Food and agriculture organization
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) /ˌfuːd ænd ˌæɡrɪˈkʌltʃər ɔːrɡənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its Latin motto, fiat panis, translates to "let there be bread".
Etymology
The term "Food and Agriculture Organization" is self-explanatory, referring to the organization's focus on food and agriculture. The acronym "FAO" is derived from the initial letters of the organization's full name.
History
The FAO was established on 16 October 1945, in Quebec City, Canada, by the first session of the newly created United Nations. The organization's goal was to secure improvements in the efficiency of production and distribution of food and agricultural products.
Functions
The FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations, and contribute to the growth of the world economy. It provides assistance to developing countries, through the "FAO Country Profiles", for the implementation of improved farming practices and the adoption of new technologies.
Related Terms
- United Nations: An international organization founded in 1945 to promote peace, security, and cooperation among member countries and to serve as a platform for dialogue and negotiation.
- Agriculture: The science, art, and business of cultivating soil, producing crops, and raising livestock.
- Nutrition: The process by which organisms take in and utilize food material.
- Food Security: The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
- Farming Practices: The methods and procedures used in the production of crops and livestock.
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