24.Inconsidering theprogress ofimplementation inAfricaofthefoodsectorstrategy, manydelegates ob~erved thattheappropriate designandimplementation of suchpolicies andplanswereprerequisites tothealleviation offoodproblems.SOmedelegates observed thatdevelopments todateinimplementing foodstrategyplanswereencouraging, whileothersexpressed disappointment atwhattheydescribed astheslowpaceofprogress intheinvestment forandimplementation ofplansandstrategies. Somedelegates observed thatthepreoccupation withmanagingthecurrent foodemergency, combined withthecurrent international economicenvironment, whichhasreduced capital inflows todeveloping countries, haslimitedinvestment forfinancing thevarious Elements offoodstrategies. Whilethereappeared tobeunanimous agreement ontheconceptual meritofthefoodsectorstra'tegy asaprincipal instrument foraddressing foodproblems, therewerewide-ranging viewsonthecontent andcomposition ofsuchplans. Somedelegatesemphasized therequirement toinclude education, training andresearch asprincipalelements offoodsectorstrategies. Othersemphasized theneedformoreoperational elements whichwouldinclude creditavailability andmanagement, theestablishment ofreserve stocks, subsidy instruments toassure foodsupplies tosubsistance farmers whenandwherecropfailures occur,storagefacilities, seedandfertilizer supplyandrelated measures. Thisdiscussion servedtoconfirm thecomplexity anddiversity offoodsectorprogrammes. Inthisrespect, onedelegateindicated aneedtobreachanapparent conceptual andoperational gapinplandesignandimplementation. Therewas,however, consensus onotheraspects offoodsectordesign. Mostdelegates observed thatsuchplansandtheirobjectives mustbeconsistent withandrelevant tooverall national goalsandaspirations, reflectthestateoftheinternational environment, andcontain abuilt-in provision foradjustment aseventsandcircumstances occur. Inthesearchforresolutions tofoodproblems, national sovereignty mustberespected. Somedelegates recommendedthattheWorldFoodCouncil workmaredirectly withthosedeveloping countriesinterested indesigning individual foodsectorstrategies. -22-25.So worksho Februar contrib warmly itsexp inthat South-S 26.,Ma monitor delegat thatth individ delegat thedes indicat foodse context 27.Ma thatdi taken. andasp communi directi 28.Ma improveD productj slowed t forthe decisio andtol particu] require' growth c thatth 29.Al indispe consens aid,sh develop control pattern improve ground 30. somere delegat conflic consens Somede25.Sornedelegates madereference totheconclusions whichemerged fromthe workshop onaccelerated foodstrategy implementation inAfricaheldatAbidjan in February 1985.Meetings ofthistYf;areperceived asusefulandpositive contributions inefforts toresolve foodproblems. Inthisrespect, alldelegates warmlywelcomed theinvitation extended byChina t~hostaseminar in1986toshare itsexperience withAfrican foodstrategists onfoodandagricultural developments inthatcountry. China's contribution inthisrespectisaconcrete expression of South-South cc-operation infoodandagricultural matters. 26.Manydelegates supported theExecutive Director's proposal toestablish a monitoring framework forfoodsectorstrategy implementation inAfrica. Sorne delegates suggested thatmoreworkontheproposal isrequired. Onedelegate said thatthemethodology shouldbedetermined inamannerwhichwillaccommoda te individual country situations andpriorities, anobservation endorsed bymanyother delegates, andthattheviewsofAfricanofficials shouldbesoughtinfurthering thedesignandimplementation ofthemonitoring framework. Another delegate indicated thattheproposal willbemorerelevant asmoreprogress ismadewith foodsectorstrategies butthat,inanyevent,theworkmustbeconducted inthe context ofnational development plans. 27.Manydelegates recognized thattheresolution offoodproblems willrequire thatdifficult decisions concerning domestic reforminmanyAfrican countries be taken. These"decisions mustbetakenaccording toindividual country situations andaspirations. Onedelegate observed thatadvice fromtheinternational community cannotreplace national decisions andpolicies and,inthisrespect, the directions setbyAfrican countries mustbefullyrespected. 28.ManyAfrican delegates expressed concern fortheruralpoorandadvocated improvements tobenefit themandtosimultaneously increase agrieultural production. Therewasconsensus amongthesedelegates thaturbangrowthshouldbe slowedbyrevitalizing ruralareasthrough reformandthrough specifie incentives forthesmallproducer. Manydelegates spokeoftheneedtodecentralize decision-making toinclude farmlabourers, todiversify ruralaetivities generally andtoutilize morefullynatural andhumanresources inruralareasin partieular. Delegates endorsed ~~eviewthatmorereseareh andextension workis required inAfricawhichwouldincrease producers' incomes, stimulate employment growthandhelpalleviate rural pover~y. Inthisrespect, mostdelegates urged thatthesecondreplenishment ofIFADbeaccompli shedassoonaspossible. 29.Alldelegates wereagreedthatsustained emergency assistance was indispensable toprevent f~rther lossoflifeinfamine-stricken Afriea. Therewas consensus amongdelegates thatemergency assistance, supplemented byadditional aid,shouldbeintegrated withandlinkedtointermediate andlonger-term development solutions. Several delegates alsoobserved that,whilemancannot control theweather, hecanlearnfromitandtheyadvocated thestudyofweather patterns inordertoplancorrective action. Mostdelegates advocated further
**Analysis**
The text discusses the implementation of food sector strategies in Africa, with a focus on the need for sustained emergency assistance, the importance of education, training, and research, and the need for more operational elements such as credit availability and management. The text also touches on the complexity and diversity of food sector programs, the need for national sovereignty, and the importance of international cooperation.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing, Humanitarian aid and relief