Chief of the Population Programme Service
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations

Dr. Villarreal, a native of Columbia, is a specialist in Systems Engineering and Anthropology. Since 1996 she has served as Senior Population officer at FAO. In her presentation, she will present a picture of how HIV/AIDS impacts food security at the household, community, and national level and how FAO is responding to conditions where significant portions of the rural population—and even the agricultural extension officers—have succumbed to the disease. The death toll from AIDS is highest among people in the productive age groups. Dr. Villarreal believes that agricultural extension programs must change, and policies must be implemented to serve those who are left to farm, such as orphans and the elderly.