Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its full name is the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The agency works to improve the production, distribution, and use of food and other products of the world’s farms, forests, and fisheries. Its goals include raising the level of nutrition and the standard of living of all people, especially the rural poor. Most member countries of the UN belong to the FAO.
The FAO works in four ways. (1) It provides technical advice and assistance on behalf of governments and development funding agencies. (2) It collects, analyzes, and distributes information. (3) It advises governments on agricultural policy and planning. (4) It acts as a neutral forum where governments can discuss food and agricultural issues.
The FAO and the United Nations co-sponsor the World Food Programme. This program uses food surpluses and cash from donor nations to provide emergency relief and to stimulate development. The FAO was set up in 1945. It has headquarters in Rome.
