Food insecurity is expected to accelerate substantially in sub-Saharan Africa where available evidence suggests that environmental degradation such as soil erosion, desertification and deforestation is seriously depend for increasing their agricultural productivity. As a result, about 44 percent of Africa's population live below the poverty line earning an income of about $39 per month.

The mission to Holetta, Ethiopia was undertaken from January 22 to 26 following; receipt by the Director of the Joint ECA/FAO Agriculture Division of a request from the Head of the Training and Manpower Development Service of the Institute of Agricultural Research of Ethiopia for advice and assistance in servicing a national workshop on agricultural research.

The population of African countries is likely to double over the next twenty years. How will these nations be able to feed themselves if a substantial part of their food has to be imported, especially as most of these countries also have to import their energy? This is the real of challenge facing African countries at the close of this century.

This paper highlights the importance of food processing and preservation as an essential component of national strategic plans for food security. Features of indigenous technologies are discussed. Experiences in upgrading indigenous technologies for food processing in Africa as well as examples of current best practices are given.

This document focuses on the regional and sub regional intergovernmental organizations in Africa for the development of food and agriculture. There are about 50 sub regional and regional African intergovernmental organizations engaged wholly or partially in the development of food and agriculture. Some of these organizations have in turn sponsored interstate enterprises or organizations, which are run either under their own jurisdiction or independently.

La FAO effectue également une étude approfondie de l’agriculture en Afrique afin de créer la base du développement futur du secteur de l'agriculture. Les trois dernières années ont offert une occasion unique d'étudier dans le détail les problèmes et les potentialités (ou l'absence de potentialités) de l’agriculture. Les pays africains à développer leur agriculture grâce a une méthode bien planifiée et intégrée, de manière à Jeter des bases solides et à éviter à l'avenir des tragédies humaines comme celles de ces dernières années.

The objective of the OCAM, established en the basis of the solidarity existing between its member States is, in keeping with the spirit of the OAU, to strengthen co-operation and solidarity between African States and Mauritius, in order to accelerate their economic, social, technological and cultural development.

The paper focuses on provisional summary record of the sixteenth Meeting.