Food and Agricultural Statistics

Despite an increasing awareness of the importance of statistics in planning social and economic development, most developing countries do not have an adequate statistical system. In particular, statistical development is slow and agricultural censuses and surveys are often taken in isolation from each other and the uses the results are to serve. Further, there is often a lack of understanding and coordination between statistical agencies and economic analysis, planning and decision-making offices.

The collection, processing, analysis, dissemination and use of data are costly and time-consuming processes requiring trained personnel, organization, transport and related facilities and services. It is essential to use such resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner and to develop an integrated system of food and agricultural statistics as a component of the National Statistics System.

The agricultural census is a key component of this integrated system providing a unique set of data on the structure of the agricultural sector. FAO has been promoting the decennial Programme for the World Census of Agriculture for more than 50 years. This programme provides definitions, concepts, standards and guidelines to help countries generate databases that are internationally comparable. It also provides general guidelines for conducting an agricultural census, methodological considerations for country staff engaged in this activity, the items to be included and proposals for processing, tabulating and disseminating the data collected.

In countries that have limited or no experience of conducting an agricultural census, FAO can provide technical assistance in support of the preparatory activities for the census in the form of advice and training on methodological issues, planning, organization and data collection, processing, analysis and dissemination. FAO can also provide technical assistance in the implementation of the actual census if the Government can make funds available for such assistance from its own resources or from external budgetary assistance.

 

SEE NORMATIVE FRAMEWORK:

SEE PROJECT EXAMPLES:

USEFUL FAO LINKS: