International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID)

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), established in 1950

is the leading scientific, technical and not-for-profit Non-Governmental

Organization (NGO). ICID, through its network of professionals spread across

more than a hundred countries, has facilitated sharing of experiences and transfer

of water management technology for over half-a-century. ICID supports capacity

development, stimulates research and innovation and strives to promote

policies and programs to enhance sustainable development of irrigated

agriculture through a comprehensive water management framework.

Mission and Purpose

The mission of ICID is to stimulate and promote the development and application of the arts,

sciences and techniques of engineering, agriculture, economics, ecological and social sciences in

managing water and land resources for irrigation, drainage, flood management, for achieving

sustainable agriculture water management.

ICID is dedicated to enhance the world wide supply of food and fibre for all people and believes that

food security at various levels: global, national, local and household, and provision of assured

livelihood starts with stable agriculture production. ICID encourages public private partnership in

development and management of water resources.

History ICID

In 1946, the Central Board of Irrigation and Power (CBIP) (a non-official national organization

comprising heads of the irrigation services in all the States of India and entrusted with the tasks of

encouraging and coordinating research relating to, and developments, in irrigation techniques)

requested the Government of India to invite the Governments of other countries to cooperate with

them in the setting up of a non-governmental international organization for the development of the

science and technique of irrigation. The response to the invitation from Government of India was

encouraging and the International Commission on Irrigation and Canals was set up with support

from 11 countries as Founder Members (Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Italy, Netherlands, Serbia

(former Yugoslavia), Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey) and its Secretariat (Central Office)

located in New Delhi, India, at a meeting held at Simla (India) on 24 June 1950 when a provisional

constitution was adopted. The Constitution was finalized at the First International Executive Council

meeting of the Commission, held in Delhi (India) in January, 1951 and the name of the Commission

changed to International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage. The Commission at its 8th meeting

held in April 1957 widened the scope of the Commission by including in its function the subject of

flood control and river training.

url : http://www.icid.org/

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO)

To make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

FAO creates and shares critical information about food, agriculture and natural resources in the form

of global public goods. But this is not a one-way flow. We play a connector role, through identifying

and working with different partners with established expertise, and facilitating a dialogue between

those who have the knowledge and those who need it. By turning knowledge into action, FAO links

the field to national, regional and global initiatives in a mutually reinforcing cycle. By joining forces,

we facilitate partnerships for food and nutrition security, agriculture and rural development

between governments, development partners, civil society and the private sector.

Our three main goals are:

1. the eradication of hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition;

2. the elimination of poverty and the driving forward of economic and social progress for all;

and,

3. the sustainable management and utilization of natural resources, including land, water, air,

climate and genetic resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

url : http://www.fao.org/

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

In 2012, USDA commemorated and celebrated its 150th anniversary. Founded in 1862,

President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress establishing the United

States Department of Agriculture.

Two and one-half years later, in what would be his final annual message to the

Congress; Lincoln called USDA "The People's Department." At that time, about half of all

Americans lived on farms, compared with about 2 percent today. But through our work

on food, agriculture, economic development, science, natural resource conservation and

a host of issues, USDA still fulfills Lincoln's vision - touching the lives of every American,

every day.

Mission Statement

We provide leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, rural development, nutrition, and

related issues based on sound public policy, the best available science, and efficient management.

Vision Statement

To expand economic opportunity through innovation, helping rural America to thrive; to promote

agriculture production sustainability that better nourishes Americans while also helping feed others

throughout the world; and to preserve and conserve our Nation's natural resources through

restored forests, improved watersheds, and healthy private working lands.

Strategic Plan Framework

USDA has created a strategic plan to implement its vision. The framework of this plan depends on

these key activities: expanding markets for agricultural products and support international economic

development, further developing alternative markets for agricultural products and activities,

providing financing needed to help expand job opportunities and improve housing, utilities and

infrastructure in rural America, enhancing food safety by taking steps to reduce the prevalence of

foodborne hazards from farm to table, improving nutrition and health by providing food assistance

and nutrition education and promotion, and managing and protecting America's public and private

lands working cooperatively with other levels of government and the private sector.

USDA Programs and Services

1. Assisting Rural Communities

Broadband

This program is designed to provide loans for funding, on a technology neutral basis, for the costs of

construction, improvement, and acquisition of facilities and equipment to provide broadband service

to eligible rural communities.

Disaster Assistance

Natural disaster is a constant threat to America's farmers and ranchers and rural residents. USDA

provides assistance for losses that result from drought, flood, fire, freeze, tornadoes, pest

infestation, and other calamities.

Grants and Loans

Insurance Programs

To help users better understand crop and livestock insurance, USDA provides critical tools and policy

and reinsurance agreement information and details the insurance cycle from the application process

to the claims process.

2. Conservation

Environmental Markets

The Office of Environmental Markets (OEM) supports the Secretary in the development of emerging

markets for carbon sequestration, water quality, wetlands, biodiversity, and other ecosystem

services. OEM was established in response to the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008,

America's Farm Bill.

Conservation

Conservation programs within USDA assist owners of America's private land with conserving their

soil, water, and other natural resources. Certain programs also provide financial assistance for

agricultural producers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and pests.

Wildfire Prevention

The Forest Service manages wildland fire to protect human life, welfare, and property. The Agency

also manages wildland fire to restore and maintain the health of ecosystems on which Americans

depend for clean water, oxygen, carbon sequestration, recreation, forest products, biodiversity,

beauty, and other resource benefits.

3. Education and Research

Agricultural Research

Advances in agricultural productivity have led to abundant and affordable food and fiber throughout

most of the developed world. The major goals of this ARS research program are to quantify

productivity improvements, and the sources of improvement, and to investigate the direction and

efficiency of the public and private sectors in enhancing the stock of agricultural knowledge and in

developing new technologies.

Agricultural Statistics

A collection of data, analysis, and statistics from the Economic Research Service, Foreign Agricultural

Service, and National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Economic Research

The Economic Research Service is a primary source of economic information and research in the U.S.

Department of Agriculture. ERS conducts a research program to inform public and private decision

making on economic and policy issues involving food, farming, natural resources, and rural

development.

4. Food and Nutrition

Child Nutrition Programs

USDA announced a proposed rule that would increase the availability of fruits, vegetables, whole

grains, and fat-free and low-fat fluid milk in school meals; and reduce the levels of sodium and

saturated fat in meals. Implementation of this proposed rule would result in more nutritious school

meals and help improve the nutrition and health of children across the country.

Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)

EFNEP operates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and 6 U.S. territories and targets limited-

resource adults with young children and limited-resource youth. It uses an evidence-based, peer-

educator interactive teaching model, which makes learning relevant and meaningful for participants.

EFNEP consistently leads to improved food choices and physical activity behaviors.

Organic Program

USDA's National Organic Program regulates the standards for any farm, wild crop harvesting, or

handling operation that wants to sell an agricultural product as organically produced.

SNAP

SNAP helps put food on the table for some 31 million people per month in FY 2009. It provides low-

income households with electronic benefits they can use like cash at most grocery stores. SNAP is

the cornerstone of the Federal food assistance programs, and provides crucial support to needy

households and to those making the transition from welfare to work.

WIC

WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition

education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and

to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

5. Marketing and Trade

Exporting Goods

To promote and assist exportation, USDA offers a variety of valuable tools, services, policies and

research to assist new and experienced exporters in all the stages necessary for getting their product

out to their desired market.

Food Security

USDA conducts and provides research on food security and hunger in U.S. households and

communities. This research facilitates informed public debate regarding food security, and its impact

on the well-being of children, adults, families, and communities, as well as its relationship to public

policies, public assistance programs, and the economy.

Importing Goods

While foreign regulatory systems need not be identical to the U.S. system, they must employ

equivalent sanitary and health measures that provide the same level of protection achieved

domestically for imported goods.

url : http://www.usda.gov/