FAO has been active in water development ever since its inception in 1945. The three basic concerns shaping FAO's water programme are: to produce more food with less water; to protect water quality and the environment, including human health; and to close the food consumption and production gap, particularly in Africa. The Organization has a focus on "more crop for the drop" - irrigation methods for higher water productivity - and related technology transfer. FAO's specific water activities include: water resources inventories and evaluation; development of a global GIS-based water information system; a programme for water policy formulation and river basin planning; improved water use technologies and management tools; a programme on water development and irrigation expansion; and water quality control, conservation and environmental effects projects.

Areas of expertise: Nutrition, agricultural productivity, water development, animal and plant production for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, nutrition, food standards and commodities, economic and social policy, investment and trade

Media contact:
Christina Engfeldt
Director, Information Division, FAO
Via delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Rome, Italy
Tel: +39-06-5705 30 86
Fax: +39-06-5705 61 67
E-mail: Christina.Engfeld@fao.org