Food Conservation Should Receive Greater Attention in AID Agricultural Assistance Policies and Programs

Gao ID: ID-82-29 June 3, 1982

Inefficient agricultural systems cost developing countries billions of dollars annually in lost food. Previously, GAO has recommended that the Agency for International Development (AID) give more attention to the storage, distribution, and marketing systems in these countries. GAO conducted this review to determine what actions AID has taken and should take to reduce food loss. GAO examined agricultural policies and guidelines, reviewed the projects in Senegal and the Philippines, and considered the results of one project in Panama.

GAO found that food conservation is an area that requires AID to work closely with the host countries in dealing with problems which limit performance of current projects. AID should also provide incentives to reduce food losses and initiate stronger programs through its missions. By adopting policies which foster consideration of post-harvest storage, handling, processing, and marketing in conjunction with production projects, and by providing guidance to the overseas missions for developing specific projects, AID could more successfully realize the potential for increasing food availability through food conservation as well as production.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Samuel W. Bowlin Team: General Accounting Office: International Division Phone: (202) 275-5790


The Justia Government Accountability Office site republishes public reports retrieved from the U.S. GAO These reports should not be considered official, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Justia.