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(a) Financing and cost evaluation

14.60. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $600 million, including about $300 million from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non -concessional, w ill depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Scientific and technological means

14.61. Governments, at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Develop basic science research in such areas as plant taxonomy and phytogeography, utilizing recent developments, such as computer sciences, molecular genetics and in vitro cryopreservation;
b. Develop major collaborative projects betwe en research programmes in developed and developing countries, particularly for the enhancement of poorly known or neglected crops;
c. Promote cost-effective technologies for keeping duplicate sets of ex situ collections (which can also be used by local commu nities);
d. Develop further conservation sciences in relation to in situ conservation and technical means to link it with ex situ conservation efforts.
(c) Human resource development

14.62. Governments at the appropriate level and with the support of the relevan t international and regional organizations should:
a. Promote training programmes at both undergraduate and post -graduate levels in conservation sciences for running PGRFA facilities and for the design and implementation of national programmes in PGRFA;
b. Raise the awareness of agricultural extension services in order to link PGRFA activities with user communities;
c. Develop training materials to promote conservation and utilization of PGRFA at the local level.
(d) Capacity-building

14.63. Governments at the approp riate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should establish national policies to provide legal status for and strengthen legal aspects of PGRFA, including long -term financial commitments for germplasm collection s and implementation of activities in PGRFA.

H. Conservation and sustainable utilization of animal genetic resources for sustainable agriculture

Basis for action

14.64. The need for increased quantity and quality of animal products and for draught animals c alls for conservation of the existing diversity of animal breeds to meet future requirements, including those for use in biotechnology. Some local animal breeds, in addition to their socio -cultural value, have unique attributes for adaptation, disease resi stance and specific uses and should be preserved. These local breeds are threatened by extinction as a result of the introduction of exotic breeds and of changes in livestock production systems.

Objectives

14.65. The objectives of this programme area are:
a. To enumerate and describe all breeds of livestock used in animal agriculture in as broad a way as possible and begin a 10-year programme of action;
b. To establish and implement action programmes to identify breeds at risk, together with the nature of the risk and appropriate preservation measures;
c. To establish and implement development programmes for indigenous breeds in order to guarantee their survival, avoiding the risk of their being replaced by breed substitution or cross-breeding programmes.
Activities

(a) Management-related activities

14.66. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Draw up breed preservation plans, for endangered populations, including semen/embryo collection and storage, farm-based conservation of indigenous stock or in situ preservation;
b. Plan and initiate breed development strategies;
c. Select indigenous populations on the basis of regional importance and genetic uniqueness, for a 10-year programme, followed by selection of an additional cohort of indigenous breeds for development.
(b) Data and information

14.67. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should prepare and complete national inventories of available animal genetic resources. Cryogenic storage could be given priority over characterization and evaluation. Training of nationals in conservation and assessment techniques would be given special attention.

14.68. The appropriate United Nations and other international and regional agencies should:
a. Promote the establishment of regional gene banks to the extent that they are justified, based on principles of technical cooperation among developing countries;
b. Process, store and analyse animal genetic data at the global level, including the establishment of a world watch list and an early warning system for endangered breeds; global assessment of scientific and intergovernmental guidance of the programme and review of regional and national activities; development of methodologies, norms and standards (including international agreements); monitoring of their implementation; and related technical and financial assistance;
c. Prepare and publish a comprehensive database of animal genetic resources, describing each breed, its derivation, its relationship with other breeds, effective population size and a concise set of biological and production characteristics;

d. Prepare and publish a world wat ch list on farm animal species at risk to enable national Governments to take action to preserve endangered breeds and to seek technical assistance, where necessary.
Means of implementation

(a) Financing and cost evaluation

14.69. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $200 million, including about $100 million from the international community on grant or concessional terms. These are indicative and order-of-magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non -concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementatio n.

(b) Scientific and technological means
14.70. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Use computer-based data banks and questionnaires to prepare a global inventory/world watch list;
b. Using cryogenic storage of germplasm, preserve breeds at serious risk and other material from which genes can be reconstructed.
(c) Human resource development

14.71. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Sponsor training courses for nationals to obtain the necessary expertise for data collection and handling and for the sampling of genetic material;
b. Enable scientists and managers to establish an information base for in digenous livestock breeds and promote programmes to develop and conserve essential livestock genetic material.
(d) Capacity-building

14.72. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Establish in-country facilities for artificial insemination centres and in situ breeding farms;
b. Promote in-country programmes and related physical infrastructure for animal livestock conservation and breed development, as well as for strengthening natio nal capacities to take preventive action when breeds are endangered.
I. Integrated pest management and control in agriculture

Basis for action

14.73. World food demand projections indicate an increase of 50 per cent by the year 2000 which will more than double again by 2050. Conservative estimates put pre -harvest and post -harvest losses caused by pests between 25 and 50 per cent. Pests affecting animal health also cause heavy losses and in many areas prevent livestock development. Chemical control of agricult ural pests has dominated the scene, but its overuse has adverse effects on farm budgets, human health and the environment, as well as on international trade. New pest problems continue to develop. Integrated pest management, which combines biological contr ol, host plant resistance and appropriate farming practices and minimizes the use of pesticides, is the best option for the future, as it guarantees yields, reduces costs, is environmentally friendly and contributes to the sustainability of agriculture. Integrated pest management should go hand in hand with appropriate pesticide management to allow for pesticide regulation and control, including trade, and for the safe handling and disposal of pesticides, particularly those that are toxic and persistent.

Objectives

14.74. The objectives of this programme area are:
a. Not later than the year 2000, to improve and implement plant protection and animal health services, including mechanisms to control the distribution and use of pesticides, and to implement the International Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides;
b. To improve and implement programmes to put integrated pest-management practices within the reach of farmers through farmer networks, extension services and research institutions;
c. Not later than the year 1998, to establish operational and interactive networks among farmers, researchers and extension services to promote and develop integrated pest management.
Activities

(a) Management-related activities

14.75. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Review and reform national policies and the mechanisms that would ensure the safe and appropriate use of pesticides - for example, pesticide pricing, pest control brigades, price- structure of inputs and outputs and integrated pest-management policies and action plans;
b. Develop and adopt efficient management systems to control and monitor the incidence of pests and disease in agriculture and the distribution and use of pesticides at the country level;
c. Encourage research and development into pesticides that are target -specific and readily degrade into harmless constituent parts after use;
d. Ensure that pesticide labels provide farmers with understandable information about safe handling, application and disposal.
(b) Data and information

14.76. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Consolidate and harmonize existing information and programmes on the use of pesticides that have been banned or severely restricted in different countries;
b. Consolidate, document and disseminate information on biological control agents and organic pesticides, as well as on traditional and other relevant knowledge and skills regarding alternative non-chemical ways of controlling pests;
c. Undertake national surveys to establish baseline information on the use of pesticides in each country and the side-effects on human health and environment, and also undertake appropriate education.

14.77. Appropriate United Nations agencies and regional organizations should:
a. Establish a system for collecting, analysing and disseminating data on the quantity and quality of pesticides u sed every year and their impact on human health and the environment;
b. Strengthen regional interdisciplinary projects and establish integrated pest management (IPM) networks to demonstrate the social, economic and environmental benefits of IPM for food and cash crops in agriculture;
c. Develop proper IPM, comprising the selection of the variety of biological, physical and cultural controls, as well as chemical controls, taking into account specific regional conditions.
Means of implementation

(a) Financing and cost evaluation

14.78. The Conference secretariat has estimated the average total annual cost (1993 -2000) of implementing the activities of this programme to be about $1.9 billion, including about $285 million from the international community on grant or co ncessional terms. These are indicative and order -of- magnitude estimates only and have not been reviewed by Governments. Actual costs and financial terms, including any that are non -concessional, will depend upon, inter alia, the specific strategies and programmes Governments decide upon for implementation.

(b) Scientific and technological means

14.79. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should launch on -farm research in the developmen t of non-chemical alternative pest management technologies.

14.80. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Prepare and conduct training programmes on approaches and techniques for integrated pest management and control of pesticide use, to inform policy makers, researchers, non - governmental organizations and farmers;
b. Train extension agents and involve farmers and women's groups in crop health and alternative non-chemical ways of controlling pests in agriculture.
(d) Capacity-building

14.81. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should strengthen national public administrations an d regulatory bodies in the control of pesticides and the transfer of technology for integrated pest management.

J. Sustainable plant nutrition to increase food production

Basis for action

14.82. Plant nutrient depletion is a serious problem resulting in los s of soil fertility, particularly in developing countries. To maintain soil productivity, the FAO sustainable plant nutrition programmes could be helpful. In sub -Saharan Africa, nutrient output from all sources currently exceeds inputs by a factor of three or four, the net loss being estimated at some 10 million metric tons per year. As a result, more marginal lands and fragile natural ecosystems are put under agricultural use, thus creating further land degradation and other environmental problems. The int egrated plant nutrition approach aims at ensuring a sustainable supply of plant nutrients to increase future yields without harming the environment and soil productivity.

14.83. In many developing countries, population growth rates exceed 3 per cent a year, and national agricultural production has fallen behind food demand. In these countries the goal should be to increase agricultural production by at least 4 per cent a year, without destroying the soil fertility. This will require increasing agricultural production in high-potential areas through efficiency in the use of inputs. Trained labour, energy supply, adapted tools and technologies, plant nutrients and soil enrichment will all be essential.

Objectives

14.84. The objectives of this programme area are:
a. Not later than the year 2000, to develop and maintain in all countries the integrated plant nutrition approach, and to optimize availability of fertilizer and other plant nutrient sources;
b. Not later than the year 2000, to establish and maintain institutional and human infrastructure to enhance effective decision-making on soil productivity;
c. To develop and make available national and international know-how to farmers, extension agents, planners and policy makers on environmentally sound new and existing technologies and soil-fertility management strategies for application in promoting sustainable agriculture.
Activities

(a) Management-related activities

14.85. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Formulate and apply strategies that will enhance soil fertility maintenance to meet sustainable agricultural production and adjust the relevant agricultural policy instruments accordingly;
b. Integrate organic and inorganic sources of plant nutrients in a system to sustain soil fertility and determine mineral fertilizer needs;
c. Determine plant nutrient requirements and supply strategies and optimize the use of both organic and inorganic sources, as appropriate, to increase farming efficiency and production;
d. Develop and encourage processes for the recycling of organic and inorganic waste into the soil structure, without harming the environment, plant growth and human health.
(b) Data and information

14.86. Governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should:
a. Assess "national accounts" for plant nutrients, including supplies (inputs) and losses (outputs) and prepare balance sheets and projections by cropping systems;

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