FAO in Angola
o 1982/1998

FAO is working in Angola since 1978.
The work started with several Technical Cooperation Programs, funded by FAO, aiming to support the Government of Angola in the strengthening of the agricultural sector.
The different TCP projects implemented between 1978 and 1988, summarized below were linked with:

• Seed supply
• Inland Fisheries
• Animal Vaccination Campaigns
• Rural Radio
• Agricultural statistics
• Greenbelt
• Cassava programs
• Agricultural credit
• Forestry planning
• Rice
• Fishery Statistics
• Fishery Farms
• Agricultural mechanization
• Wildlife legal framework
• Plant protection

In 1981/1982, through an exchange of correspondence the GOA accepted the installation of a FAO representation in Angola.

During this period FAO played its role of Technical Agency providing technical assistance to UNDP funded activities.
Between 1982 and 1989, several projects were implemented; the main focus was put on:

• Organization and management methodology
• Food production:
• Rehabilitation of Luanda Milk Factory
• Inland Fisheries
• Support to Coffee production sector
• Woman on job training
• Support to creation of a Soil Laboratory
• Valorization of the Cangandala National Park
• Creation of a centre for Bee Keeping
• Support to Veterinary laboratories
• Actions against desertification in Tômbua
• Support to Kikuxi training center for the permanent support to Agriculture
• Forestry sector study
• Strengthening of the statistical Unit of MINAGRI
• Support to Human resources of MINAGRI
• Farmers participation to the increase of food production

During the period 1992/1998 the development of several activities in the field was hampered by the conflict.

Following the Lusaka Peace Protocol Signature, in 1994, and the stabilization of the country, FAO provided technical assistance to GOA in 1996-97 to prepare an in depth Review of the Agricultural Recovery and Development Options and Investments needs. This review conducted by FAO with the support of several Donors and Agencies (UNDP, WB, IFAD, WFP), produced a number of detailed recommendations on agricultural development strategies.

From 1986, FAO started to support GoA for the establishment of an early warning system within the Ministry of Commerce, which led with the time to the creation of the actual Food Security Cabinet (GSA) within MINADER. Several projects aiming to support the GSA were conducted from that time until now.

Between 1996 and 1998, MINADER with the support of FAO implemented a pilot project to bridge the emergency with the transition phase, aimed at reactivating the extension services in Huambo province through small scale seed production, research/development and micro credits. This project was considered as a first phase of the agricultural recovery process in the central plan alto.

o During the last emergency phase 1998/2003

In 1998, FAO opens an Emergency Coordination Unit (link to TCEO website: http://www.fao.org/reliefoperations/en/index.html) aiming at responding to the humanitarian needs in the agricultural sector.
During this period FAO regular program was underway with some TCP and Trust Fund field project activities to provide technical assistance to the GoA in areas such as: the reorganization of the fishing statistics services, support to the food security Cabinet, Rehabilitation of Food security in Bengo Province, Support to the Land Tenure program, and Support to the Development of Inland Fisheries in Bengo, and Surveillance and Control of transboundary diseases in the Southern provinces of the country. However, the emergency activities took the real emphasis during this period.
The ECU played a great role after the signature of the peace agreement in 2002, in coordinating the operations of several stakeholders to avoid duplication and maximize coverage of the agricultural assistance. The ECU worked through the projects presented in the consolidated appeals for Angola, counting on financial contribution of several Donors: Italy, EU, Japan, Sweden, Norway, Finland, OFDA. Some activities were also funded by other UN Agencies such as UNHCR, UNDP through the World Bank.

The main achievements during the emergency phase were:

• The coordination of the Humanitarian partners during 2 agricultural seasons (2002/03 and 2003/04), ensuring that for each season a total of around 600.000 agricultural kits were distributed assisting the most vulnerable families nationwide.
• The distribution during 2 years of 575 000 agricultural kits through 57 NGOs.
• The promotion of community based seed multiplication networks and reintroduction of “Lost crops” (sunflowers, Bambara Groundnut, soybean, etc…), development of cassava and sweet potato multiplication poles in 10 provinces.
• The support to land tenure activities in the southern Province of Huila.
• The support to the Food Security Office at MINADER under FAO regular program for basic data collection and synthesis of information on crop production, the agro-meteorological situation and market conditions.
• The support to the National Centre of Genetic Resources for collection of germplasm and re-establishment of a national germplasm collection.
• Development of a food security project In Bengo province
• Support to Fisheries
• Support to Forestry
• Support to Environment

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