Trade And

Development (UNCTAD) and The World Bank

44

Over the course of the next 2-3 years, FAO, under the aegis of the AAACP,

will build on the outcomes of these workshops with the implementation of

follow-up activities identified by participants. Regional sharing of success

cases and approaches will also take place in this phase, in which lessons on the

effectiveness of FAO support will be drawn that will feed into the

identification of primary tools for the achievement of the organizational results

under the new Strategic Framework of the Organization.

• FNPP-Agrobiodiversity (FNPP/GLO/002/NET - LTU: AGPP / 2001-2008).

This global programme aims at promoting awareness about the value of

agricultural biodiversity and the multiple goods and services provided by its

different levels and functions, for sustainable productivity amongst producer

organizations, agricultural cooperatives and enterprises, and consumers, as

well as farmers, indigenous and local communities, and their organizations and

other stakeholders, with a view to promoting responsible practices. The

programme also recognises the need to promote networks of farmers and

farmers' organizations at regional level for exchange of information and

experiences. For example, through this programme, support has been provided

to a countrywide Food Security Programme in Kenya including capacity

building for integrating agro-biodiversity related topics in training institutions

and extension programmes in the context of JFFLS and fisheries FFS.

• Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands (LADA) (EP /GLO/202/GEF –

LTU: NRLA / 2002-2008) FAOSNE and FAORNE participated in this global

project, whose aim is to develop tools and methods to assess land degradation

on dryland ecosystems, watersheds and river basins, carbon storage and

biological diversity. One of the specific objectives of the project is to build the

national, regional and international capacities (with particular emphasis on

multi-stakeholder involvement and participation of land users and farmers at

the local level) to be able to mitigate land degradation and establish sustainable

land use and management practices. During 2008, FAOSNE and FAORNE

have organized several activities in the framework of this project (mainly in

Tunisia), ranging from technical meetings with national institutions to training

sessions of relevant partners.

• PCA Norway 2005-06 Obj. B.2.1 - Improved Food Safety and Food Quality at the National Level (FNOP/INT/103/NOR - LTU: AGNS / 2006-2008).

Several activities have taken place in different regions under the different

project objectives:

a. Africa: the Plan Production and Protection Division and the Gender,

Equity and Rural Employment Division have carried out a proposal on

’Capacity building and awareness-raising on SARD and GAP to

contribute to food safety and quality and integrated natural resources

management’’ for Western Africa - Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal -

that builds on previous sub-projects funded by the FAO-Norway PCA.

In these countries, the project aims at providing micro- and small

enterprises and women’s groups successfully access to lucrative

markets as a result of application of improved quality and safety

45

practices. Activities have been on-going in Kenya, Uganda and Burkina

Faso since 2004 to support the application of Good Agricultural

Practices (GAP) in the horticulture and the cotton-cereal-livestock-

legumes farming systems. The ultimate objective is to help countries

cope with and adjust to global market demands, improve food safety

and quality at national level, and contribute to improved working

conditions, social welfare and management of natural resources. Target

audiences are the public/private sector stakeholders (extension workers,

farmers, leaders of producer organizations, facilitators (trainers), export

organizations and workers’ unions.

b. Asia and the Pacific: The Agricultural and Food Engineering

Technologies Division has developed a comprehensive training

programme that brings in a specific focus on capacity building in good

post-harvest practices to assure the quality and safety of fruits and

vegetables destined for a range of target markets. The programme will

focus on strengthening capacities in three low income countries of the

Asia-Pacific region - The Philippines, Indonesia and Vietnam - to

improve the safety and quality of fresh fruits and vegetables. To meet

this objective, the programme proposes to equip a core of trainers with

the skills and knowledge to undertake national capacity building geared

toward enhancing safety and quality in fruit and vegetable supply

chains. Extension specialists, academics, representatives of farmers

groups, Government officials, researchers, private sector

representatives (invited as observer trainees) are the target audience of

the training, for which manuals on Horticultural Chain Management are

currently in preparation. In Lao PDR, FAO is providing training to

producer groups in food quality and safety management in fresh fruit

and vegetable chains.

c. Latin America and the Caribbean: The FAO Rural Infrastructure and

Agro-industries Division has implemented successfully the subproject

“Improving food quality and safety management along the fruits and

vegetables chain through capacity building in the SME sector’’ in

Nicaragua and Honduras. This experience has generated useful outputs,

such as useful publications adapted to the Central American context

(‘’Herramientas gerenciales costo-effectivas para mejorar la calidad y

asegurar la inocuidad de los alimentos en pequenas y medianas

agroindustrias’’ and ‘’Manual de entrenamiento sobre tecnologias de

metodos combinados’’ please see the Annex ...to have access to these

publications), a regional network of beneficiaries, human resource

trained in updated technology and food safety and quality management,

and reinforced food processing labs, among others. In 2008, a similar

project was implemented in Guatemala in order to satisfy the

Government’s demand for assistance in food safety, quality and

security. The objectives of the project were to enhance quality and

safety in the food chain of fruits and vegetables through upgrading

management and technical skills of agroprocessing SMEs in

Guatemala, and to reinforce the capacity building on food safety, quality

and security in the country through implementing training

46

course/workshops and collateral follow-up activities programs. The

project provided capacity building on food quality and safety to

agrifood SMEs, supported efforts in this direction and created synergies

with related institutional activities within the country. In this context, a

training event addressed to trainers and Small and Medium Enterprises

managers, technicians from Special Programme for Food Security and

national training extension institutions is expected to take place in

Guatemala from the 12 to the 17 of January 2009.

• Promotion of Origin-Linked Quality Products. FAO (LTU: AGNS) has

launched a programme whose main objective is to assist member countries and

stakeholders, including local farmers organizations, in implementing both

local and institutional-level systems regarding origin-linked specific quality that

are appropriate to their economic, social and cultural contexts and contribute to

rural development through the preservation and promotion of products of

origin-linked quality and associated local resources. This specific quality can be

promoted with a designation or “label” referring to the origin – the

Geographical Indication (GI). The relevant procedure is based on voluntary

action by producers to define the associated characteristics collectively and

produce the product in accordance with these specifications. Therefore, the

programme also aims at raising Governments’ awareness of the importance of

involving farmers organizations in the elaboration of codes of practices in this

field. More concretely, activities are currently taking place in the framework of

an interregional FAO project ‘’Appui au renforcement des politiques de qualité

spécifique des aliments’’ – Phase II (GCP /INT/022/FRA - LTU: AGNS / 2007-

2011) with the organization of regional seminars (the Mediterranean, Latin

America and South eastern Europe) that is expected to be replicated next year in

Asia. A number of case studies have been prepared in the framework of the

programme in the three geographical areas concerned: eight case studies in

Latin America (Colombia, Chili, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina, Peru, Costa

Rica, Mexico), three case studies in Southeastern Europe (Serbie, Bosnie

Herzegovina and Macedonia) and one case study in the Mediterranean

(Morocco). Technical cooperation project are ongoing in North Africa

(Morocco and Tunisia: TCP/MOR/3201 and TCP/TUN/3202 respectively,

please see pages 32 and 33 respectively for further information), and on

preparation (Latin America). In the framework of these activities, the Nutrition

and Consumer Protection Division is also preparing a guide ‘’Linking People,

Places and Products – A Guide for Sustainable Agri-food Systems Based on

Geographical Indications’’ on how to build a GI, with the aim of helping

farmers, their organizations and people helping farmers in this field. The guide

that will be released in the beginning of 2009, is also expected to give these

target groups the necessary elements to make a request for certification of their

products. Moreover, a number of seminars, workshops and expert meetings

have also taken place in the regions concerned. Finally, there is currently an

initiative in FAO to set up an Interdepartmental Working Group to deal with

certification, value addition, labelling, legal institutional aspects, that is

expected to consider also the role of farmers organizations.

47

(ii) Forest user organizations

ii.1 Africa

Regional

• Mobilisation et Renforcement des Capacités des Petites et Moyennes Entreprises Impliquées dans les Filières des Produits Forestiers non Ligneux en Afrique Centrale (Projet EuropeAid/121998) (GCP /RAF/408/EC

- LTU : FOEP / 2007-2009). This project - that will be implemented

Cameroun, République Démocratique du Congo, Gabon, Guinée Equatoriale,

République du Congo, République Centrafricaine, Tchad – involves small and

medium forest enterprises, farmers groups and professional organizations,

between others, whose capacities in the organization, production, processing,

commercialization and marketing will be strengthened.

National

Burundi:

• Appui à la Gestion Durable des Peuplements d'Eucalyptus et de Pinus et le Partage Équitable des Bénéfices (TCP/BDI/3202 - LTU : FOMR / 2008-

2010). The project aims at supporting the Government of Burundi in its efforts

to increase the availability of wood to produce energy and to ensure a

sustainable forest resources management. The project will involve forest users

associations at all levels.

Cameroon:

• Gestion Durable des Produits Forestiers Non Ligneux (PFNL) dans les Unités Forestières d’Aménagement (UFA) au Cameroun (MTF/CMR/025/MSC - LTU : FOIP / 2007-2008). The objective of the project

is the promotion of sustainable forestry management in Cameroon, including

several training processes targeting forest users.

ii.2 Asia and the Pacific

National

Mongolia:

• Capacity Building and Institutional Development for Participatory Natural Resources Management and Conservation in Forest Areas of Mongolia (GCP /MON/002/NET - LTU: RAPO / 2007-2012). The project responds to a

direct request from the Ministry of Nature and Environment of Mongolia to

support the Government’s effort to involve the local population in the

sustainable management of Mongolian forest. The problem to be addressed is

to stop and reverse the ongoing degradation of the forests of Mongolia and to

contribute to poverty alleviation through the development of a model of local

level forest ecosystem management that can be replicated to other sites in the

48

forested aimags of Mongolia. The work with local level communities is

fundamental in the framework of this project.

The Philippines:

• Enhancing Natural Resources Management through Enterprise Development (GCP /PHI/055/NZE - LTU: RAPO / 2008-2011). The overall

objective of this project is to enhance environmental management and

develop livelihood opportunities for forest-dwelling communities through

improved forest use in the country. The intention is to build capacity of

forest organizations and other local institutions to develop financially viable,

ecologically sound, and socio-culturally appropriate community enterprises.

These enterprises are expected to provide upland communities with sources of

income and employment, as well as valuable lessons along with potential for

scaling-up nationally. A guidebook ‘’Environment and Natural Resources

Community Enterprise Development’’ has been developed in the framework

of this project.

ii.3 Global / cross-regional

• Forest Connect- Reducing Poverty by Linking Small and Medium Forest Enterprises (SMFEs) with each other through Associations, with National Forest Programme (NFP) Processes, Markets and Service Providers (2007-

2010). This project seeks to address the lack of “connectedness” between

forest associations and support structures in least developed countries, based

on partner demand. This action-research project aims to ‘connect’ SMFEs: (i)

to NFP processes, giving greater voice and empowering them to be heard; (ii)

to emerging markets by enhancing existing SMFE associations and; (iii) to

service providers by strengthening their capacity to offer appropriate training

and financial services. Coordinated jointly by FAO and IIED16

, Forest

Connect helps to disseminate guidance and training materials on models of

information services/support network that enhance the economic, social and

environmental sustainability of pro-poor SMFEs. National hubs that act as

information services/support networks for small forest enterprise associations

have been identified in at least ten pilot countries, six co-ordinated by FAO

and four coordinated by IIED (the current shortlist includes Lao PDR, Nepal,

China, Mali, Mozambique, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Guatemala, Guyana and

Ethiopia). (For more information about the Forest Connect project, please

see: http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/42297/en)

16

International Institute for Environment and Development

49

(iii) Fisher organizations

iii.1 Africa

National

Malawi:

• Support to Small-scale Fish Farming Enterprises (TCP/MLW/3101 - LTU:

FIRI / 2006-2009). The specific objective of this project is to assist in

improving seed quality and supply by establishing sustainable catfish

hatcheries at three selected sites in Malawi. The project foresees the provision

of training to a variety of stakeholders including farmers, representatives of

community-based organizations and fish farmer clubs. The expected project

outcomes include three economically viable catfish hatcheries functioning as

viable small businesses as well as improved organizational structure and

business planning capabilities for fish producers in the three schemes.

iii.2 Asia and the Pacific

National

Korea, PDR:

• Significant Increasing of Incomes by Assisting Cooperative Hatchery Workers (TFD-05/DRK/001 - LTU: FID / 2007-2008). The objective of this

TeleFood project was to help cooperative members in the country to produce

sea cucumber juveniles by providing facilities and materials for micro algae

culture and hatchery use.

Thailand:

• Certification for Small-scale Aquaculture in Thailand (TCP/THA/3202 -

LTU: FIMA / 2009-2010). FAORAP developed a TCP proposal for this

project, whose specific outcomes are i) to identify improvements to existing

systems for certification of aquaculture products in Thailand, in line with

international guidelines and norms on aquaculture; ii) establish methodologies

for certification of aquaculture products from groups or clusters of small-scale

aquaculture farmers, thus allowing farmers to participate in trade in certified

aquaculture products; iii) strengthen capacity of government and non-

government agencies, including farmer organizations, for certification of

aquaculture products in domestic and international markets. Viet Nam:

• Integrated Management of Lagoon Activities in Thua Thien and Hue Provinces (IMOLA project) – Phase I. (GCP /VIE/029/ITA - LTU: FIEP /

2005-2008). During the first Phase of this project, support was provided to

people dependent on the lagoon system in Thua Thien Hue. The main aim

50

was to improve their livelihoods by promoting a participatory sustainable

management of the hydro-biological resources in the lagoons, in accordance

with the socio-economic and production systems requirements of the

population and with particular emphasis on the gender roles, the achievement

of food security and the alleviation of poverty. The project evaluation

revealed that in six communes, 15 fisher associations (FAs) formulated and

adopted the establishment of pilot co- and/or community-based management

schemes were facilitated and regulations and by-laws. The evaluation also

highlighted the effective work on local level, a factor which was instrumental

for the focus on working closely with districts and communes. This created, in

the selected target areas, mutual trust and enhanced cooperation with

emerging FAs, which in turn explains the success in awareness building. A

second phase of the project is expected to last until 2010.

• Market-Oriented Agroforestry to Reduce Poverty in Quang Nam Province - (GCP /VIE/035/ITA - LTU: RAPO / 2008-2011). The objective of this project

- follow-up phase of the project Capacity Building, Extension, Demonstration

and Support for the Development of Market-Oriented Agroforestry in Quang

Nam Province (GCP /VIE/027/ITA - LTU: RAPO / 2004-2007) - is to reduce

poverty in the rural areas and help promote conservation of natural resources

through development of sustainable, market-oriented agroforestry systems.

The project tries to address the issue that farmers which are mostly operating

on small-scale need to form producer-marketing groups to overcome their

small volume disadvantages and enhance linkages between farmers and

markets; this can be addressed through assistance in the formations of producer

(farmer)-marketing groups and development and implementation of business

plans including the continued support to Cam Ha Cooperative. The project also

envisages encouraging the development of other forms of rural enterprises

and producer-marketing associations such as a club or private limited, which

may be less formal in structure than a cooperative, but may be more acceptable

for farmers with no association experience.

iii.3 Near East

Regional:

• Développement Durable de la Pêche Artisanale Méditerranéenne au Maroc et en Tunisie (GCP /RAB/005/SPA - LTU : FIMF / 2007-2010). This project

is particularly focused on the support and the establishment of an enabling

environment for small-scale fishery communities by, inter alia, strengthening

fishers' cooperatives/associations in Marocco and Tunisia.

National:

Gaza Strip and the West Bank:

• Emergency Support to needy Fishermen in the Gaza Strip to Restore their Fishing Activities (OSRO/GAZ/804/ITA - LTU: FIMA / 2008-2009). The

principal objective of the project is the improvement of the food security status

of 100 vulnerable fishermen families (700 persons) in Khan Yunis and Rafah

51

areas in the Gaza Strip through the promotion of aquaculture as an alternative

source of food and income. The project will seek the collaboration of partners

with strong technical capacity, good field implementation experience and

preferably consolidated presence in the area. To this effect, the collaboration of

various fishermen’s associations is envisaged.

c) Helping to create an enabling environment


i. 1. Africa

Regional

• Support to ICARRD follow-up and to the African Land Policy Initiative including regional stakeholders’ dialogue (TCP/RAF/3115 - LTU: NRLA /

2008-2009). The objective of this regional project – focused on West and

Central Africa - is to contribute to ensuring security of land rights, increased

productivity, secured livelihoods and broad-based economic growth and

sustainable development in Africa. Specifically to: (i) increase the capacity of

the African Union Commission and its sister institutions to steer and organize

the process for the preparation, drafting and implementation of an Africa wide

Land Policy Framework and Guidelines including strong participation and

contributions from CSOs (Regional farmers' organizations and NGOs) with

clear benchmarks for monitoring implementation; and (ii) enable CSOs to

prepare and discuss, within a participative process, a well informed and

significant contribution to the land policy framework and guidelines in an

effective, coherent and timely manner. A variety of farmers' organisations are

attending the various workshops organized and a special attention is directed to

allow actors and various types of associations (including those addressing

gender issues and women's land rights) to gain the required knowledge and

capacity to participate more actively in this initiative throughout its whole

implementation. In order to guarantee the equity of the process (including

gender equity) there is a focus on the needs of specific social groups: women,

young, pastoralists and indigenous people. A particular attention is given to the

involvement of women’s groups and organizations through women’s networks

in West and Central Africa.

• Supporting Food Security and Reducing Poverty in Kenya and Tanzania through Conservation of Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) (GCP /GLO/198/GER - LTU: NRL / 2008-2011). This project,

whose objective is that selected GIAHS systems in the two countries

concerned are sustainably managed and dynamically conserved (i.e. local

farmers and Government apply the concept actively), is being developed from

the basis that attaining food security and reducing poverty through dynamic

conservation of GIAHS could be primarily based on (i) the empowerment of

local communities (farmers, including youth and women’s group),

decentralised institutions, farmers’ organizations and self help groups by

training and capacity building for the governance and management of the

project and (ii) institutional building and strengthening local ownership of

52

the project to ensure sustainability in dealing with conservation and adaptive

management of GIAHS, hence, conservation of the natural resource base.

National

Burundi:

• Appui au Renforcement des Capacités des Organisations Professionnelles Agricoles (Burundi) (TCP/BDI/3102 - LTU : FOMR / 2007-2009). This 18

month project was launched in 2007, at the request of the Burundi

government, to promote an enabling environment favouring the emergence of

Professional Agricultural Organizations and to strengthen institutional

and technical capacities of these organizations and concerned public sector

agencies. In 2008, the FAO Policy Assistance and resource Mobilization

Division provided successful training sessions for producer organizations and

Government on policy, analysing and participating in policy dialogue and

negotiation. The FAO Investment Centre Division is currently working in a

series of participatory workshops on developing the action plan for producer

organizations and Government vis a vis producer organization strengthening

and inclusion, which is the final output of the project. In the context of this

project, the Investment Centre has also finalized a proposal for reforming the

legal status of producer organizations in the current country legislation, by

making a more flexible and appropriate law for the types of producer

organizations on the ground. The project is expected to end in May 2009.

Mozambique:

• Decentralized Legal Support and Capacity Building to Promote Sustainable Development and Good Governance at Local Level (GCP /MOZ/081/NET -

LTU: LEGN / 2005-2009). This project aims to consolidate the progressive

and democratizing elements of land and natural resources legislation and

make more effective use of existing legal and judicial structures, thus

contributing directly to good governance and decentralization in Mozambique,

the alleviation of poverty, and the promotion of an equitable and sustainable

development process. The project foresees as one of its immediate objectives

the training of local community leaders and members and other individuals

involved in resource access and use, enhancing awareness of their rights, and

how to use and defend these rights.


National

China, PDR:

• Strengthening Disaster Preparedness in the Agricultural Sector (TCP/CPR/3105 - LTU: NRCB / 2007-2009). The overall project objective is

to assist the MoA in testing and operationalizing the process of shifting from

an emergency response focused intervention approach towards a natural

disaster risk prevention/preparedness oriented approach in the agricultural

53

sector in Juye country. One of the intended long-term project outcomes is to

enhance the operational capacities and coordination mechanisms for risk

prevention and management at county, prefecture and provincial levels. The

project design builds on the basic principles of working in a participatory way

and building on what already exists (e.g. local knowledge, available training

materials, successfully practiced risk adaptation techniques/methods in China

or elsewhere, and existing institutions and organizations). Therefore, the

project will assist the government in building and strengthening the

capacities of farmer organizations at grass root level to complement the

government responsibilities in local disaster risk management.

Thailand:

• Pilot Project for Poverty Alleviation and the Promotion of Food Security in Northeastern Thailand (TCP/THA/3102 – LTU: RAPS / 2006-2009). The

project’s development objective is to increase agricultural productivity and

farmers’ self-reliance as well as income of rural households in the project area

and formulate a national strategy for future expansion. Farmers’ groups’

empowerement is one of the specific objectives of the project.


National

Guatemala:

• Apoyo a la Formación de Grupos y Organizaciones de Desarrollo Local (Departamento de San Marcos y Municipio del Suroeste de Huehuetenango - Guatemala) (GDCP/GUA/001/SPA - LTU: NRC / 2007-2010). The specific

objective of the project is to identify and build the capacities of producers and

leaders within local communities to put in practice new production processes

and modalities for employment generation.

Haiti:

• Développement Local dans la Commune de Marmelade et de Plaisance en Haiti - Phase II (GCP /HAI/019/CAN - LTU : SDAR – NRCB / 2005-2010).

The project focus is to strengthen the capacities of local entities to be able to

contribute to poverty reduction and environmental rehabilitation in the

Marmelade and Plaisance communities, by carrying out agro-forestry,

commercialization, management of river basins and local governance training

activities.

• Projet de Développement Rural et Renforcement des Capacités Locales dans la Commune de Dessalines (Haiti) (GDCP/HAI/001/FRA - LTU : NRCB /

2005-2009). The objective of the project is to support local actors in the

process of self-development by providing them the means to improve their life

conditions through improved natural resources management, production and

value addition techniques.

54

Mexico:

• Evaluación del Programa de Fondo de Tierras y Joven Emprendedor Rural (FTJER) (UTF /MEX/077/MEX - LTU: ESAE / 2007-2009). The objective of

this project is to assess the effectiveness of the FTJER programme with regard

to the objective initially identified, which was to improve access of young

people between 18 and 39 years to production, so they would be able to set up

agro-enterprises.

i.4 Near East

National

Algeria:

• Valorisation de l’Eau par une Approche Participative et Intégrée en Petite et Moyenne Hydraulique (PMH) (TCP/ALG/3104 - LTU : NRLW / 2007-2009).

FAOSNE is providing technical support to this project, whose aim is to help

the government of Algeria to prepare and launch a national programme to

develop small and medium hydraulics. The project gives great emphasis to the

organizational reinforcement of existing institutions, including farmer

organizations, which is one of the main project’s outputs. A seminar will be

organized in April 2009 in the context of this project.


• Creating Capacity and Instruments to Implement the Right to Adequate Food (GCP /INT/995/SWI - LTU: ESAD / 2005-2008). The overall objective

of this project is that the concept and practical value of the Right to Food is

understood and supported by rights holders, duty bearers and society at large

and to build capacity at national level to implement the Right to Food is

strengthened.

• Rural Women and Development Collection, Processing and Dissemination of Information-Dimitra Phase II (GCP /INT/810/BEL - LTU: ESW / 2002-

2011). (Addendum Phase II of Femmes Rurales et Developpment - Dimitra

(GCP /INT/673/BEL - LTU: SDW / 1997-2001) Dimitra is an Africa

interregional project whose main objective is increasing the visibility of the

efforts of rural populations, especially of rural women and their

organizations, with the aim of improving their status as essential partners in

development. Dimitra is a gender information and communication project,

hence it works with community radios, and listeners’s clubs (examples in the

South Kivu and Katanga Provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo and

soon in Niger). For the period 2009-2011, Dimitra has become a cross-section

axis for gender mainstreaming and dissemination of information through its

large network for (the Belgian funded) sub-programme on "Gender and

Knowledge Management" concerning four countries in sub-Saharan Africa -

Niger, Senegal, Burkina-Faso and Mali - and for the Great Lake Region. In this

context, a launch workshop will take place in Niger, organized by different

55

FAO units based on the experience of better knowledge and training on

"boutiques d'intrants" and farmers organizations. Dimitra works in close

collaboration with various FAO technical divisions in the field and has

participated in the elaboration of the project document of the Programme

d'Horticulture Urbaine et Péri-urbaine of Burundi. It is also closely associated

with the same programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo. For the period

2009-2011, several activities are planned, including the production and

dissemination of a CD-ROM and capacity building workshops on different

thematics, as well as a training module on “Communicating gender for

development” which will be the base for a training intended for all Dimitra

partners and the rural communicators of the area.

d) Good practices and success cases with evidence of impact

In 2008, a number of FAO Good Practices have been identified from three different

sources17

:

Source 1: Strengthening Agricultural Institutions – Proposals for the Institutional Dimension of the Initiative on Soaring Food Prices (ISFP)18

1. Business Information Systems for Producer Organizations: CoopWorks

2. The Experience with Farmer Field Schools in West Africa.

3. Rehabilitating National Agricultural Research Systems: The Example of Eritrea.

4. Developing a Rural Communication Network: The experience of RADCON in

Egypt:

5. Participatory Plant Breeding in Nepal

6. Input Distribution through Farmer Organizations: ‘’Boutiques d’Intrants’’ in Niger

Source 2: Capacity Building Review of Good Practices currently undertaken by the

IDWG on Capacity Building:

7. Upgrading Belize’s Legal Framework for Biosecurity (LEGN)

8. Land Consolidation in Central and Eastern Europe: a Regional Approach (NRL)

9. Participatory Planning Process at National and Local Level for Strategy

Development for Education for Rural People in Kosovo (NRR)

10. Community-based Forest Enterprise Development in The Gambia (FOE)

11. Participatory Law Review and Development of Fisheries Legislation in Tonga

(LEGN)

12. Farmer Field Schools in India (AGP)

13. Decentralised Legal Support for the Implementation of Mozambique's Land Law

and Forestry and Wildlife Law (LEGN)

Source 3: SARD Initiative Good Practices Database:

14. Farmer Field School for Upscaling Soil Management Technologies, Kenya

17 For more details on the good practices please see Annex F: ftp://extftp01/es/Data/ESW/GoodPracticesIB/ 18 The paper prepared at the DG request in the context of the Initiative of Soaring Food Prices can be accessible through this link:

ftp://extftp01/es/Data/ESW/StrengtheningAgriculturalInstitutions/

56

15. Fertilizer Micro-dosing and Warrantage Credit System for Small-scale Farmers in

the Sahel

16. Participatory Fisheries Monitoring, Control and Surveillance (MCS) of Small

Scale Fishing Zone, Guinea

17. Community-based Forest Management among Pastoralist Communities, Suledo

Forest, Tanzania

18. Community-managed Pastoralist Slaughterhouse Keekonyokie, Kenya

19. Establishment of Small and Medium Forest-based Enterprises, The Gambia

20. Farmer Field School to Enhance Revenue Generation and Social Cohesion,

Democratic Republic of Congo

21. Promoting Farmer Innovation in Farmer Field Schools, Kenya

In 2009, this list is expected to grow and a draft publication on good practices on

institution building is expected to be produced.

e) Meetings held and regional networking activities supported

Africa

(1) FAO Sub-regional Office for Southern Africa has participated/ been involved

in the preparation of the following meetings:

• Participation in several meetings to promote Good Agricultural Practices,

particularly Conservation Agriculture (CA) at national, regional and

international levels.

• Active participation in meetings of the CA Task Force for Zimbabwe.

• 3rd

SADC-EU International Scientific Symposium entitled “Towards Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change: “Institutional Structures and Best Practices in Land and Water Management in Southern Africa”;

including CA sessions and also launching of Zambia CA National Task

Force (for surther information and documentation please see:

http://www.fanrpan.org/documents/d00487/index.php)

• Participation in the Africa Workshop on Conservation Agriculture co-

organized by FAO and whose objective was to build and use evidence and

inter-agency networking to strengthen impact of conservation agriculture

projects in Africa.

• All ACP Agricultural Commodities Programme (AAACP) kick off

workshop for East and Southern Africa.

• Inception Workshop and Regional CA Task Force Steering Committee for

the Norwegian supported CA workshop in Lesotho

(2) From 27-29 August 2008, FAO participated in a Technical Workshop on

Tools Development organized in Kenya under the International Labour

57

Organization (ILO) CoopAfrica19

project, of which FAO is partner. The

workshop’s participants ranged from apex organizations from partner

countries, relevant ILO units/offices/programmes to academic institutions and

cooperative colleges, international organizations/development projects. The

workshop’s main purpose was to launch partnerships for joint cooperative

tools development. During (and prior to) the workshop, FAO contributed its

key tools on cooperatives, participated in the survey on tools and unmet

demand for tools, identified areas of future engagement in the partnership,

presented and analyzed its good practice on computerizing agricultural

cooperatives though CoopWorks (Open Source Business Information System

for Producer Organizations) in a study visit to a dairy cooperative in Kenya

(in connection with the projects GCP /INT/MUL/50 and TCP/KEN/2907).


(1) From 25-29 February 2008, FAO participated in a Regional Workshop on

Smallholder Dairy Development in Chiang Mai (Thailand) (for more

information on the workshop, including lessons learned please see:

http://www.aphca.org/reference/dairy/chiangmai_workshop_feb08.html)

(2) FAORAP:

• provided support to an FAO-NEDAC Regional Workshop on the “Role of Agricultural Cooperatives in Response to the Impact on Natural Disasters and Climate Change” was held in 5-9 May, 2008 in New Delhi

(India). Co-operative leaders and policy makers from Bangladesh, India,

Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Thailand attended. • organized a workshop on “Strengthening Capacity of Producer

Organizations in the South Pacific”. • held regional conferences/workshops in Vietnam, Thailand, Solomon

Island and Nepal, for which it produced technical papers on agribusiness

and marketing, linking small holder producer organizations to markets and

mobilizing and managing farmer based organizations. • produced a report of the “Expert Consultation on Farmers' Income

Statistics” held in December 2007 in Bangkok (Thailand). • organized national workshops targeted at producers organizations in

Bangladesh, Bhutan, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Myanmar on “Regulations, Standards and Certification of Agricultural Exports”, that will be the

subject of an FAORAP publication in 2009. • organized a workshop in Thailand on “Linking Farmers to Markets –

Focus Group Methodologies”

19 The Cooperative Facility for Africa - CoopAfrica - is a regional technical cooperation programme of the Cooperative Programme of the

International Labour Organization

58

• organized a workshop in Thailand on “Formulating Country Level Dairy Development Strategies in Asia”

(2) FAOSAP:

a) organized and held the ‘’Eleventh Round Table Meeting for Pacific Island Countries (RTM) on WTO and Regional Trade Agreements and Provisions’’ from 15-19 September 2008 in Wellington (New Zealand),

which reiterated the importance of the RTM series in assisting Pacific

countries in relation to world negotiations and its impact on the Pacific.

The private sector and NGOs were well represented in the RTM. Regional

partner organizations together with the Government of New Zealand

assisted in the organization of the meeting.

b) co-organized and held the ‘’Pacific Roundtable on Climate Change (PRCC) Climate Change and Food Security Expert Group Meeting’’, held in Apia, Samoa in October 2008, focused on the effect of climate

change on countries, livelihoods, and food security, with emphasis on

mitigation, adaptation and obtaining of accurate information.

c) co-organized the ‘’Ecosystem Approach to Management of Coastal Fisheries (EAF) in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTS) ‘’ meeting held in Nadi, Fiji 17 to 21 November 2008, aimed at planning,

developing and managing fisheries in a way that addresses the multiple

needs of societies, without jeopardising the opportunity for future

generations to also gain the many benefits provided by marine ecosystems.

It brought together government representatives from fisheries and

conservation departments, and NGO representatives from 12 countries

around the Pacific.

Near East

(1) FAOSNE:

• provided technical support and advice to the following meetings:

a) 9 February 2008: meeting of organic date producers, held in El Klibia,

Kébili (Tunisia).

b) 9 February 2008: Nour Oasis Association seminar on organic farming,

held in Kébili (Tunisia)

c) 14-15 May 2008: regional Meeting of the Union Magrébin des

Agriculteurs, held in Tunis (Tunisia)

d) 14-15-16 May 2008: Union Magrébin des Agriculteurs for the seminar

‘’La Complémentarité (Intégration) Maghrébine dans le Secteur des Céréales afin d’assurer la Sécurité Alimentaire’’, held in Tunis

(Tunisia)

59

• from 5 to 6 November 2008 organized a Regional Workshop for North

Africa (‘’Sirte Conference’’) held in Tunis (Tunisia) in preparation for the

‘’International Conference on Water for Agriculture and Energy in Africa: the Challenges of Climate Change’’, that took place in Libya

from 15 - 17 December 2008. The Conference was organized by FAO with

the collaboration of the Lybian Government, and was preceded by other

four regional workshops were stakeholders, including farmer

organizations, were consulted in order to identify regional trends in the

water use in the agricultural and energy sectors (for further information on

the International Conference, please see:

http://www.sirtewaterandenergy.org/en/stakeholders.html).

(2) FAORNE:

• organized a workshop on organic farming in the Oasis of Kébili,

Association Nour Oasis, El Klibia, Kébili in February 2008.

• organized a workshop on cereal and food security integration, attended

by the Union Magrébine des Agriculteurs and held in Tunis (Tunisia)

in May 2008.

• participated in the preparation of the UNIDO International Conference

on “Sharing Innovative Agribusiness Solutions: from Farms to Markets, Providing Know – How and Finance”, held in Cairo (Egypt)

in November 2008. The Conference addressed policy issues as well as

technological innovation at the farm and market levels.

• organized a regional workshop on “Communication Practices for Effective National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems (NARES): Supporting Small-scale Farmers to Achieve Food Security”, held in Beirut (Lebanon) in November 2008. The issues

addressed were analysis of regional/national context and sharing

experiences and fostering communication for effective linkages

between NARES actors and the small-scale producers.

• organized national follow up seminars on the implementation of

Rotterdam Convention, held in Kuwait, Sudan, Lebanon, Yemen, and

Oman with the participation of the NGO’s, private sector and farmers

associations.

• organized field days in Saudi Arabia to demonstrate the use of

biological agents in the control of date palm pests.


(1) 8-11 April 2008, New Delhi (India): ‘’Global Agro-Industries Forum: Improving Competitiveness and Development Impact’’. FAO, UNIDO and

IFAD organized this global meeting about development of competitive agro-

industries as a crucial step for creating employment and income

opportunities and for enhancing the demand for farm products. At the Forum,

60

the three agencies committed to assist member countries in creating enabling

environments for agribusiness, agro-industries and value chains and to support

the development of specific agro-industries and value chains through the

design and implementation of initiatives to improve the capacities of

smallholder farmers, small agro-industries and their organizations to

participate in value chains for high value products, between other means. FAO

committed to support ministries of agriculture to strengthen their

organizational capacities to foster the development of agro-industries. The full

report of the Forum can be found at:

http://www.fao.org/ag/ags/publications/docs/GAIF%20English%20report_ligh

t.pdf. Also, a DVD with the Forum proceedings has been produced, containing

power point presentations of the side-events on innovation in agro-industries,

showing Indian and worldwide case studies (for further information about the

Forum, please see: http://www.gaif08.org/).

(2) 3-5 June 2008, Rome (Italy): FAO held a ‘’High Level Conference on Climate Change, Bio-energy and Food Security: Challenges for the Millennium’’ . Civil Society Organizations, including farmers’ organizations,

participated at the various events organized in this context.

(3) 10 October 2008, Rome (Italy): EuropAfrica International Congress – ‘’Family Farmers Propose Solutions to the Food Crisis. Are Agricultural Policies Responding? A Dialogue between Actors and Institutions”. The event was organized by various NGOs with the

collaboration of FAO. Representatives of regional farmers’ organizations from

Africa (ROPPA, EAFF, PROPAC) participated at the event.

(4) 13-17 October 2008, Bangkok (Thailand): ‘’Global Conference Securing Sustainable Small-Scale Fisheries: Bringing Together Responsible Fisheries and Social Development’’. The Conference was held in response to a request

by the 27th

session of the Committee on Fisheries (COFI) that FAO convene a

broad-based international conference focussing specifically on small-scale

fisheries. A preparatory workshop was held on 11-13 October 2008 by civil

society organisations and fishworkers representatives, organized by the

International Collective in Support of Fishworkers (ICSF), World Forum of

Fisher Peoples (WFFP), Sustainable Development Foundation of Thailand

(SDF) and the International Planning Committee for Food Sovereignty (IPC).

The workshop produced a comprehensive statement that was introduced to the

Conference. The Conference had a special focus on securing access and user

rights by fishing communities to coastal and fishery resources that sustain

their livelihoods, and re-enforced the claim that small-scale fisheries have a

potential, not yet fully realized, to significantly contribute to sustainable

development and the attaining of the UN millennium development goals

(MDGs). The outcome of the Bangkok Conference will be reported back to

and finally be endorsed by COFI, possibly leading to a recommendation that

would be effective for the member states – in other words, the substantial

involvement of fisherfolk organisations and NGOs in this conference leads

to their indirect but very significant involvement in the FAO Fisheries Governing Body with possible impact on Governments’ fishery policies.

61

(5) 15 October 2008, Rome (Italy): a side event with rural producer

organizations took place around the World Food Day, with the purpose of

discussing how food producers should address the ongoing food crisis. At the

event, representatives of producer organizations presented their analysis in

addressing problems to the soaring food prices. The organizations highlighted

the importance of capacity building to address and face the crisis, and called

for the development of a global partnership between farmers and UN agencies.

(6) 21 November 2008, Rome (Italy): a side event with CSOs took place during

the FAO Conference. The objective of the meeting was to hear from farmers,

indigenous peoples, women, youth and other CSOs actors on the FAO reform

and ways forward. During the meeting, representatives of the above mentioned

organizations called for FAO to take advantage of the current reform process

to set up a more institutionalized way of working with civil society

organizations, including the development of a partnership between FAO and

CSOs.

(7) 26-27 January 2009, Madrid (Spain): the High-Level Meeting on Food Security for All brought together a broad range of stakeholders from more

than 126 countries, coming from national governments, civil society, trade

unions, private sector, academia, donor agencies and multilateral

organizations. The purpose of the meeting was to accelerate progress in

meeting MDG 1 and address the effects of price fluctuations in vulnerable

populations. Participants agreed on the importance of an inclusive and broad

process of consultation on options leading to the establishment of a Global

Partnership for Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, and emphasized that

consultations should be open to the full range of stakeholders involved in

agriculture, food security and nutrition (including farmers’ organizations, civil

society organizations, women’s organizations, private sector, developing

country governments, and both regional and international organizations)

f) Any other relevant activities at national and regional level

(1) FAORAP has developed Participatory System Analysis (PSA) investigative

studies of producer’s organization supply/value chains in India, Philippines,

Nepal, Lao PDR, Vietnam, Pakistan, Thailand and Indonesia, that will lead to

FAORAP publications in 2009. FAORAP has also produced research studies

on the risks associated with smallholder farmers and producer organizations

converting to organic farming in India, Thailand and Philippines that will also

lead to FAORAP publications 2009.

(2) FAOSFS:

• has supported the formulation of the forthcoming ‘’Swaziland Agricultural Development Project’’ (GCP /SWA/016/EC - LTU: NRRR / 2009-2014)

with funding from TCP/SWA/3102. The objective of the project is to

contribute to an overall increased equitable economic national growth and

development, and more specifically, to improve smallholder production

and marketing systems. The project has a full component on institutional

62

reform (Agricultural Research and Service Delivery) that includes a sub-

component on support to producers/associations/farmer groups for

improved productivity as well as capacity in marketing.

• has provided training support to farmers in Lesotho to become seed

growers by building capacity for modern seed production techniques under

the project Improving Seed Security (TCP/LES/3101 - LTU: AGPS /

2006-2009) whose main objective is to improve seed availability and

security of the main food crops in selected rural communities in order to

enhance agricultural production and food security amongst resource-poor

farmers.

• has supported the project ‘’Support to the Date Production Programme, Namibia - Introduction of Date Palm Cultivation into Communal Farming and Hardap Settlement (Phase II)’’ (UTF/NAM/004/NAM -

LTU: AGPC / 2001-2009), whose objective is to establish pilot settlement

farm and to introduce date palm to communal areas, as well as to

strengthen the achieved date development and to render support to all

components contributing towards the permanent establishment of a date

industry in Namibia.

g) Knowledge platforms for producer organization’s capacity development

Africa:

(1) Under the project Rural Development Communication Network in Egypt --

Rural and Agriculture Development Communication Network (RADCON)

(UTF /EGY/021 - LTU: SDRE / 2004-2008), a sustainable operational

dynamic information and communication system that responds to the

stakeholders information requirements of poor farming communities has been

developed. The system aims to establish/improve the communication between

extension, research and private and public persons and institutions involved in

rural and agricultural development. Innovative media communication

programme is also developed to increase the benefit of RADCON among the

targeted population.

Asia and the Pacific:

(1) FAO participated in the development of an Asia Pacific Integrated Plant Nutrient Management Network (APIPNM), in Thailand. The initiative of

establishing the Network was derived from the regional workshop on

Improving Plant Nutrient Management for Better Farmer Livelihoods, Food

Security and Environmental Sustainabilit held in Beijing, China in December

2005 (please see the workshop proceedings at

http://www.fao.org/docrep/010/ag120e/ag120e00.htm). At the workshop,

participants from 17 countries collectively expressed interest in establishing

the network after discussing and exchanging ideas and recommendations to

collectively formulate technical and policy measures on developing both

country and region options for making integrated plant nutrient management

63

the alternative technology for sustainable crop production and soil fertility

management (for further information on APIPNM please see:

http://www.ldd.go.th/web_ord/ORDGroup/ORD_Group10/Data/DataProject/T

hailand_countryreportfinal(web).pdf).

(2) An Asia Pacific Soil and Water Conservation Network for the humid tropics (ASOCON) has been reorganized. The network aims to assist its member

countries - China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines,

Thailand and Vietnam - through a programme of information exchange,

regional workshops, expert consultations and learning activities to enhance the

skills and expertise of those responsible for the development and dissemination

of soil and water conservation practices for small-scale farmers. The ultimate

objective of the network is to help small-scale farmers use their land

sustainably and productively (for further information, please see:

http://asocon.org/main.htm).

Latin America and the Caribbean:

(1) Knowledge Platform for the Development of Central America and

Mexico (http://www.comunicacionparaeldesarrollo.org/): it has been

developed in close collaboration with FAO for learning and joint action

between individuals, organizations and institutions, including producer

organizations, whose activities are directly linked with communication for

development in Central America and Mexico.

(2) Plataforma de Comunicación y Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indígenas de

América Latina (http://www.plataformaindigena.org/) is a space for

participation whose primary aims are to influence communication and

development policies affecting Indigenous Peoples, as well as to serve as

space for the exchange of knowledge, proposals and mechanisms to foster

cooperation between different actors engaged with Indigenous Peoples.

(3) Platicar (http://www.platicar.go.cr/) stands for Agricultural and Rural

Technology, Information and Communication Platform (in Spanish) and is a

space for knowledge exchange between producers, extension officers and

researches. The site is sustained by FAO and INTA, a national institution

devoted to agricultural technology transfer in Costa Rica.

Global / cross-regional:

(1) The FAO Capacity Building Portal (http://www.fao.org/capacitybuilding)

was launched in early 2008. With the aim to provide improved access to its

institution building learning resources, training materials, and services of

specific value to farmers’ organizations, cooperatives and chambers of

agriculture. In 2006, almost 50 institution building learning resources for

farmer’s organizations and cooperatives were identified from 22 FAO

technical units through an inventory undertaken by the IDWG on Institution

Building for Agriculture and Rural Development. In 2007, selected learning

services which FAO provides and are specifically targeted to farmers’

64

organizations, cooperatives, and chambers of agriculture were also identified.

In 2008, some 350 new FAO resources of interest to producer organizations

and cooperatives were identified and started to be progressively uploaded in

the portal by the relevant FAO units / divisions so that they can be accessible

to the wide public.

(2) The Contract Farming Resource Center

(http://www.fao.org/ag/ags/contract- farming/index_cf/en/) has been

established by FAO with the aim to offer a ‘’one-stop’’ site where information

on contract farming is freely made available, thus responding to the growing

demand for information and technical support on planning and implementing

contract farming operations.

(3) Food, Agriculture and Decent Work (http://waicent.fao.org/test/fao-

ilo_draft/en/cooporgs/cooporg.html) is a joint FAO/ILO website, which

includes a chapter on agricultural co-operatives and other membership-based

organizations, such as financial co-operatives, which directly or indirectly

offer opportunities for farm and non-farm rural and urban employment. As

cooperatives and producer organizations often unite business and social goals,

they can provide effective mechanisms for their members to attain social

objectives within their communities, including objectives related to the

promotion of decent and fair employment.

(4) The FAO’s Participation Website (http://www.fao.org/participation/) contains

tools and methodologies to support participation in project and policy design,

implementation, and evaluation. The site continues to expand in terms of FAO

documents (888), participatory approaches and methods (335) and newsletter

subscribers (1180). It also provides an expanding forum for sharing

experiences as well as lessons learned from the practical application of

participatory processes within projects or programmes in different sectors.

(5) The Rural Finance Learning Centre (http://www.ruralfinance.org) provides

access to self study guides for managers of agricultural cooperatives on the

following topics: basic economics of an agricultural cooperative, crop

collection and storage, managing transport, planning and supply services,

making a budget, agricultural lending, savings and credit funds, interest

rates, self-sufficiency, liquidity management, and marketing of financial

services. The Rural Finance Learning Centre also includes a guidance

manual for advisers and trainers about using these materials, as well as some

ILO cooperative training materials. The material can be found at:

www.ruralfinance.org/id/31955.

(6) The Technology for Agriculture: Proven Technologies for Smallholders

(TECA) website (http://www.fao.org/sd/teca/) is an FAO initiative that aims at

improving access to information and knowledge about available proven

technologies in order to enhance their adoption in agriculture, livestock,

fisheries and forestry thus contributing to food security, poverty alleviation and

sustainable development. Farmers’ associations, as organizations that provide

advisory services to their members, are one of the key beneficiaries of the

initiative. TECA integrates a network of more than 20 partner organizations,

65

which have so far established more than 800 proven technologies. The Phase II

of this initiative is currently being developed, with the objectives to improve

its functionality in order to more easily and better document and share good

practices, to further decentralize it and to broaden its scope to address

challenges of food security and poverty alleviation by including bioenergy,

climate change and disaster risk management.

3. Activities for 2009-2010

a) Policy processes and advice to member countries on co-operative and producer

group enterprise development and support to producer organizations to participate in policy dialogue (preliminary list in progress)

a.1. Regional

Africa

(1) In coordination with four regional African Farmer Organizations networks,

IFAD and CTA, FAO will provide technical assistance to the partially EC-

funded program ‘’Support to Farmers’ Organizations and Agricultural Policy Processes in Africa’’. The overall goal of the programme is the

improvement of the livelihoods of the rural poor producers, and its purpose is

to strengthen the capacity of small farmers’ organizations in African

countries, and their regional networks, to represent the interests of their

members and to influence policies and support programmes affecting

agriculture, rural development and food security. The programme will

comprise two major components: i) institutional development of national

farmers’ organizations and of their regional networks; and ii) promoting the

capacity of farmers’ organizations to lobby and get involved at the national,

regional, continental (African Union), and global agricultural policy processes.

The programme activities are expected to be developed during three years.


(1) Capacity Building for Dialogue and Collaboration between Government and

CSOs in Follow-up to ICARRD. The FAO NRLA unit will be the LTU of this

regional project that will be implemented in Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and

thw Philippines from 2009 to 2010. Through this project, FAO will provide

technical assistance to both governments and partner CSOs to: i) establish

suitable national institutional frameworks for Government-CSO dialogue and

collaboration; ii) development of methodologies/tools for training of trainers

of both CSO’s and local governments on a wide range of issues (policy

dialogue, participatory planning, negotiation, consensus-building,

collaboration on land tenure reform policies, legislation and local institutional

capacity-building of small farmers, indigenous people and women) for

improved access to land, water and other natural resources for rural

livelihoods.

66


(1) FAO is currently working in the elaboration of an Italy-funded project

focusing on food security and commercialization, to be implemented in

Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua y Honduras). It is

expected that the project will include a component by which support will be

provided to producer organizations in the countries concerned. The project is

expected to begin in 2009 and will last three years.

Near East

(1) FAORNE will design / implement communication for development

initiatives for smallholders to ensure that they are adequately involved in plans

to re-launch agriculture and that they are given the space to contribute with

their knowledge to the global efforts to restore natural resources and re-

establish sustainable farming systems.


(1) The FAO Capacity Development Strategy, developed by the FAO IDWG on

Capacity Building, will be released in early 2009 and it’s expected to include a

component on Institution Building of producer organizations and cooperatives.

(2) FAORNE will continue the implementation of the Borlaug Global Rust

Initiative activities in the Near East Region, including disease surveillance,

capacity building and varietal testing.

(3) The FAO Policy Assistance Division in possible collaboration with the

IDC/IDWG on Institution Building will continue the preparation of guidelines

of institutional diagnosis of the role of the Ministry of Agriculture within the

sector in order to facilitate the implementation of institutional profile

adjustments in line with the evolving role distribution of public and private

partners (French version will be available in February 2009)

(4) The FAO Trade and Markets Division will be involved in the delivery of the

following outputs relating institution building during the first half of 2009:

• a paper evaluating recently implemented input delivery programmes to

develop insights for informing the design of future delivery systems in the

context of higher food and fertilizer prices.

• an assessment of alternative mechanisms by which state support has been

used to leverage greater private sector involvement in poorly functioning

value chains. Under the broad heading of public-private partnerships, these

mechanisms are seen as critical to engaging required levels of private

sector engagement in key input and output market services to which

smallholders currently have limited access.

67

• a review of existing organizational forms of smallholder farmers’

associations and their contractual relationships with other market

participants considering the prevailing structure of sectoral value chains.


Africa

(1) Appui aux Organisations de Producteurs (OP) dans leurs Rôles et Partenariats en Afrique de l’Ouest Francophone (2008-2011). FAO is

currently developing a concept note for the second phase of this programme

focusing on knowledge management (guidelines, tools, best practices). The

second phase will potentially involve other partners (IFAD, WFP, Bioversity

International) and will cover Niger, Burkina, Senegal and Mali.

(2) Crop and Livestock Agricultural Diversification Programme (ADP) in Swaziland (GCP /SWA/016/EC - LTU: NRRR / 2009-2014). FAOSFS will

provide technical backstopping for the project whose main aim is to promote

GAP and build capacities of farmer associations for improved smallholder

production, and to develop marketing systems which lead to sustainable food

security and an improved quality of life for rural households.

(3) Linking Smallholder Producers to Markets through Agrofood Parks in

South Africa. FAO AGS division, in collaboration with the Technical

Cooperation department, is currently involved in the preparation of this TCP

project that is expected to start its implementation in 2009.

(4) Swaziland Agricultural Development Project (GCP /SWA/000/EC - LTU:

TCIP / 2009-2015). This project will provide urgently needed support to the

Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and related parastatal agencies to

enable them to effectively facilitate and encourage smallholder producers to

adapt their crop and livestock production practices. The assistance foresees

working with small producers, local entrepreneurs and agribusinesses to

develop improved linkages between smallholders and commercial markets,

using contributory grant funds for relevant investment and technical assistance

to enterprises. Beneficiary outreach will focus on groups (through FFS and

JFFLS for vulnerable children as well as specialist associations for women,

water users and marketing) as well as through the recruitment and participation

of lead farmers. Key stakeholders will include civil society (farmer

representatives and NGOs).

(5) Up Scaling Conservation Agriculture for Improved Food Security Using the

CAADP Framework (UP-CA) (OSRO/RAF/812/NOR - LTU: SFS / 2008-

2010). FAOSFS will continue to provide technical backstopping for this

project whose main aim is to promote GAP.

(6) A regional project (TCP/RAF/418/SPA) will start in 2009 in West Africa. The

aim of the project will be to revise and reformulate the extension services in

the three countries concerned - Senegal, Mali and Mauritania – where national

68

TCP projects will be developed. The project is still in its formulation phase,

under which field researches are being undertaken with the aim to identify

country priorities. It is expected that the role of farmers’ organizations in

extension services will be strengthened in each of the countries concerned.


(1) FAOSAP will be involved in the implementation of projects in the framework

of the ISFP in the Pacific countries, where NGOs will play a major part in the

distribution and ensuring that vulnerable and most affected farm households

receive assistance in the form of vegetable seeds and basic farm implements.

FAOSAP will also be involved in the Food Security and Sustainable

Livelihood Programme that will be implemented in partnership with regional

organizations and other UN agencies such as IFAD.

Near East

(1) FAORNE will continue:

a) to provide technical support to field projects in member countries in

areas of pesticide management and IPM.

b) to implement the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) project in Saudi

Arabia Capacity Building in Integrated Plant Health Management (UTF/SAU/025/SAU - LTU: AGPP / 2007-2012) that will continue to

involve farmers and private sector in focusing on alternatives to

pesticides in pest control.

c) to develop TCP projects to address strategic issues of member countries.

For example in Jordan, a proposal to assist the Ministry of Agriculture in

reviewing its agriculture-related policy measures and their compliance

with the WTO Agreements will be finalized. The TCP project would also

provide expert assistance in formulating a sound proposal on

reorganizing and strengthening the Jordanian extension system for

effective delivery of agricultural advisory services, for submission to

potential donors.

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(1) FAO Climate Change and Bio-energy Unit is currently involved in the

preparatory phase of a bio-energy programme that is expected to include

activities related to small-scale bio-energy initiatives in which producer

organizations involvement is foreseen.

c) Publications, issues papers and normative guidelines in support of producer organizations and cooperative development (preliminary list in progress)


Agricultural Workers and Employers’ Organizations: Training Resource Materials for Informal Employment (FAO, IIRR, IUF). This training tool will try to identify

and address areas of training needs for producers.

Communication Practices for Effective National Agricultural Research and Extension Systems: Supporting Small-scale Farmers to Achieve Food Security.

FAORNE will publish the proceedings of regional workshop held in Beirut in 2008.

FAORNE plans to publish more guidelines and leaflets in 2009-2010, mainly on

pesticide management and IPM targeting farmers and private sector. Also manuals of

traceability system for oranges, olives, and dates palm will be prepared.

Elaboration and Updating National Risks Maps on Possible HPAI – H5N1 Introduction Using AVE System (Assistance for the Epidemiological Surveillance of

Geo-referenced Avian Influenza) developed by FAO/SVO/ALA.

How Computerizing a Dairy Cooperative in Kenya has Affected the Livelihoods of its Members, by FAO(ESW)/Institute for Development Studies/University of Nairobi.

Manual on Communication and Knowledge Management

Manual on Biosecurity in the Different Systems of Poultry Production in Latin America and the Caribbean, by FAO/ALA.

Besides these:

a) FAORAP will develop country papers on policy issues relevant to the

development of agricultural co-operatives will be prepared for discussions at

an FAO-NEDAC workshop on policy issues for development of agricultural

co-operatives to be held in 2009. Workshop report with the recommendation

will be circulated to officials and agencies concerned with development of

agricultural co-operatives.

b) The Seeds and Plant Genetic Resources Service will publish three case studies

of successful farmers’ organizations and seed enterprises in India, Ivory Coast

and Brazil at the beginning of 2009. The main aim of these studies is to

document key factors for the sustainability of successful small seed enterprises

dealing with self or open pollinated crops. The case studies are expected to

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come up with critical elements needed to build the capacities of farmer

organizations for success The findings of the studies will be published at a

workshop to be held in FAO with the aim to discuss these and other success

stories.

d) Global and regional meetings to be held and networking activities to be supported

Africa:

(2) FAO Climate Change and Bioenergy Unit will hold training

session for representatives of the West African regional

farmers’ organization ROPPA at national and regional level,

around the issue of climate change and bioenergy in West

Africa. Date and place are still to be determined.

(3) FAOSFS will participate in regional and national CA Task

Force meetings. It will also continue its participation in the

worships and meetings for the EU - ACP project in Southern

Africa.


(1) In early 2009, FAOSEC) foresees the organization of a regional workshop in

Kazakhstan to strengthen fisherfolk organizations in Central Asia, for which

guidelines in support of establishment and operation of fisherfolk

associations/organizations are expected to be developed.

(2) FAORAP:

a) will organize a regional training workshop in the framework of the LADA

Programme (see above) to be held in April 2009.

b) will provide technical support to NEDAC’s plans to hold a technical session

with co-operative policy makers/leaders for discussion of policy issues

relevant to the development of farmers’ organizations/co-operatives in 2009

that will include discussions on the role of agricultural co-operatives on food

security and rural livelihoods in the context of natural disasters and climate

change.

Near East:

(1) In collaboration with the regional information management unit in FAORNE, a

network on pesticides and pesticide management in the near east region will be

established in 2009.

(2) FAOSNE will continue in 2009 its active participation in the “Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands Project” (LADA).

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(1) From 25 – 29 May 2009 a Conference will be hosted by FAO and held in

Bellagio (Italy) with representative of farmers’ organizations, CSOs and

NGOs, including highly marginalized groups (i.e., indigenous peoples,

pastoralists, fisherfolks, women, etc.) with the purpose to identify the

challenges and opportunities for the agricultural sector in the new World

context, which again gives priority to agriculture. The meeting will discuss

appropriate approaches, mechanisms and priority actions for FAO and farmers’

organizations/CSOs/NGOs to explore a new way forward and how to best

work together in the coming two years. The Conference is expected to be

important for defining the future relations between FAO and civil society.

e) Other relevant meetings and activities at national and regional level

Africa:

(1) FAOSFS:

a) will continue its support to FFS activities for the project Support to

integrated production and processing of cassava for increased food security

and income generation (TCP/ZAM/3103) in Zambia

b) will conduct studies for the activities to be supported under the EU

AAACP in Southern Africa.


(1) FAORAP:

a) will prepare study tours for co-operative policy makers/leaders through

NEDAC. Funding will be arranged in 2009 for visit to some selected

countries of the Asia region, which will help their capacity building for the

development of farmers’ organizations/co-operatives.

b) will prepare an research study to incorporate service delivery (access/farm

roads and markets) into the FAO MASSCOTE methodology (Mapping of

System Services and Canal), that will be the basis of an FAORAP study and a

publication in 2009.


(1) FAORLC is developing a training course for organizations associated to

COPROFAM - Coordinadora de Organizaciones de Productores

Familiares del MERCOSUR 20

. This regional farmers’ organization has 12

20 Argentina: FAA - Federación Agraria Argentina; Brasil: CONTAG - Confederación Nacional de Trabajadores en la Agricultura;

Paraguay: UAN - Unión Agrícola Nacional; Uruguay: CNFR - Comisión Nacional de Fomento Rural, ACU - Asociación de Colonos del

Uruguay; IPL - Intergremial de Productores de Leche; AMRU- Asociación de grupos de Mujeres Rurales del Uruguay; Chile: MUCECH –

72

national and regional member organizations from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil,

Chile, Peru, Paraguay and Uruguay, and its main aim is to have an impact in

the formulation and harmonization of public policies in order to strengthen

family farming in the MERCOSUR.

Near East

(1) FAORNE will:

a) organize a training workshop on implementation and application of

traceability system on food supply chains to be held in Amman (Jordan) in

January 2009 for member countries participants, representing the agro–

business industry, farmers’ cooperatives, producers, exporters, packers,

retailers, distributors, agro – food processors, researchers, extension staff

and government members.

b) continue training on topics including (to different degrees in different

countries and crops) IPPM, soil fertility management, agro-forestry, food

safety and quality, organic agriculture, farm management, and

commercialization and business skills. Beside this capacity building

component, the combined programmes also should include components on

policy reforms in which farmer organizations /associations will take part.

c) continue technical assistance to reform of research and extension services

by drawing on experiences from countries in the Near East region and

elsewhere.


A number of meetings will be organized by FAO in 2009 which will serve to lay

the ground of preparation of the World Food Summit (some dates still to be

confirmed):

a) FAO-UNCTAD meeting on Non-Distortionary Support to Agriculture

(Rome, 27-28 April)

b) FAO-OECD meeting on Public Finance for Agriculture (Paris, 5-6 May)

c) FAO meeting on Private Finance in Agriculture (UAE, 6-8 June – or with

UNCTAD in April in Qatar)

d) FAO Conference on How to Feed the World in 2050 (Rome, 12-14

October)

e) Committee on World Food Security (Rome, 14-17 October)

f) World Summit on Food Security (Rome, 14-16 November)

Movimiento Unitario Campesino y Etnias de CHILE; La Voz del Campo – Confederación Nacional de la Agricultura Familiar; Bolivia: CIOEC - Coordinadora de Integración de Organizaciones Económicas Campesinas; Perú: CCP - Confederación Campesina del Perú

2008 fao report to copac

Documents