This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

Administrator J. Brian Atwood
Board for International Food and Agricultural Development
Washington, D.C., February 9, 1998
U.S. Agency for International Development

--    It is always a pleasure to be with you and have the opportunity to address BIFAD. The longer I am here, the more I appreciate your work and the value of your recommendations on better ways to go about the critical tasks of increasing food supplies and reducing malnutrition for millions of individuals in dozens of developing nations.

--    Our discussion over the past year have been recognition that the significant decreases in funding for agricultural development over the past decade by all major donors -- including USAID -- has gone too far. Your voices have been heard and there is now increased interest in agricultural development both within the Congress and within this Administration.

--    As reported earlier of our intention, USAID's new Strategic Plan, released in September, elevated agricultural development to one of five Agency goals. This effort is important to getting the message to our field missions that our programs need to reflect our increased attention to agriculture. USAID understands agriculture's importance in stimulating and supporting overall development in the least developed nations.

--    USAID's FY 1999 budget request for agriculture under the Development Assistance Account will be at least $126.6 million, a modest increase from last year that signals a momentous turn in the right direction. While these numbers reflect our very rigid accounting mechanism, you know that we program agriculture-related activities under other categories, such as the environment, such as ESF, SEED and Freedom Support Act funding.

--    We don't have the totals for all accounts today, but I have asked my staff to compile agriculture funding form all accounts, including new funds requested for Haiti and Jordan. We should have the total agricultural picture very soon.

--    At least $50-75 million under the Environment category, for example, is used to directly fund agricultural activities which also improve the environment. Economic Support Funds and the Support for East European Democracy (SEED) and Freedom Support Act categories also include some agricultural activities.

--    The fact that support for agriculture-related efforts is spread throughout USAID activities reflects USAID's commitment to integrated strategies that effectively address the multiple, inter-related aspects of development.

--    I am sure you are aware of the growing worldwide awareness of the role of malnutrition in the cruel cycle of poverty, disease, disability and premature death that thwarts the progress of poor people in developing countries. We know that malnutrition is an underlying cause of more than half the deaths among children in developing countries.

--    We will continue to work with the Congress to broaden the definition of Child Survival in order to better integrate vital agriculture and nutrition activities.

--    In the area of nutrition, USAID is also leading an enhanced effort to combat Vitamin A deficiency, a major cause of childhood deaths and illness, and the main cause of blindness in children.

--    We will be forging an alliance of industry, "not-for-profit" and public agencies to help with education, fortification of common foods and providing supplements where appropriate. This coalition will also help us encourage greater efforts by other donors and by host countries to eliminate Vitamin A deficiency as a public health problem worldwide.

--    Efforts to promote Vitamin A education and consumption will be incorporated throughout our Agency's maternal, infant and child activities. USAID is also working to more closely link agricultural production and nutrition concerns.

--    I do not have to tell this group that agricultural development is one of the best ways to reduce poverty and hunger in low-income countries.

--    Yet we also know that improved food production alone will not end the suffering of the 800 million people worldwide who are malnourished. An integrated approach is necessary.

--    Government policies that encourage food production, marketing systems and infrastructure that get affordable food to those who need it are also essential to assure that agricultural improvements ensure improved nutrition and health.

--    Stronger international partnerships in agriculture are also vital elements in protecting United States international economic interests. They are an important part of keeping our economy competitive and successful in trading with markets all over the world.

--    For a number of years, developing countries have provided the fastest growing and most promising new markets for American goods and services. For this to continue, developing countries must also experience economic growth, create jobs for their people and earn foreign exchange by exporting goods and services for which they have a comparative advantage. Agricultural development must occur before these countries can afford other American products, and as their agriculture develops, they become important markets for American agricultural exports.

--    In FY 1997, half the $4 million increase (from the FY 1996 low) in CGIAR research funds was earmarked for expanding research relationships with U.S. universities. This effort brought at least 20 additional universities and 100 new scientists into the International Agricultural Research system.

--    We are now in the second year of this effort, and we hope to have a similar increase and to continue to expand the research network in the future.

    Beginning in FY 1998, an additional $2 million will go to U.S. universities -- part of Global Bureau's contribution to the Food Security in Africa Initiative (AFRI) -- and will be directed towards certain CGIAR research priorities that should lead to increased agricultural production or more nutritious crops in Africa.

--    USAID's partnership with universities and the agribusiness community has already brought about tremendous accomplishments and a wealth of experience from which to learn. The time has come, though, to strengthen our teamwork, build on our successes, and cement stronger and more environmentally sound trade and development relationships in this vital sector.

--    I'm looking forward to hearing the report from Emmy Simmons and her staff, along with members of BIFAD and the university community, have been involved with a series of workshops with U.S. agribusiness to examine the opportunities and limits of new public/private partnerships. These meetings have been held in Arkansas, Missouri, Minnesota and California. Ed Schuh and Miles Goggans have participated in some of these sessions.

--    These meetings are an important because we need to reach out to innovative people both inside and outside the Agency who will generate new ideas about how we can achieve our common goals within the operating restraints we face. The increased interest within the university community in working with U.S. business related to trade and export markets makes these consultations even more vital.

--    I was also interested to see the results of the Task Force on the CRSP guidelines, which Ada Demb chairs. Their preliminary results indicate the CRSPs are not well enough understood by our missions. We may need to work out closer BIFAD involvement to help us with this.

--    The Food Security Advisory Committee was established as a subcommittee of BIFAD to provide continuing advice and monitoring of this Action Plan and to help us reach out to all sectors during its implementation. I'm impressed by the broad representation of the many sectors concerned with food security. I look forward to talking with the Committee at its initial meeting on Wednesday.

--    I rely on BIFAD's guidance and recommendations for USAID agricultural programs. During this meeting you will be discussing issues relating to personnel, partnerships, crisis prevention and strategic leadership.

--    I will look to you for particular assistance in:

-- providing both continued stimulus and support to my staff in shaping and discussing the USAID agenda in agricultural development;

-- participating actively in forging a public policy consensus on key issues for agricultural development and food security; and

-- exerting leadership in the academic community and in relationships with the state-based groups concerned with America's role in international development to increase trade and technology transfer.

Thank you, I'll be happy to take any questions.

This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

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