Distr.
LIMITED
ECA/MULPOC/YAOUNDE/V/
ECA/JEFADA^/1-4 30 November 1981 Originals ENGLISH
ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA
Multinational Programming and Operational Centre for Central Africa (Yaounde MULPOC) Fifth Meeting cf the Committee of Experts
and Fif.th Meeting of the Council of Ministers
Meeting of the Committee of Expertss 8-10 March 1982 Meeting of the Council of Ministerss 11-13 March 1982 Yaounde (United Republic of Cameroon)
FOOD AMD AGRICULTURE (YAOUNDE MULPOC)
ECA/MULPOC/YAOUHDE/V/
ECA/JEFAD/YM/1-4
CONTENTS
Page
Regional Food Plan for Africa (AFPLAN)
Follow-up of AFPLAN/LPA and AFPLAN Subregional Report Central Africa (Yaounde MULPOC Subregion5
(Activities 9211.07 and 9211.12) 1-3
Promotion of Multinational Co-operation Among Research Institutions
(Activity 9.212,01 - iii) 4-5
Assistance to Equatorial Guinea
(Activity 9 .212.01 - a) 6-7
Forest Resources Development and Conservation
(Activity 9.212*02) 8-10
^
Regional Food Plan for Africa(AFPLAM)
FOLLOW-UP OF AFPLAN/LPA A?-JD AFPLAfJ SUSRESIOBAL REPORT CENTRAL" AFRICA (YAOU^nE -^LPOC: S'lBftESION
(Activities ??!!.07 and 9211-12)
1.1.1. In view of the deteriorating food situation in Africa which lead to the Freetown Declaration of the FAO.°ernonal Conference of Ministers of, Agriculture in 197S the Reqional Food Plan"(AFPLVi) was drawn up jointly by FAO and.L'CAand adopted.by the FAO.ftenional Conference of Ministers of
Agriculture,™ Arusjba in 1970. The Arush§ Conference,.recommended that action should be taken at two levels: (i) at the national level, the preparation and implementation of appropriate noiicies and projects for food self-sufficiency by Governments^ and . (ii) at the intergovernmental levels joint ventures
for increased^fQod production and intra-subrenional and regional .trade..
''.1.2. The Fifth EC1 Conference of Ministers in Rabat in 'larch 1979 appealed to member States to effectively .implement the Psrtional Food Plan for Africa and
urned African Governments to give full .'support to suhrenional and^ regional internovern^entai organizations in their efforts to increase food production and trade.ampno African countries.. ■
1.1.3. The African Heads of State who met for their first. Economic Summit in Lagos in April 19309 recommended * in their Laoos Plan of Action "(LPA)9 nieasures for food development in the key areas'- reduction of food losses.,, food.security■
and increase in food production - both at the national and intergovernmental levels. ...
1.1.4. The ahove resolutions called, on the,£C/\ to assist in their implementation.
1.1.5. In order to assist food develon&ent at the subreqionai and interqovernmental level 3 the ECA undertook an evaluation of the ongoing- proqramines and projects of the subreqional and regional intergovernmental organizations with" a view to help in reorienting them if necessary and to lay .down, guidelines for new .aroqrasisies and projects inv.o'ly.irKj. finanqiaV and technical .assistance. Results of the ECA undertaking 'v/ere presented in r? AFPLAr! Subrecjional Reports, one for each HULPOC area. The results were also submitted in a summary report to the Sixth ECA Conference of "Mnisters in Addis Ababa in 'larch-April,
ECA/JEFAD/YM 1-4 Page 2
1.1.6. The AFPLAN Subregional Report for Central Africa (Yaounde WLPOC Subregion) was submitted to.the. Fourth Meeting of the Yaounde HULPOC held in Bangui in January 198V-.-1-' : :
IMPLEMENTATION ■■■■.■;■.•;■. - ' ■ - ■ _;;■■ v .-.'■
1.2.1. Based on the findings of the AFPLAN Subregional Report'the Fourth HULPOC Meeting resolved that,the recommendations of.the.report should be incorporated in the MULPOC Programme of' Work for 1981-1986. These recom mendations included:
- the study of agricultural prices to increase food output and to . stabljze...food supply:, . ... • .. . .
- the study of the,economics of meat trade* ,. ,'. .
? assessment of fish stock in the various rivers of the subregion a view to bringing about a more rational exploitation of that.
- a'preliminary study on the possibilities of research.and development into appropriate farm mechanization and non-traditional forms of
energy: . . .- . ,
- the study and co-ordination of productions supplyand distribution of agricultural inputs in the subregion; '_. [
- the evaluation of under-utilized land resources of the member States and their capacity for increasing production and absorbing additional
farm populations. . ..
1.2.2.' ."However9 the actual incorporation of the above mentioned studies by the Yaounde MULPOC into the Work Programme is to be made after agreement is reached by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Agronomic Research and Rural Development which .was set-up, at the ,Fpurth Conference of the MULPOC. Council of Ministers. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee'was to meet in May/June
19S1. This Meeting row has been postponed to early .March. 1.982.
ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION" "\'"" .;':'"''■",.. f' 'v,,,.,...!...".!'. .. '_*• " .'!...,"' . "[' ,. .,, '
1.3.1. No difficulty has been encountered so far. Hpwev.e"r:9 decision of tfie...., Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Agronomic Research and Rural Develop
ment is awaited.' . . . .
1-4 Page 3 PROPOSALS FOR ACTIVITIES OIJRTMR lQR?-83
1.4,1. The activities should be selected frora among those recommended by the Fourth Meeting of the HULPOC Council of Ministers and agreed to by the Inter governmental Negotiating Committee on Agronomic Research and Rural Development.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1.5.1.. The ECA/MULPOC awaits the decision of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Agronomic Research and Rural Development. . . . '
Page.4
Promotion ^t~__Hur,^inat^^
Re search Ins ^
BACKGROUND
2,1.1 The inaugural meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Central ■African MULPOC held in Yaounde, Cameroon,, on.. 2 and 3 March 197P, decided that within the context of resolution 311 (XIII)
establishing ECA Multinational Programming and Operational Centres
and resolution 236 (XIII) on economic co--operation, the Central African MULPOC should lay e^.pha^is^ among- others, on agricultural developmentP and within the sectorP on strengthening'research institutions in the sutregion-.
2de2 With few exceptions,, so far there is only limited exchange of research while there are several developing research institutions in the areaP there is a general lack of qualified indigenous
agricultural research personnel. The need for joint research
proqrammes coupled with the shortage of qualified indigenous research staff justify the co-ordination of research and training programmes.
The exercise is aimed at focusing on the preparation of an inventory of existing research institutions in agriculture and the possibilities of co-ord±nr..ting their activities through a network of research
institutions.
IMPLEMENTATION
Organization of
2.2.1 The ECA/FAO ,?o.\.rvt ^gri.cuiiure Division (JKFAD) was assigned with the' co-ordination of all activities concerning the implementata- tion of the projectp in close collaboration with the Economic
Co-operation Office (EGO) and the Yaounde MULPOC.
2.2.2 JEFAD approached FhO headquarters and was encouraged by the positive response from the Organization. FAG informed that the
Research and Development Centio (AGDR) h&d completed, in 1379 a very comprehensive survey on research institutions in Africa and that the possibilities of £CDR assisting EGA and MULPOC in the implementation.
of the project were good; if interest were expressed. Accordingly a request of assistance was addressed to AGDR/CARIS and a consultant from CAEIS visited Yaounde MULPOC in December 1979 to explore the possibility of co-ordinating AGDR and CARIS activities with the
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Page 5
Agronomic Research project,; and particularlyto (i) appraise research facilities and manpower availability within the countries of the
subregion, (ii) explore the extent to which countries could offer these facilities as a contribution to a CARIS Regional Programme,
(iii) evaluate on-going research projects, (iv) assist in setting-up a periodical for exchange of information on agronomic research.
2.2.3 Previously /Yaounde MULPOC had prepared a study on the subject which was used "as reference1 for the mission of the FAO expert.
Progress achieved to-date
2.2.4 Co-operation of FAO has been secured for an indepth study and evaluation of agricultural research institutions, programmes, projects;, manpower and equipment in the seven countries of the Yaounde MULPOC on condition that all basic data required for the study were, made
available, namely, a complete inventory of all research institutionsF research workers, and on-going programmes and projects. Furthermore the countries should be urged to join the CARIE system.
,
ASSESSMENT/EVALUATION , - .
2n3ol The implementation of the project has progressed gradually and the initial'benefits of a network linking the national research
institutions are becoming' apparent
2O3.2 Within the framework of co-operation 'and close working relations established among JEFADy Yaounde MULPOC and AGDR/CARIS, a staff member of Yaounde MULPOC was invited to attend the First Technical Consultation of CARIS Participating Centres held in Rome from 12 to 15 October 1981.
2.3.3 The MULPOG has become a focal ppint-at the subregional level for exchange of information,, .co-ordination, and liaison among member States on the one hand., and of the member States with FAO and EGA headquarters, on the other.
PROPOSAL FOR ACTIVITIES.DURING 1982-1983 .
In this connection the decisions and recommendations of the Inter- governmental Consultative Committee on Agronomic Research and Rural Development? are awaited- The Committee was"expected to meet in May 1981. The meeting was" postponed "to'' June' "1*981 • Now the meeting is scheduled to be held' immediately prior to the 5th Yaounde MULPOC meeting early in March 1982". :: . ,:: -
Paae 6
Assistance, to.Equatorial Guinea (Activity.. 9 v21-2 , Ql - a).
BACKGROUND
3.1.1 In accordance with resolution No, 2 of the 3rd Meeting of Yaounde MULPOG Council of Ministers held at Brazzaville from 29 February to 1 March 1980, the Council of Ministers urged the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa to give necessary assistance in all fields to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.
IMPLEMENTATION ■ ■ - ; ;-;;; '" ' ",-■■.:■■ ■
Organization" of work
3.2.1 (a) Desk study ~ Addis Ababa (November 1980)
(b) Joint ECA and Yaounde MULPOC field mission to Equatorial Guinea --
:• ■ ■ - Briefing at Yaounde MULPOC headguaters (3-4.December 1980) - Trip .to .Equatorial Guinea..(5-17 December 1980)
- Report drafting - Yaounde ..- (18-22 December 1980) - Debriefing and release of the report to the Yaounde
MULPOC Director (23 December 1980).. . Follow-up
2S2 (a) At the level of the Joint ECA/FAO Agriculture Division (i) Report forwarded to FAO (Accra and Rome) for
■ commentsrand request of technical assistance for three preparatory project prepared by the Mission.
(ii) Comments made by the Joint ECA/FAO Agriculture Division staff, were also transmitted to the Younde MULPOC Director.
(b) At the level of Yaounde MULgOC
The report was handed over to the Government of Equatorial Guinea and to the UND Resident Representative by the
Younde MULPOC agricultural expert.
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ECA/JEFAD/YM 1-4 Page 7
Progress achieved to-date
3.2.3 The three preparatory project documents prepared by the Mission were accepted by the Government of Equatorial Guinea.
3.2.4 They are s
(i.) -Setting up of an agricultural 8 forestry and livestock
"'research:unit; '■ ' ' "
- -Preparation of an agricultural map of the Republic of 1 Equatorial Guinea. : •':'"■"
(ii) Development of co-operatives in the rural areas?
(iil)'. ■.Establishment of project analysis unit within the ,„ -.. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock.
3o2.5 Mori' to implement the. last mentioned project has already
been initiated. ' . . .
FOREST RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AMD (Activity 9*212,02)
^ forest resources of Africa are fast being depleted.
It is estimated that as much" as one 'million sqo -3cm B of the original forest has been lost permanently 1''-fln year 2000 the estimated area of Africa's closed forests will be about
187 million ha-, as against the 1975 figure of 202 million hao This represents a decrease of 15 million-^ha; in 25 years at an annual rate of 0,6%. The main causes'bf forest destruction and degradation are.shifting cultivation,-wasteful, exploitation by
commercial firms and planned socio-economic activities.
4Dlo2to -if siiraJent policies and practices persist the combined
effect of population and:economic''ggoWth in most countries will lead to progressive reduction of export potential of tropical wood products., and aggravate lo<?a;l shor-taige,S'. > The situation is: ■ even'more ominous in the Sahelian zone= Here overgrazing*-annual ; bush fires and the high demand for fuelwood have greatly reduced productivity to the extent that a state of ecological disequilibrium exists in many places. The result is that normal regrowth hasbecome impossible without special efforts„ Under such situation the spread of Sahelian and desert conditions in these fragile ecosystems is not only a potential threat but a real hazard in several places.
4.1.3. It is therefore necessary to device a policy under which the
forest resources of Africa will be better managed, respected and brought back to a higher level of productivity.4D1,4O Project RAF/78/025 on Forest Resources Development and Conservation was conceived to provide a solution and formulated as part of the follow-up activities dependent on resolutions of
£CA Conference of Ministers, as well as the decisions and goals set by the Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity (OAU). The relevant resolutions includes
(a) ECA/OAU Resolution. 332(XIV) with Annex A, 27 March 1979;
(b) EGA Resolution CM Res„ 722(XXXIII) , 27 March 1979?
(c) ECA Resolution AEG/ST,3(XVI) Ref. 1, 27 March 1979?
(d) The Lagos Plan of Action emanating from the First Economic Summit of Heads of State and Government of OAU (28-29 April, 1980).
BCA/KULFOC/YAOUNDE/V/
ECA/JEFAD/YM- 1-4
Page 9 : 4ol05o The project document v/as circulated in March 1981 to member
States.for endorsement., Fifteen countries .have, indeed, endorsed the project document-indicating'"acceptability and political support for the planned activities„ ; .
4O1=6O &s collaborating agencies, FAO and UKEP have given full support to the project. Indeed/ there is an inter-agency agreement between ECA and FAO for the implementation of the project activities, 'As an associated'agency, FAO is committed to providing technical support and maintaining active,involvement in the regional consultation and seminars on. forest resources development«
Main objectives / ' .- _ .
4.1.7. The main objectives of.the'project'ares.
(a) to provide the necessary basic data and perspectives for assisting the governments of the African region in the
development of policies through which ■•'forest resources will not
only be preserved, but increased and exploited in a more rational way so; as|:; to expand Overall production to mee.t'"domestic and_export needs witho'ut jeopardizing present-and future potentials of. the
zones/of Africa?/.. " ' / , '■...■ ""' ' . to provide the basic data perspectives for arresting the present"degradation of forest resources, soil depletion and other undesirable,consequences of uncontrolled forest exploitation in the Sahelian/-'Su'dan> ■ Guinea,, and; humid ■ zones! of Africa;
(c) to promote, firm subregionai and regional co-operation in forest resource production,;supply, processing? and trade
within and outside the region,, in a manner such that the countries concerned can'foe much more self-reliant sector-ally and enjoy
increased benefits througli co-ordinated action programmed. and (d) to;initiate the process of the development of national, subregional aricf regional institutions which would foster improved"
production,'managerial, technical and research capabilities in forestry and desertification measures=
IMPLEMENTATION
2»1. The-project is still in, the preparatory assistance phase.-:which
will end in December 1981. The main activities?, have -so. far> been to call the attention -of member. States, to UNpP/ECA proposed activities in this■sector and also seek.their full support. The full scale
implementation of;-, the. project is scheduled for the third UNDP Programming Cycle, 1982-1986. . ;
ECA/MULPOC/YAOUMDE/V/
ECA/JEFAD/YM 1-4
Page 10
02o At present the staff of the project include a Team Leader
recruited in 1979 and a Silviculture and Management Expert engaged in Julyf 1981.
Consulting studies have been carried out ons
(a) problems of Forest Conservation in
(b) economic background to the proposed ECA/FAO Publication on Timber Trends and prospects in Africa, 1960-2
2O3O X'wo 2™man teams (one specialist in silviculture and management
and one specialist in forest resource economics) have visited certain member countries in connection v;ith a questionnaire on the proposed formation of Forest Resources Management Advisory- Group (FORMAO) sent to member States in April, 1981o
PROPOSALS FCR ACTIVITIES. bURI-S.<3-.A?82-lS53 ! ■ ■
3.1«■■ Since.fifteen,countries have already endorsed the document
for the full, sca^e project,, subject to the continued financial support by the UNDF, the beginning of 1982 should see thestrengthening of project capabilityB This will be done by the recruitment of project experts to cover the basic areas of Forest Policy Institutions,. Resource Economics, and Conservation/Cover Monitoring in addition to the existing expert, oh Silviculture
and Management. Activities for 1982/1983 will include preparation of background documents for a regional consultation of forest
resources scheduled to take place in September 1982„ An inter- agency workshop (ueCTC/ECA/FAO/UNCTAD) on the effects of Trans- national Corporations"on African Forestry will also be held in the third quarter of 1902. Other activities include studies on forest protection and plantations. Workshops or forestry
development and forestry training and research are also envisaged during the periods Other major activities will depend on a . plan. of. action to; be" prepared after the regional consultation based 6n an analysis of priority problems that member countries will indicate, The co-operation of tKe MULPQCs in this regard will be necessaryn
CO^CUJGIOr! . ' ■ ' '
4D1O This is a regional project which calls.for the co-operation
of all international?■regionalP subregional and national
organizations dealing.with African forestry/ the timber trade and industry, .The KDLPOCs have a unique role^-to play in the identi fication of problem areas and as: vehicles.for the implementation
of future project activities■ ■ :
