Approach to Assistance

FAS manages USDA technical assistance, training and cooperative programs with other nations to help build stable economies and a more prosperous world. Emphasized are government-to-government institutional development, with the goal of achieving sustainable agricultural production, mutual economic growth, conservation of natural resources, and a protected environment. FAS’ approach is to utilize all pertinent capabilities of USDA’s 19 technical and program agencies in its overseas work, as well as the expertise of Land-Grant Universities throughout the United States. Projects span a wide variety of agricultural sectors and disciplines, reflect the types of programs carried out by USDA services and agencies, and operate in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and the Former Soviet Union.

FAS negotiates and coordinates working agreements between USDA agencies and institutions interested in enlisting USDA assistance in international development projects. Since the Department receives no appropriated funding for foreign assistance, USDA project services are provided on a cost-reimbursable basis to donors and cooperating countries. Assistance is furnished on either long- or short-term assignments.

Current funding partners include the (1) United States Agency for International Development, which sponsors the largest part of DRD’s portfolio, and (2) the World Bank, which is enlisting USDA participation in the Ecuador Agricultural Census Project.

Institutions that have worked with USDA agencies through FAS include: the Inter-American Development Bank, African Development Bank, Food and Agriculture Organization, United Nations Development Programme, World Food Program, and International Atomic Energy Agency.

Agreements with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

FAS is involved in numerous activities affecting international agricultural development, and most of this work is performed under reimbursable agreements with USAID, pursuant to its delegated authority under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (FAA). Additional reimbursable agreements with USAID that focus on the Former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe are authorized by the Freedom Support Act of 1992 and the Support to Eastern European Democracies Act of 1989. USAID agreements enlist the unique personnel resources, capabilities and experience of USDA on a partnership basis to plan, execute and evaluate those USAID programs for which USDA has special competence.

In managing and implementing activities funded by USAID, FAS draws upon the technical, programmatic and regulatory expertise of USDA agencies to furnish broad technical and institutional support for USAID/Washington and its Missions overseas. In 2003 FAS' activities with USAID are carried out by a full-time workforce of approximately 148 persons who provide advisory and project-management services. The workforce is comprised of USDA employees and advisors under Land-Grant University agreements. Of these approximately 103 are detailed to a USAID/Washington project to carry out specific long-term activities, and 10 are stationed at USAID Missions in Botswana, Kenya, Senegal, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and the Russian Federation. The remaining 35 are FAS employees who provide management, technical and administrative support to this group.