Agricultural Statistics

“The technical assistance in the analysis of agriculture data is important because it has built up our capacity. As a result of this capacity building, we are now able to analysis and give reliable and accurate output. Above all statistics quality has been improved.” Quote closing workshop participant

The aim of the agricultural statistics module is to assist the participating countries in improving the coverage and quality of different aspects of statistics on agriculture, food and fisheries.

Planned activities include but are not limited to technical advice regarding upcoming censuses, improved survey taking and processing capacity, and improved data analysis, integration and dissemination.

This module is particularly important given the fact that a large proportion of the national Gross Domestic Product in Africa is based on agriculture and a large percentage of the population lives in rural areas with many of them residing on small agriculture holdings.

Five countries have chosen Agricultural Statistics as subject for advice. Each of them identified its own priorities and developed a work program for data improvements that will be implemented throughout the life of the module.

Main outcomes (selection):

• Mozambique has received technical assistance with the main focus on building a Dissemination Plan for agriculture statistics. A two week course on Agriculture Statistics added to these efforts. 
• Sierra Leone has received a survey analysis and dissemination training including the introduction of databases (SPSS software).
• Ghana was assisted in the preparations for the census of agriculture, including the development of an agricultural survey. Various sample strategies were developed and explained, and several questionnaires discussed and improved.
• In Swaziland the questionnaires for agriculture surveys have been revised, and the data capture system improved. Also a  training on agriculture statistics was provided.
• Main efforts in Uganda led to the production of a plan for drawing a sample for the census of agriculture, and training on the development of food balance sheets and producer price index.