Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was founded in 1945, as an intergovernmental organization, with the mandate to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity, and to better the condition of rural populations.

Today, FAO is one of the largest specialized agencies in the United Nations system and the lead agency for agriculture, livestock, forestry, fisheries and rural development as well issues related to water, land, biodiversity and natural resources. FAO has 183 member countries plus one member organization, the European Union.

Objectives

Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty and hunger by promoting agricultural development, improved nutrition and the pursuit of food security - defined as the access of all people at all times to the food they need for an active and healthy life.

A specific priority of the Organization is encouraging sustainable agriculture and rural development, a long-term strategy for increasing food production and food security while sustainably conserving and managing natural resources. The aim is to meet the needs of both present and future generations by promoting development that is environmental friendly, technically appropriate, economically viable and socially acceptable. 
 

Mandate:

In the field of development assistance, FAO supports developing countries through a wide range of technical assistance projects. The Organization encourages an integrated approach, with environmental, social and economic considerations included in the formulation of developmental projects and for programmes.

In the field of information, FAO collects, analyses, interprets and disseminates data and documentation relating to nutrition, food, agriculture, livestock, forestry and fisheries. The Organization serves as a clearing-house, providing farmers, scientists, government planners, traders and non-governmental organizations with the information they need to make rational decisions on planning, investment, marketing, research and training.

FAO also provides independent advice on agricultural policy and planning, as well as on the administrative and legal structures needed for development. The organization also advises on national strategies for rural development, food security and poverty alleviation.

Moreover, FAO represent a neutral forum where all nations can meet to discuss and formulate policy on major food and agriculture issues. FAO approves international standards and helps in defining the framework for international conventions and agreements. It also hosts major conferences, technical meetings and experts’ consultations.

Programmes:

In early 90’s FAO has launched special activities and programmes to mobilize governments, international organizations and all sectors of civil society in a coordinated campaign to eradicate hunger and to turn the slogan “Food for All” into a reality.

The Special Programme for Food Security, launched in 1994, targets the low-income food-deficit countries (LIFDCs) that are home to the vast majority of the world’s chronically undernourished people. During a pilot phase of the programme, farmers choose and demonstrate selected technologies. Successful strategies are then made widely available during an expansion phase.

TeleFood, an annual campaign of broadcasts, concerts and other events, is dedicated to “helping the hungry help themselves”. Money raised through TeleFood pays for small, sustainable agriculture, fisheries and livestock projects, supporting poor families in self-producing their food requirements. Since its inception in 1997, more than 800 projects have been approved.

Governing bodies:

FAO is governed by the Conference of member nations, which meets every two years to review the work carried out by the Organization and approve a Programme of Work and Budget for the next biennium.

The Conference elects a Council of 49 Member Nations to act as an interim governing body. Members serve for three-year rotating terms.

FAO is composed of eight departments, namely Human, Financial and Physical resources, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Economic and Social Development, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Forestry, Knowledge and Communication, Natural resources Management and Environment, and Technical Cooperation. In addition, the FAO structure includes also the office of Director General and Regional, Subregional and Liaison Offices.

Funding:

Organization's funding consists of two broad lines: the Regular Programme and the Field Programme. The Regular Programme covers internal operations, including support for fieldwork, advice to governments on policy and planning, and a wide range of development projects. It is financed by member countries, who contribute according to levels set by the Conference. For the biennium 2000-2001, the Conference approved a budget of US$650 million. The Field Programme implements FAO's development strategies, providing assistance mainly through projects that are usually undertaken in cooperation with national governments and other agencies. In 1999, approximately 77% of Field Programme finance came from national trust funds and 9% from the United Nations Development Programme. FAO contributes for about 13% through its Technical Cooperation Programme and 1% through its Special Programme for Food Security, both drawn from the Regular Programme budget.

FAO Role in Syria:

The FAO Representation in Syria was established in 1979 to assist in developing the food and agriculture sector in a way that meets Syria long term plans in human and economic development. In fact, FAO assistance is provided upon official Government requests in fields that fall within FAO mandate (agricultural policies and production, irrigation, food security, food legislation, natural resources conservation and environment). The assistance is delivered using funds made available by the donor community and/ or funds from the Organization Regular Programme. However, there is high potentials for field programme development under UTF arrangements using Government finance.

General Overview of FAO’s Projects:

1. Current Portfolio
   Focus areas of FAO current assistance are the following:
   
   
   • Institutional strengthening of the Ministry of Agriculture through enhancing the operational capacity of the National Agriculture Policy Center to formulate, analyze and monitor agricultural policies in a market oriented economy;
   • Assisting the Government initiative to establish a legal framework for the development of organic agriculture farming system in Syria;
   • Preparing the local government institutions and communities for taking over the responsibilities of forest fire management. Communities and local institutions will play the principle role in decision making to develop appropriate techniques for a suitable use of forest and their maintenance on sustainable basis;
   • Assisting Government efforts for introducing new techniques on water harvesting and use the available local knowledge and experiences in proposing adequate scheme. The FAO technical assistance aims at improving farm water management by promoting the adoption of appropriate irrigation technologies able to sustain farmer’s income in the targeted water deficit areas (southern region). The project also supports intensification and diversification of the irrigated farming systems so to promote rural development;
   • Supporting the Government initiative to formulate a national forest policy and to promote the institutional development of the Forestry Directorate;
   • Enhancing the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture on land use planning using GIS and remote sensing techniques;
   • Encouraging farmers in adopting IPM technologies for producing clean products through the development of Farmers Field Schools;
   • Strengthening coordination network for the control and prevention of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the Near East;
   • Emergency assistance for the control and prevention of Avian influenza in the Middle East and North Africa;
   • In the framework of the SPFS programme, Telefood funded projects, also provide agricultural inputs to help people in producing their own food needs. The establishment of new models to promote and develop income generating activities is one of the main objectives. These projects focus on those segments of the population, which are experiencing the harshest living conditions in disadvantageous rural areas.
   
   
   
2. Future Portfolio
   In the forthcoming future, FAO will concentrate its efforts in the following fields of expertise:
   
   
   • Developing an Early Warning System for draught mitigation in the marginalized area in Syria et specifically in the Badia region;
   • Developing dairy sector and milk processing in Al-Ghab area through the establishment of small processing units;
   • Assisting the Government initiative to formulate a National Food Security Programme (NFSP);
   • Supporting the establishment of a “Special Economic Zone” (Agropolis) in Al-Ghab area;
   • Assisting the Ministry of Agriculture in formulating a National Med-Term Priorities Framework (NMTPF);
   • Providing assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture in conducting studies and formulating project documents on pr
   • Creating an appropriate environment for encouraging private sector investment in agriculture production.

Food and Agriculture Organization of The United Nations
Mezzeh, East Villas, Al-Farabi St., No 36 Damascus, Syria P.O.Box: 10709 Telephone: +963 11 6121145/6 Fax: +963 11 6121140 Email: fao-syr@fao.org