MAJOR PROGRAMME 2.5: CONTRIBUTIONS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL PROGRAMME THRUSTS

421.      Addressing sustainable development imperatives becomes exceedingly challenging in a context of rapid globalization, persistent poverty and social inequities, evolving production and consumption patterns, climatic and environmental change, and altered roles of public and private institutions. Major Programme 2.5 promotes sustainable development concepts, methods and practices to ensure the environmental, social and economic well-being of rural people, especially the poor. It plays a lead role in follow-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) and other conferences and is the corporate focal point for sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD), education, agro-meteorology and climate change, biodiversity, desertification, bio-energy, small island developing states and the multi-lateral environmental agreements. It supports the UN System Network for Food Security and Rural Development, a country-level initiative in follow-up to the World Food Summit (WFS) and World Food Summit: five years later (WFS:fyl).

422.      The operational strategy is two-fold: a) to mainstream important aspects of sustainable development within FAO through joint activities of various units; and b) to support countries themselves in mainstreaming sustainable development dimensions in their policies and programmes. Major Programme 2.5 provides chairpersons for four, and secretariats for seven of the eighteen PAIAs.

423.      Three of the constituent programmes (i.e. 2.5.1, 2.5.2 and 2.5.3) broadly correspond to critical, complementary dimensions of sustainable development, i.e. people, institutions and environment. They operate by addressing methodologies, capacity-building and information dissemination, and mobilize alliances and partnerships for improving policies and programmes, especially at country level.

424.      Their work will be complemented, at the Major Programme level, with strategic analysis and better understanding of the dynamic trends in the external environment and emerging issues affecting sustainable development. This will be achieved through state-of-the-art analyses of changes and impacts and dialogue with major stakeholders to improve awareness and to advocate the implementation of recommended policies and practices. Given the importance of research for sustainable development, Major Programme 2.5 hosts the secretariats of the CGIAR Science Council and the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR).

425.      The fourth Programme 2.5.6 coordinates, helps to formulate and monitors the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS). The SPFS has been implemented in 75 countries through pilot activities. It encourages farmers to test simple and affordable technologies and institutional models that can bring about sustainable increases in farm output and incomes and reduce seasonal and inter-annual variability in production and consumption. It also supports measures to broaden access to food. The programme emphasizes national ownership and the engagement of civil society and promotes sharing of experience among developing countries through South-South Cooperation. Increasingly, support for the SPFS will be broadened to the design and implementation of national food security programmes, working with what is expected to be a growing number of countries strongly committed to hunger eradication, in partnership with the members of the International Alliance Against Hunger (IAAH).

PROGRAMME 2.5.1: RESEARCH, NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

Prog. Entity	Time Frame	Title	PWB 2004-05	MTP 2006-07	MTP 2008-09	MTP 2010-11	MTP Total
251A1	2002-2005	Integrated Use of Information for Sustainable Development	2,245	-	-	-	-
251A2	2002-2005	Youth in Agriculture, Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods	893	-	-	-	-
251A3	2002-2005	Partnerships for Improving Application of Biotechnology in Agriculture	821	-	-	-	-
251A4	2002-2005	Integrated Development and Dissemination of Agricultural Knowledge and Technology for Food Security and Sustainable Development	3,022	-	-	-	-
251A5	2002-2005	Secretariat of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR)	92	-	-	-	-
251A6	2002-2007	Support to Environmental Agreements and Promotion of Integrated Environmental Planning and Management	1,476	1,476	-	-	1,476
251A7	2006-2011	Education for Rural People	-	2,131	2,131	2,131	6,393
251A8	2006-2011	Environmental Information and Decision Support Systems	-	1,692	1,692	1,692	5,076
251A9	2006-2011	Strengthening research systems and biotechnology applications	-	1,842	1,842	1,842	5,526
251P1	Continuing	Environmental Geo-Information Infrastructure and Services	1,370	1,370	1,370	1,370	4,110
251P3	Continuing	Information and Communication Technologies in Support of Agricultural Research, Extension and Education Systems	1,857	2,501	2,501	2,501	7,503
251P4(1)	Continuing	Secretariat of the CGIAR Science Council	5,367	6,500	6,500	6,500	19,500
251S1	Continuing	Technical Support Services to Member Nations, the Field Programme, and Other Related Activities	3,103	2,758	2,758	2,758	8,274
Programme Reserve			-		1,476	1,476
Total Programme of Work			20,246	20,270	20,270	20,270	60,810
Less External Income			4,529	5,657	5,657	5,657	16,971
Net Appropriation			15,717	14,613	14,613	14,613	43,839
Real Growth				-	-	-	-
Net Appropriation with Real Growth				14,613	14,613	14,613	43,839
Growth in Net Appropriation (Percentage)				0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
(1) - Although the title of the entity has changed, there has been no substantive change in its formulation

426.      The Programme will undergo a structural change from addressing a broad research, extension, training and environment agenda to a prime focus on the "environment" component of sustainable development. There will also be close links to the "institutions and policy" component of sustainable development in science and research. To this effect, three new programme entities are to be created and one somewhat modified, whilst five programme entities will be completed and pertinent activities transferred under other entities. This will leave the Programme with eight compared to ten programme entities in the previous MTP. This change also takes account of the impact of recent resource reductions.

427.      The Programme will be the integrative focal point for: key issues in the agriculture-environment interface; energy; monitoring and assessment of natural resources; agro-meteorology and the promotion of geo-spatial technologies. Extension is now incorporated in a joint programme entity under Programme 2.5.3, whilst work on education for rural people will be carried out in close collaboration with Programme 2.5.2. The link to science and research is ensured by assisting national agricultural research systems to improve access to information, adopt and develop appropriate technologies and biotechnology applications. The programme will also facilitate their participation in regional and international fora, thus promoting the incorporation of sustainable development issues in national research agendas. The Programme hosts the Secretariat of the Global Forum on Agricultural Research (GFAR) and closely co-operates with the CGIAR, in particular with its Science Council Secretariat, which is also hosted by FAO.

428.      The three new entities 251A7, 251A8 and 251A9 are detailed below. Entities to terminate by end-2005 are 251A1, 251A2, 251A3 and 251A4. Entity 251A5, GFAR Secretariat can also be removed from the list, as it largely operates on the basis of extra-budgetary funding, while the small Regular Programme contribution hitherto housed there is moved to the new entity 251A9.

Entity

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

251A6

251A7

251A8

251A9

251P1

251P3

251P4

251S1

Legend:

less than US$ 750,000

US$ 750,000 to US$ 2 million

more than US$ 2 million

251A7: Education for Rural People

Development problem to be addressed:

429.      Illiteracy is strongly correlated to poverty and hunger and is mainly a rural phenomenon which hinders rural development, threatens productivity and health and limits the opportunities to improve livelihoods. The weaknesses of basic education services in rural areas are related to the fact that many countries still lack capacities to formulate policies and the experience needed to plan and deliver effective services for rural people. Increased demand for policy advice and technical assistance in such areas is likely to stem from the lead role assigned to FAO by the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD, Johannesburg 2002) regarding the Education for Rural People (ERP) initiative.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

430.      Policies and programmes to increase access to relevant and adequate basic educational services in rural areas will directly and positively contribute to improve productivity, food security and livelihoods of rural people. To ensure managerial efficiency, flexibility and visibility to the ERP initiative, the new entity will: mainstream Education for Rural People (ERP) within national rural development and education plans; mobilize the political will and build the capacity of policy makers and managers within ministries of agriculture and of education and youth to increase access to quality basic education services for rural people; and network with civil society, UN agencies and other multi- and bilateral organizations in fostering ERP.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

431.      Rural people with special emphasis on women and girls living in developing countries and countries in transition. Ministries of Agriculture and Education will also benefit in their capacity to plan and manage basic education services.

Objective(s)

432.      Appropriate national policies and strategies aimed at strengthening basic education services for rural people.

Major Output(s)

• Capacity building, policies and advocacy of Education for Rural People (ERP)
• Consolidation of ERP Partnerships as follow-up to WSSD
• Support to national youth development for food security

Indicator(s)

• Number of countries taking specific measures to foster ERP as part of their rural development and education plans and strategies
• Number of members of the ERP partnership initiative

251A8: Environmental Information and Decision Support Systems

Development problem to be addressed:

433.      Limited access to reliable environmental and natural resource data and tools to analyze and manage this information constrains the ability of national planners, decision makers and scientists to assess environmental conditions and anticipate significant emerging trends at local, national and regional levels. Many developing countries lack capacity to use environmental information management systems and related decision support tools. This has a negative impact on their national development policies and on agriculture sector development.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

434.      Environmental decision support information and tools are necessary for improved land use planning and sustainable agricultural production. Improved quality of, and access to information (e.g. on gender, demography, ecosystem change, land quality issues, water availability, biodiversity, climate change) facilitates assessment, analysis, and decision making in rural development, and consequently supports a dynamic agricultural development process. The entity is geared to provide these tools.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

435.      Decision makers in ministries of agriculture, environment, offices of land use planning and rural development, early warning and disaster preparedness organizations.

Objective(s)

436.      Improved access to reliable environmental and natural resource data and tools to assess environmental conditions and anticipate significant emerging trends; increased capacity to use environmental information management systems and related decision support tools.

Major Output(s)

• Geo-spatial information management systems and analytical tools
• Agrometeorology, remote sensing, GIS and land cover databases

Indicator(s)

• National and regional institutions that use environmental and natural resource information in agriculture and land use planning, due to FAO's support and capacity building efforts

251A9: Strengthening research systems and biotechnology applications

Development problem to be addressed:

437.      Agricultural research systems need to become more efficient and more responsive to the changing external environment to support effectively national agricultural development policies. Capacity to access, assess, adapt and disseminate technologies needs to be strengthened.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

438.      The entity will provide technical assistance to strengthen capacities of developing countries in: generating, accessing, adapting, disseminating and promoting the use of technologies; developing adequate biosafety frameworks; taking advantage of advances in biotechnology in agriculture. Capacities in biosafety of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the harmonization of regulatory frameworks will also be supported. A wider knowledge base on policy issues related to biotechnology and tools for public awareness and communication in biotechnology will be developed.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

439.      Producers and consumers of food and agricultural products, due to improved nutrition and food safety and reduced environmental impact.

Objective(s)

440.      Strengthened national capacities for formulation and implementation of research and technology development policies; priority setting in the agricultural research agendas of developing countries.

Major Output(s)

• Development of national and regional capacities for biosafety of GMOs
• Collection, analysis and dissemination of information relevant for policy formulation and decision-making in biotechnology
• Public awareness and communication in biotechnology
• Mechanisms and tools in support of research and technology development
• Support to international agricultural research systems, fora and networks

Indicator(s)

• Countries with enhanced capacity for formulating and implementing policies for research, technology development, assessment and dissemination.
• Countries with heightened capacity in biosafety and harmonization of regulatory frameworks

PROGRAMME 2.5.2: GENDER AND POPULATION

Prog. Entity	Time Frame	Title	PWB 2004-05	MTP 2006-07	MTP 2008-09	MTP 2010-11	MTP Total
252A3	2002-2007	Gender and Natural Resources Management	1,197	1,297	-	-	1,297
252A4	2004-2009	Analysis and Mitigation of the Impact of HIV/AIDS on Food Security and Rural Development	1,127	1,074	1,074	-	2,148
252P1(1)	Continuing	Promotion of Gender and Population issues, especially in Policies, Information and Agricultural Statistics	2,171	2,417	2,417	2,417	7,251
252S1	Continuing	Technical Support to Member Nations and the Field Programme	1,097	1,278	1,278	1,278	3,834
Programme Reserve			-		1,297	2,371
Total Programme of Work			5,592	6,066	6,066	6,066	18,198
Less External Income			411	264	264	264	792
Net Appropriation			5,181	5,802	5,802	5,802	17,406
Real Growth				750	1,500	2,250	4,500
Net Appropriation with Real Growth				6,552	7,302	8,052	21,906
Growth in Net Appropriation (Percentage)				12.9%	25.9%	38.8%	25.9%
(1) - Although the title of the entity has changed, there has been no substantive change in its formulation

441.      The programme focuses on policy advice, decision-support tools, technical assistance and capacity building in the areas of gender equality and population, including HIV/AIDS, particularly as relates to the elimination of rural poverty and food insecurity. It also develops tools and methodologies to integrate these dimensions into agriculture-related censuses and surveys, policies, legislation, programmes and projects for sustainable rural livelihoods and agricultural and rural development. The programme supports gender mainstreaming throughout the Organization, including the Chair and Secretariat of the related PAIA, for which the FAO Gender and Development Plan of Action is the main policy framework. In addition, it is corporate focal point for rural ageing and HIV/AIDS (and will support the related new PAIA). No change is made to the programme structure over the previous MTP.

Entity

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

252A3

252A4

252P1

252S1

Legend:

less than US$ 750,000

US$ 750,000 to US$ 2 million

more than US$ 2 million

Real Growth Proposal

The additional resources would be dedicated to analytical work in order to generate more reliable quantitative and qualitative evidence of the linkages between HIV/AIDS and food security and rural livelihood strategies. They would facilitate clear understanding of the impact of HIV/AIDS and its dynamics over time. This enhanced understanding would in turn contribute to strengthening the capacity of governmental and non-governmental institutions working on HIV/AIDS and rural development. The remainder of the increase would be applied to the production and dissemination of training materials, methodologies and approaches.

PROGRAMME 2.5.3: RURAL DEVELOPMENT

Prog. Entity	Time Frame	Title	PWB 2004-05	MTP 2006-07	MTP 2008-09	MTP 2010-11	MTP Total
253A1	2002-2005	Access 21: Land Tenure Institution Building for Food Security and Sustainable Rural Development	1,756	-	-	-	-
253A2(1)	2002-2005	Improved Rural Institutions and Services to Promote Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development and Enhance Livelihoods	2,109	-	-	-	-
253A4(1)	2002-2005	Participatory Approaches and Methods to Support Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development to Enhance Livelihoods and Food Security	1,012	-	-	-	-
253A5	2006-2011	Sustainable and affordable systems, including security of tenure, for access to land and other natural resources	-	1,903	1,903	1,903	5,709
253A6	2006-2011	Enhanced Rural Institutions, Extension and Participatory Processes for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD)	-	3,121	3,121	3,121	9,363
253P1	Continuing	Management and Support to the UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security	260	260	260	260	780
253S1	Continuing	Technical Support Services on Participatory Approaches, Institutional Development and Access to Land Resources	2,892	2,860	2,860	2,860	8,580
Total Programme of Work			8,029	8,144	8,144	8,144	24,432
Less External Income			150	150	150	150	450
Net Appropriation			7,879	7,994	7,994	7,994	23,982
Real Growth				750	1,500	2,250	4,500
Net Appropriation with Real Growth				8,744	9,494	10,244	28,482
Growth in Net Appropriation (Percentage)				9.4%	18.8%	28.1%	18.8%
(1) - Although the title of the entity has changed, there has been no substantive change in its formulation

442.      The programme assists countries to improve secure access to land by the rural poor, including women and other disadvantaged groups, and to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD) through the strengthening of rural institutions and participatory processes. For the 2006-11 period, it is being restructured with entity 253A5 to replace the previous 253A1 which is to end in 2005. This entity will provide tools and best practices for improved access to land and enhanced land tenure security for the rural poor. New entity 253A6 will also build on previous entities 253A2, 253A4 and part of 251A4. It will provide support to policies and practices for SARD and sustainable livelihoods through strengthening rural institutions and national extension systems, and promoting linkages between research and extension, as well as between public, private and producer organizations. The programme also includes the Secretariat of the UN System Network on Rural Development and Food Security, and its national thematic groups.

Entity

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

253A5

253A6

253P1

253S1

Legend:

less than US$ 750,000

US$ 750,000 to US$ 2 million

more than US$ 2 million

Real Growth Proposal

The Real Growth proposal would build capacities of governmental decision makers in policies and best practices for SARD. An expanded training initiative would be launched, covering: analysis of the major challenges and emerging trends affecting sustainable development; exposition to relevant national models and international regulatory and legislatory frameworks which support SARD policies; practical training in prioritization/policy refinements; and the skills required for resource mobilization for SARD.

253A5: Sustainable and affordable systems, including security of tenure, for access to land and other natural resources

Development problem to be addressed:

443.      Systems to provide access to land and other natural resources and land tenure security in many countries are not reaching the rural poor. Many approaches used in development projects are not sustainable after their completion. The absence of sustainable, affordable systems of land tenure makes it difficult for the rural poor to accumulate assets, and to ensure household security.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

444.      The entity will assist countries to put in place effective systems of access to land and other natural resources, and land tenure security.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

445.      The rural poor, both men and women.

Objective(s)

446.      Enhanced functioning of national systems to provide access to land and other natural resources, and increased land tenure security for the rural poor.

Major Output(s)

• Policy materials on sustainable, affordable approaches for access to land and other natural resources
• Methodologies for national arrangements to provide improved land tenure security

Indicator(s)

• Number of countries considering improvements to systems of access to land and natural resources and land tenure security, based on FAO's advice.

253A6: Enhanced Rural Institutions, Extension and Participatory Processes for Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD)

Development problem to be addressed:

447.      Successful SARD needs to overcome a combination of negative factors: lack of responsiveness to producer and other community-based organizations by public service providers; limited use of modern management methods and entrepreneurial approaches by producer organizations; limited effectiveness of programmes in promoting sustainable livelihoods and food security due to insufficient and often incorrect use of participatory approaches by government and NGO staff; weakness of national rural extension services and often limited access of clients to these services, leading to limited adoption of improved approaches and technologies; vulnerability of rural populations to natural and man-made shocks, including HIV/AIDS; difficulty for producer and community-based organizations to influence policy choices regarding their livelihood strategies.

Proposed contribution to problem resolution:

448.      Effective policies and institutions related to service delivery and the use of participatory approaches will be promoted. This should lead to better access to resources and services, thus improved food security and more sustainable livelihoods.

Intended end beneficiaries and benefits:

449.      Poor farmers and other rural producers will benefit from better service provision by rural institutions, including those related to extension, which would also allow them to have their needs and aspirations reflected in local development projects and programmes. Producer organizations will be more efficiently managed and better positioned to take advantage of market opportunities.

Objective(s)

450.      Enhanced policies and institutions and capacity for the delivery of services; better use of participatory approaches in relation to rural people's livelihoods.

Major Output(s)

• Support to policies and practices to strengthen the implementation of Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) and Sustainable Livelihoods
• Support to policies, institutions and practices to strengthen national extension systems
• Strengthening of rural institutions, including public, producer and community-based organizations
• Promotion of effective linkages among research-extension, private-public sectors and farmer organizations
• Strengthening of institutional capacities to reduce rural people's vulnerability to natural, economic and political shocks
• Strengthening of extension capacity for the prevention and mitigation of HIV/AIDS
• Inter-disciplinary application of participatory approaches and methods for sustainable rural livelihoods

Indicator(s)

• Extent of use of the people-centred approach in FAO's substantive activities
• Number of local institutions with improved capacity to prevent, manage and respond to disaster risks
• Training programmes and materials and modules developed and incorporated in extension programmes targeting both institutional personnel and farmer beneficiaries
• Use of related Web site
• Number of countries where approaches and tools from this entity were tested and adopted

PROGRAMME 2.5.6: FOOD PRODUCTION IN SUPPORT OF FOOD SECURITY IN LIFDCS

Prog. Entity	Time Frame	Title	PWB 2004-05	MTP 2006-07	MTP 2008-09	MTP 2010-11	MTP Total
256P1	Continuing	Management and Coordination	2,140	2,140	2,140	2,140	6,420
256P2	Continuing	SPFS Formulation	1,015	1,015	1,015	1,015	3,045
256P3	Continuing	SPFS Implementation	8,267	8,267	8,267	8,267	24,801
Total Programme of Work			11,422	11,422	11,422	11,422	34,266
Less External Income			-	-	-	-	-
Net Appropriation			11,422	11,422	11,422	11,422	34,266
Real Growth				400	1,400	2,400	4,200
Net Appropriation with Real Growth				11,822	12,822	13,822	38,466
Growth in Net Appropriation (Percentage)				3.5%	12.3%	21.0%	12.3%

451.      No change is made to the structure in terms of the three well-established entities covering management, formulation and implementation of the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) (in the latter two cases, as funded by the central provision in the Programme of Work and Budget). As recalled above, support to countries through the SPFS will be broadened to encompass national food security programmes, particularly in the context of renewed commitment to hunger eradication embodied in the International Alliance Against Hunger (IAAH).

Entity

A1

A2

A3

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

E1

E2

E3

256P1

256P2

256P3

Legend:

less than US$ 750,000

US$ 750,000 to US$ 2 million

more than US$ 2 million

Real Growth Proposal

The increased resources would benefit both formulation (256P2) and implementation (256P3) of the SPFS. They will in particular enable the responsible service, TCOS, to formulate additional South-South Cooperation components of SPFS projects, and augment the capacity of the Regular Programme provision to fund project activities at country level.