SPECIAL PROGRAMME FOR FOOD SECURITY

South-South Cooperation

The South-South Cooperation (SSC) initiative was launched by FAO in 1996, within the framework of the Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS). Its objective is to enhance an effective solidarity among the developing countries and to allow the recipient countries to benefit from the relevant experience and expertise of more advanced developing countries in food production.

The SSC initiative enables the delivery of technical assistance from more advanced developing countries to specific recipient countries participating in the SPFS. This technical assistance consists of a combination of a few senior staff and a substantial number of technicians with strong practical field experience in agriculture who work directly with farmers in the rural communities involved in the Special Programme. The duration of assignment for these experts and field technicians is for two to three years. It is expected that the teams will not only introduce improved ways of bringing about sustainable and replicable agricultural development, but also, through their commitment and example, serve as an important stimulus for change within the communities to which they are assigned. The number of experts and technicians to be provided under this initiative should be determined on a case-by-case basis, but should be sufficient to achieve a critical mass with site coverage adequate to represent all agro-ecological zones of the country. The experts and technicians are fielded in a phased manner over the duration of the assignment.

South-South Cooperation is gaining continuous momentum. More than 20 advanced developing countries have expressed their intentions to send experts and field technicians to assist the low-income, food-deficit countries. By May 2001, 21 SSC agreements had been signed, while another 16 such agreements have been formulated and likely to be signed in the near future. In May 2001, 270 SSC participants were already in place in 11 countries.

For assistance in preparing South-South Cooperation agreements see:

• Draft Sample Tripartite Agreement between the Government of the "Host Country", the Government of the "Cooperating Country and FAO
  

For complete information on SPFS project formulation and implementation see:

• SPFS Funding Arrangements
• Special Programme for Food Security Intranet site (for FAO staff use only)
• Special Programme for Food Security web site (for all users)