How is FAO responding to the threat?
We are an institution that deals mainly with hunger and rural development. Because of the impact of HIV/AIDS on these two related issues, the Organization is making sure that the disease is adequately taken into account in all of its relevant areas of work. Many times this requires rethinking our approach. For example, we want to make sure that in AIDS-affected rural areas, agricultural activities will be adapted to the changing conditions. We need to re-think the agricultural policy we promote. We want to make sure we are not promoting crops that need a lot of farm labour. Needs are changing for agricultural extension as parts of the population die and even the extension officers succumb to the disease. Agricultural extension must change to serve those who are left to farm, such as orphans and the elderly. What about preventing the spread of the disease? Rural people in developing countries, who traditionally have poor access to information and low literacy levels, are more vulnerable
