systeminadetermined assault designed toeliminate thecausesofpersistent hunger andmalnutrition onthatcontinent. Hemadereference totheestablishment oftheOfficeofEmergency Operations inAfrica (OEOA)tomobilize thesupport of theinternational community foreffective assistance toAfrican countries. He acknowledged thegenerous response shownbyGovernments attheConference onthe Emergency Situation inAfrica, whichhehadconvened atGenevainMarch1985. 6.TheSecretary-General emphasized theimportant linkbetweencrisis management andthedevelopment ofstrategic solutions whichwouldresultinfoodself-reliance andprevent futuredevastation. Henotedthatthislinkmustberecognized byboth developed anddeveloping countries, together withconcerned institutions and agencies, inefforts toachieve viabledevelopment patterns andthereconciliation ofAfrican foodproblems. Hecautioned thatemergency foodaid,ifnotcarefully integrated innational de~.7elopment planning andfoodsectorstrategies asadvocated bytheCouncil, couldbecome apermanent feature ofnational economies in developing countries whi,:hcouldhavetheeffectofretarding growthinthelonger terme Heobserved thatthosedeveloping countries whicharepursuing responsible domestic policies require effective development assistance whichreinforces necessary domestic reforms, provides quantitative andspecifie support tothefood sector, butwhichdoesnotoverburden already fragile administrations. The Secretary-General concluded hismessage bysayingthatacentral responsibility of theCouncil istofindthemeansofproviding accesstofoodforthe undernourished. Suchahighly-focused objective, hesaid,willrequire the concerted efforts andfullsupport oftheentireUnitedNations system. 7.TheDirector-General oftheFoodandAgriculture Organization oftheUnited Nations (FAO),Mr.Edouard Saouma, summarized thecurrent worldfoodsituation and thefoodanddevelopment crisisinAfrica. Hesaidthatagriculture isstillthe key-stone ofdevelopment andthatthirdworldcountries therefore needtoassign a higherpriority tothesector. Henotedthatattempts atindustrialization have aIltoooftenfailedbecause theywerenotbasedonadynamic agricultural sector. Heindicated thaturbanization isnot'amarkofrealprogress, asitstripsthe ruralareasofitshumanresources. Hespokeoftheneedtoassignhighpriority .innational budgets tothedevelopment oftheagricultural sector andsaidthat theseresources mustbeoriented towardtheruralareas. Peasants should be offered theopportunity toincrease theirproduction, withmoreremunerative prices andeasieraccesstoproduction inputssuchasfertilizers, seeds,toolsand credit. Heemphasized the'need tomorefullydevelop traditional foodcropsin ordertorectify thepresent imbalance infavourofcashcrops. Hemadereference totheneedforfoodplans, programmes andstrategies whichcontainstructural reforms, recognize farmers' associations andinclude specifie measures toensure thatfoodisavailable tothepoor. 8.TheDirector-General saidthatprogress inefforts toalleviate hungerwillbe impossible without anappreciable improvement inthegeneral economic healthof developing countries andintheclimate ofinternational relations. Giventhese factors, hesaidthethirdworldmustbeabletocountonenoughexternal aidto rehabilitate agriculture, notingthatofficial development assistance fellin1983 andprobably alsoin1984. Whilefoodaidisusefulinemergencies, henotedthat -15-thereweremanyunanswered questions withregardtothelong-term consequences of continued expansion ofstructural foodaidgranted zimplytomaintain thebalance ofpayments andcautioned astothepossible adverse effects ofsuchaidonlocal production. TheDirector-General concluded hisremarks bynotingthattheworld community still h~salongwaytogobeforeworldfoodsecurity becomes areality everywhere andforeveryone. HesaidthattheFAOBiennial Conference in November 1985willstudyadraftFoodSecurity Compact, theambition ofwhichwill betoproclaim forcefully thatfoodsecurity isthecollective responsibility of humanity. 9.ThePresident oftheWorldFoodCouncil, Mr.EugeneF.Whelan, welcomed delegates tothemeeting andthanked President Mitterrand, together withthe Minister ofAgriculture ofFrance, MOC.HenriNallet, theGovernment andthepeople
**Analysis**
The text discusses the global food crisis, hunger, and malnutrition in Africa, and the efforts of international organizations to address these issues. It highlights the importance of agriculture, food security, and sustainable development, as well as the need for effective assistance and cooperation among countries. The text also touches on the issue of economic development and its relationship to food security.

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