The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United
Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United
Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and
improve nutrition and food security
DEFINITION
In the late 19th and early 20th century American
agriculturalist and activist David Lubin worked towards
establishing an international organization for food and
agriculture
June 1905, ROME
HISTORY
Creation of the International Institute of
Agriculture (IIA)
WORLD WAR
II
The end of IIA
16 October 1945, Quebec
Establishment of FAO
HISTORY
16 October to 1 November 1945
The First Session of the FAO
Conference
1948
FAO begins work in India
1951
Moves HQ to
Rome, Italy
HISTORY
Post 1960s
Focus on efforts to develop high-yield strains of grain,
eliminate protein deficiency, promote rural employment,
and increase agricultural exports
”LET THERE BE
BREAD”
MOTTO FIAT PANIS
FIAT PANIS
MOTTO
ST
RU HEAD QUARTERS
CT
UR REGIONAL OFFICES
E
SUB REGIONAL OFFICES
LAISION OFFICES
D E PA R T M E N T S
1. Agriculture and Consumer Protection
2. Climate
3. Biodiversity
ST
RU
4. Land and Water Department
CT
UR
5. Economic and Social Development
E 6. Fisheries and Aquaculture
7. Forestry
8. Corporate Services and Technical
Cooperation and Programme Management
DIRECTOR GENERAL
Qu Dongyu
Appointed as Director General on
1 August 2019
MEMBER
NATIONS
• Current number of Member nations: 195
• Every 2 years, a Conference of Member Nations takes place.
• The conference elects a council of 49 member states that acts as
the Governing Body.
• The Director General heads the agency.
• During the conference:
1. The work carried out by the organization in the past 2
years is reviewed
2. The budget for the next 2 years is approved
PURPOSE
To help countries to modernize, improve
agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices while
also ensuring good nutrition and food security
Promote and recommend action with respect to:
Research relating to food, nutrition and agriculture
Educate and improve public knowledge on nutrition
Conservation of natural resources
Adopt improved methods of agriculture
Adoption of international policies on agricultural commodity arrangements
Deal with food and agricultural emergencies
FUNCTION
An international forum for debate on food and agriculture issues
Food Security
Information for Agriculture
Research and Technical Info
Advice to Governments
Development and Emergency Assistance
ACTIVITIES
FAO and INDIA
NDIA
Technical support rather than monetary aid
An important knowledge partner, assisting the country in informed decision making
Achievements:
Significant food grain production increase from 50 million tons in 1950 to 257 million tons in 2014 – 15
World’s largest milk producer – 130 million tons
Second in global aquaculture
1948 – Primary Goal – To increase food production in India
Presently – Functions beyond just food production and includes:
o Access to food and nutrition
o Rural development
o Sustainable agriculture
Agenda and Three Year Action Agenda.
FAO
To function successfully, the organization has set priorities in its Seven Year National Development
The Seven year Development Agenda has 4 priorities with the objective
to:
o Increase farmer income by two fold
o Maximise efficiency and ensure equity in sustainable
manner
The Priorities
FAO
Priority 1: Sustainable and improved agricultural
productivity and increased farm incomes
Priority 2: Stronger food and nutrition security systems
Priority 3: Effective natural resource management,
community development and assistance in transboundary
cooperation
Priority 4: Enhanced social inclusion, improved skills and
employment opportunity in the agriculture sectors
