Uruguay: The Thematic Group structures its activities in a Program for Rural Development and Food Security

"Programa DERSA" (Rural Development and Food Security Programme) is the name under which the Thematic Group in Uruguay has set up it activities, starting from the pilot experience already developing in Caraguatá province (a part of Tacuarembó) between January 2002 and March 2003.

DERSA is an initiative by the municipal administration of Tacuarembó and the Commission for Development of Caraguatá, with the cooperation of different United Nations agencies (FAO, OPS/WHO and UNDP) in the framework of the National Thematic Group and with the support of GTZ (German cooperation), the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), the National Administration for Public Education/ Council of Primary Education (ANEP/CEP) and the Latinoamerican Centre for Human Economy (CLAEH).

This project aims to strengthen the local capacities for development to improve productivity and commercialization between farming producers, promoting healthy livelihoods and healthy habits of consumption, with the active participation of local organizations, civil society and the net of rural schools. A group of experts provide technical support working in coordination with local institutions under the overview of UN agencies.

The planned activities included in the project are:

• assisting local organizations administration,
• extension and strengthening of the network of social organizations,
• training farming producers on diversified production for self-consumption and potentialities for commercialization,
• promoting school projects on health habits of consumption, focusing on nutrition issues,
• organization of free-time activities for strengthening social links and quality of life,
• providing support didactic material (guides, crops calendars, leaflets on prevention, etc),
• campaign in the local media

The Thematic Group has already received a number of requests for similar activities in other areas within the Department. The possibility of extending this project to other provinces is already being taken into consideration, specifically in Montevideo area.

Meanwhile the oppportunity of an involvement of the FIDA-MERCOSUR regional project within the DERSA program is being studied, focusing on the issue of commercialization of medicinal plants.

During the last TG meeting it was decided that World Food Day (October 16th), World Day on Poverty Eradication (October 17th) and International Day for Rural Women will be held in Caraguatá.

For having a copy of the "Programa DERSA"printed in Spanish please write to our Secretariat at rdfs-net@fao.org.

For further information contact the FAO office in Uruguay: FAO-URY@field.fao.org.