1. Technical Assistance Priorities SEC Informal Consultation March 2015

2. Informal Consultation for Central Asia Subregion at FAO in Ankara, March 2015 17 to 19 March, 2015 in Ankara The purpose is to prepare for 30 th FAO ERC in Turkey, in May 2016 by consulting with member countries not fully represented at Rome Governing Bodies Following a broad review of the food security and agriculture situation in the Subregion, Group discussions took place to consult on the most critical, and emerging issues

3. Country-SEC Informal Consultation

4. Format of Consultation Three Working Groups - countries’ needs and views on assistance priorities FAO’s comparative advantage and experience of work in the subregion Country Programming Framework (CPF) areas where FAO technical assistance will have the most impact FAO priorities in the Central Asia subregion need : –FAO global and regional activities and the Organization’s mandate and core functions –Needs of the member countries and synergy with assistance from multi- and bilateral donors and International Financial Institution (IFIs)

5. Recommendation Block 1: Food Security Political attention to food security and Governments’ ownership and leadership, working with all stakeholders and private sector, NGOs and civil society Fostering economic growth in rural areas and addressing out- and return migration to rural areas Emerging challenges for food security: environmental degradation, climate change, demographic changes; gender aspects in development projects

6. Food Security (cont.) FAO normative activities to continue Trade facilitation, SPS sanitary and phytosanitary standard setting, based on FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius, GMOs use as a controversial challenge Links to MDGs and now SDGs Sub/regional initiatives and cooperation

7. Recommendation Block 2 Environmental Threats & Climate Change There was overwhelming call for attention of the environmental degradation in the subregion and exposure to climatic shocks Sustainable land and water management, including modernization of irrigation systems, pro-active drought management, climate-smart agriculture Work under the Eurasia Soil Partnership. Reduction of waste and losses incl. in processing industry and marketing, and for inclusion in FAO projects

8. Recommendation Block 3: Support to Small Holders Support to family farmers, in particular rural Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Formation of voluntary farmers’ organizations, cooperatives and associations for marketing of inputs and products, connecting SMEs to the value chain. Support to building new, market economy cooperatives and farmers’ associations Continue extension and advisory projects in the form of demonstration farms and pilot areas and technology demonstration and training.

9. Recommendation Block 2 Environmental Threats & Climate Change There was overwhelming call for attention of the environmental degradation in the subregion and exposure to climatic shocks Sustainable land and water management, including modernization of irrigation systems, pro-active drought management, climate-smart agriculture Work under the Eurasia Soil Partnership. Reduction of waste and losses incl. in processing industry and marketing, and for inclusion in FAO projects

10. Recommendation Block 3: Support to Small Holders Support to family farmers, in particular rural Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Formation of voluntary farmers’ organizations, cooperatives and associations for marketing of inputs and products, connecting SMEs to the value chain. Support to building new, market economy cooperatives and farmers’ associations Continue extension and advisory projects in the form of demonstration farms and pilot areas and technology demonstration and training.

11. THANK YOU