International conferences for the exchange of knowledge in biology, biochemistry, crop diversification, and animal health began in the mid-19th century, reflecting an increasing realization of nations’ interdependence in agriculture and related fields. 

During World War II, a series of discussions resulted in the formation of the Food and Agriculture Organization. The US Nutrition Conference for Defense, which drew 900 attendees, decided in 1941 that conquering hunger should be a goal for democracies, “not just the visible hunger that man has always known, but the hidden hunger revealed by contemporary knowledge of nutrition.” In May and June 1943, President Roosevelt hosted the United Nations Conference on Food and Agriculture in Hot Springs, Virginia.

What is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)?

FAO has been assisting countries in managing their forests sustainably since 1945. The FAO has been with ATIBT since its inception in 1951. In line with the FAO’s three main objectives which are

• to contribute to the eradication of hunger, food insecurity, and malnutrition
• to eliminate poverty and promote social and economic progress for all
•  to sustainably manage and use natural resources, including land, water, air, climate, and genetic resource. 

FAO balances social, economic, and environmental goals so that current generations can benefit from forest resources while preserving the environment.

Governance of FAO: 

The top three levels of the FAO’s governance structure are the Conference, Council, and Commission.

• Director-General- The FAO Conference is the plenary assembly of member nations that gathers every two years to assess FAO’s operations, establish a biennial “Program of Work and Budget,” and elect the Council and Director-General when the end of their term, and make other decisions as needed.
• The Council serves as an “executive board,” with operational and management policies as its responsibility. The Council has 49 members, with each of the seven regional groups having an agreed number of seats.
• The FAO Secretariat and its senior management team are led by the Director-General. The Director-Office General is in charge of preparing a budget, strategic plans, and other suggestions for the approval of the governing bodies.

Composition and Headquarters:

The Food and Agriculture Organization, which serves 194 member countries, two associate members, and the European Union, also aspires to provide a neutral venue where governments may negotiate agreements and debate policy. 2 It has operations in over 130 countries and employs over 11,500 people. Its headquarters are in Rome, Italy. 

The FAO is divided into seven sections:

1. The Agriculture and Consumer Protection Department 
2. The Climate, Land, Biodiversity, and Water Department
3. The Corporate Services Department
4. The Economic and Social Development Department
5. The Fisheries and Aquaculture Department
6. The Forestry Department 
7. The Programme Management Department and Technical Cooperation

Functions of FAO: 

The Food and Agriculture Organization’s functions are divided into three categories: food security, food safety, and agricultural technique influence.

• Improving access to clean drinking water and safe food production are two ways to assure food safety.
• Aids in the development of appropriate fishing and agricultural rules of practice, which aid in the streamlining of activities. 
• Promoting agricultural practices and policies that eliminate hunger and malnutrition A large part of this is accomplished through agricultural research and development.
• Assisting governments in the development of educational programs to teach farmers the best agricultural techniques.
• To realize that food production must take into account the conservation of natural resources in the countries in which it operates, and hence support environmental conservation projects.

FAO’s role in Agricultural Development: 

It investigates and adopts existing and emerging technologies, as well as designing and scaling new services, tools, and approaches to empower rural households and encourage youth entrepreneurship in the food and agriculture industries. FAO and its partners are working in nine pilot countries in Africa, Asia, and Central America to bring together international, national, and local stakeholders to design and implement agricultural innovation capacity development programs.

Relation between FAO and India: 

Since its inception in 1945, the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has had a strong relationship with India. It continues to play a critical role in India’s success in the fields of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, food security, and natural resource management. In 1948, the FAO began operations in India. It maintains a presence in New Delhi. The Ministry of Agriculture is FAO’s nodal ministry in India.

The Indian government’s major goal is to double farmers’ income by enhancing efficiency and ensuring equity in a sustainable manner. The NITI Aayog is India’s top policy-making body, with the goal of boosting the country’s economic growth.

India’s seat on the Executive Board of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for 2020 and 2021 was also approved by the FAO Council.

Conclusion:

The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) works to combat hunger and poverty around the world by improving agricultural, forestry, and fishery practices. The FAO, which is funded by developed countries and development institutions, frequently works in public-private partnerships. The FAO works to establish sustainable food sources, resources, and operational mechanisms in countries, rather than providing help or food directly.