Importance and Uses of Agricultural Statistics

1. Importance and Uses of Agricultural Statistics Section B

2. Conceptual Framework to Improve Agricultural Statistics In order to respond to increasingly diverse data demands, international organizations have developed the conceptual framework to include the social, environmental and economic aspects of agricultural activities.

3. Three Pillars of the Conceptual Framework • Identify a minimum set of core data • Integrate agriculture into the national statistical system • Improve sustainability through governance and capacity building

4. What is an Integrated Statistical System? • All statistics in a country functioning as part of a whole • Common definitions and concepts • Coordinated planning for efficient use of resources • Common sampling frames

5. The Conceptual Framework for Agricultural Statistics

6. Scope of Agricultural Statistics • Use international standards to guide expanded definitions and concepts • SEEA • ISIC • CPC • Coordination among agencies responsible for various areas is necessary for an integrated national statistical system

7. Coverage of Agricultural Statistics • Units of enumeration: • Household agricultural holdings • Agricultural establishments • Rural households • Relationships for analysis • Household • Agricultural holding • Land parcel

8. Identifying the Core Data Set • Select data items that: • Contribute to multiple indicators • Are important to national accounts • Monitor progress toward MDGs • Represent significant land use • Contribute to farm and household welfare • Have an effect on the environment

9. Core Crop Items Wheat, maize, barley, sorghum, rice, sugar cane, soybeans and cotton • Area planted and harvest, yield and production • Amounts in storage • Area of cropland irrigated • Producer and consumer prices • Amounts utilized for own consumption • Early warning indications

10. Core Livestock Items Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and poultry: • Inventory and annual births • Products (meat, milk, eggs and wool) • Net trade, imports and exports • Producer and consumer prices

11. Core Aquaculture Items Core products determined by contribution to food supplies and land/water usage • Aquaculture: • Area cultured, production, prices, and net trade or imports and exports • Capture fisheries: • Quantity landed/discarded, days fished, amounts processed for food/nonfood, prices, and imports and exports

12. Core Forestry Items Core forestry items should reflect major land use and income provision: • Area in woodlands and forests • Quantities of timber/trees removed • Prices for agricultural holding products and uses • Prices for non-agricultural holding products and prices

13. Core Agricultural Inputs Includes labor, chemical, water, energy and investments in agriculture (i.e. equipment) • Fertilizers and pesticides used by quantity • Water and energy consumed • Capital stocks by purpose • Workers hired • Employment of household members

14. Core Socioeconomic Data Agricultural and rural households’ characteristics and household income by source, including periodic data on: • Number of households and population • Age and sex • Employment • Education levels

15. Environmental Items Land cover can demonstrate the environmental impact of agriculture with remote sensing showing land cover classified into: Settlements Water Other • Cropland • Forest • Grassland • Wetlands

16. Rural Development Items Public expenditures on subsidies and infrastructure in rural areas such as health and education, including: • Roads • Transport • Communications • Agricultural extension services

17. Setting National Priorities • Include significant items in the country’s value of production • Items with varying production levels if they are a source of risk for vulnerable groups • Items that account for majority of land use • Exclude items produced by few holdings

18. Developing the National Statistical Plan • Determine appropriate rural development indicators, considering MDGs • For each core and additional item determine: • Frequency of collection • Level of detail • Coverage • Consultation with stakeholders and data users

19. Decision Table Example

20. Section B Quiz • In your own words, what is the conceptual framework? • What is an integrated system of statistics? • What are the main categories of recommended core data items (hint: there are 8 total)? • What must be balanced when setting national priorities?