What is the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)?

About Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO):

• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
• It is the oldest permanent specialized agency of the UN, established in October 1945.
• Mandate: To improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations, and contribute to global economic growth.
• The FAO coordinates the efforts of governments and technical agencies in programs for developing agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and land and water resources.
• Other Functions:

• Carries out research; 
• Provides technical assistance on projects in individual countries; 
• Operates educational programs through seminars and training centres; 
• Maintains information and support services, including keeping statistics on world production, trade, and consumption of agricultural commodities; 
• Publishes a number of periodicals, yearbooks, and research bulletins.

• Headquarters: Rome, Italy.
• Members: It currently has 194 Member States plus the European Union (member organization).
• Funding: FAO receives 100 percent of its funding from its member countries.
• In case of scarcity or conflict, the FAO usually does not intervene directly with food relief operations. Within the UN system, these activities are generally entrusted to the World Food Program.
• Reports published by the FAO: The State of the World's Forests (SOFO), The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO), The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).