Possibilities for assistance by FAO

In FAO’s short and medium term plans, the seriousness and magnitude of the problems of soil conservation and traditional forms of land use emphasizes the need for accelerated and continuing action programmers aimed at the restoration of lands which have been eroded, and the establishment of preventive conservation measures to combat the potential danger of soil degradation through erosion. New conservation techniques will be continuously developed which are adaptable to different and changing erosion conditions and conservation needs in different countries. Other soil conservation programs will emphasize the implementation of practical and effective soil conservation legislation to promote agricultural development compatible with wise land use, and the study of the effects of shifting cultivation on agricultural production in face of the intensified population pressure. FAO’s activities in soil development are organized in the Field Programs and the Regular Programme.The Field Programme works through field projects in cooperation with counterpart organizations in the recipient countries and is financed essentially by the United Nations Development Programme and Trust Funds. There are: large scale projects including 5 to 8 FAO experts plus a number of consultants and lasting 5 or more years; small scale projects including 1 to 3 experts usually dealing with specific problems; short term missions consisting of 1 to 3 specialists and assisting countries, for instance, in preparing a plan for soil development.