Report of the second consultation of the Ad Hoc expert group on improving nutrition of the rural poor in Asia and the Far East, March 27-31, 1978
Anonymous
FAO Regular Programme FAC/RAFE (RAFE 31): 87
1978
Document Number: 205861
The field of study of the consultation was both broadly based on national programmes to eliminate poverty and malnutrition in the region and also focused on the pilot projects of member consultants. Papers presented on the former are attached to this report, which deals mainly with the pragmatic problems associated with the latter programmes planned to deliver the basic package of services listed in the summary of the report of the initial consultation. (Report No. RAFE 30). In the discussion following the delivery of the papers the following points were agreed unanimously: (1) Malnutrition is directly related to poverty and ignorance, and hence all economic and social activity is relevant to nutritional improvement of the poor. Thus, nutritional implications in national planning and policy formulation must be taken into account: this applies to the balance between food crops and cash crops, between food imports and exports, etc. At the village level all relevant activities must be coordinated, especially those involving rural development. Since better nutrition is an objective rather than merely a service it is recommended that all programmes directed at the rural poor should be evaluated in terms of improved nutritional status. Improved nutrition should be regarded as of prime importance as an indicator of a better quality of life. (2) It was considered that the appropriate parent organization for the pilot projects should be, for example, those universities and other appropriate institutions which are multi-disciplinary in character and can provide teams of experts in a wide range of subjects relevant to a broad approach to nutritional problems. In the universities, for instance, the work can be done by students and graduates as part of their research projects which would benefit both them and the community: it would also help orientate the teaching and research programmes towards the needs of the rural community. (3) The consultation recognized the value of study tours within the region because it was felt that exchange of information in the field had great practical value. However, it was considered appropriate that the provision of funds for these should be included in the project documents/applications. The possibility of third country/agency financing through the aegis of FAO should also be explored. (4) The consultation reiterated its earlier recommendation to constitute an NORP (ad hoc inter-governmental committee for improving the Nutrition of the Rural Poor). The recommendation to establish a Trust Fund in accordance with the initial consultation was also endorsed: it was additionally agreed that the Regional Office examine the possibility of obtaining local funds in local currency on the precedence of APHCA.