Which organization is analogous to a worldwide department of agriculture?

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is the correct answer because it is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. It aims to ensure that everyone has regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives, much like a national department of agriculture would oversee agricultural practices, food production, and policies at a country level.

The FAO's role includes gathering and disseminating information, providing technical assistance to countries, and promoting sustainable agricultural practices, which mirror the functions of a national department of agriculture on a global scale. This focus on food and agriculture underlines its significance as a worldwide source of policy development and support in these areas.

In contrast, the other organizations mentioned have different primary focuses. The World Health Organization is primarily concerned with public health issues. The Codex Alimentarius Commission creates international food safety and quality standards, and the International Trade Organization focuses on global trade regulations rather than agriculture specifically.