1. 1 21st Session of the African Commission on Agricultural Statistics Accra, Ghana, 28 - 31 October 2009

2. 2 Introduction This report presents information on national food and agricultural statistics systems in Africa It serves as the basis for designing cooperation programmes Its also serves as an advocacy tool for funding the development of agricultural statistical systems

3. 3 A total of 29 countries responded to the survey questionnaire, in time for analysis. There was another one that came late, this with others to come, will be included in the comprehensive report after AFCAS meeting. A reduction in response rate by 22% as compared to the one conducted in 2007 (see Chart 1)

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6. 6 Legal Framework About 96.2% countries have legal framework for general statistical activities as at 2009 64% countries have legal framework for agricultural statistical activities Less than 40% countries have active agricultural statistics advisory committee

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8. 8 Structure of the National Statistical System A statistical system decentralized by sector with a coordinating authority is dominant (44%) in African countries as at 2009 57% countries have a general statistical system at the sub-national level as at 2009 The Agricultural statistics office is mainly charged with the responsibility of producing agricultural statistics

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10. 10 Strategic Framework Operational NSDS has increased from 42% countries in 2007 to 68% in 2009 A few more countries have added programme of activities for general statistics – from 90.6% in 2007 to 95% in 2009 Operational NSAS has decreased from 68% countries in 2007 to 47% in 2009 A few more countries have added programme of activities for agricultural statistics – from 82% in 2007 to 93% in 2009

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13. 13 Dialogue with data users A larger proportion of countries dialogue with data users on ad-hoc basis in both 2007 and 2009

14. 14 Financial resources Comparing data between 2007 and 2009, there has not been any significant change in finances for agricultural statistics activities

15. 15 Human resources There has not been any significant change in human resources since 2007 East Africa has recorded the highest number of professional staff at headquarters since 2005 North Africa has recorded the highest number of professional staff at the regional or local offices for 2005, 2007 and 2009

16. 16 Table 4.6: Human Resources (2005-2009) Country Average no. of Prof. Staff in the HQ Average no. of Prof. staff in the regional/local office Average no. of support staff in the HQ Average no. of support staff in the regional/local offices 200520072009200520072009200520072009200520072009 North Africa 69811812319152133815396 West Africa 1012162232341191032556 Central Africa 14131683623781014823 East Africa 292335151372012028481779120160 Southern Africa 55801021410783847 Total Africa 1112343359261332876612

17. 17 International cooperation and external assistance The proportion of countries with long term experts/consultants have reduced from 20.8% in 2007 to 17.9% in 2009 Technical assistance projects have increased from 42.6% in 2007 to 60.7% in 2009 Existence of partnership with similar institutions abroad have increased from 16.3% in 2007 to 44.8% in 2009

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19. 19 Adoption of international classifications The adoption of Harmonized System classification (HS) is very high (about 80%) in African countries There has been an increase in the number of countries that use ISIC, CPC and SITC in 2009 as compared with 2007

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21. 21 Agricultural census A large proportion of countries, about 80%, have already conducted Agricultural Census ie 79.6% in 2007 as compared to 79.3% in 2009. There was a combination of sampling designs that were used, in 2007, 16.1% used cluster, 74.2% used stratified, 41.9% of respondents used systematic while in 2009, 4.3% for cluster, 82.6% for stratified and 43.5% for systematic. External financial support for agricultural census has increased from about 78% countries in 2007 to 87% in 2009. External technical support has reduced from 82% countries in 2007 to 74% in 2009 There would be a new series of agricultural census conducted in 9 countries between 2011 and 2020.

22. 22 Population census and Household budget survey (HBS) All countries that answered the questionnaire have conducted population census as at 2009 Almost all countries have conducted HBS – about 92.3% as at 2009 A total of 14 countries would be conducting population census between year 2010 and 2019

23. 23 Information technology Existence of website has increased for 66% countries in 2007 to 76% in 2009 Existence of database has also increased from 61% countries in 2007 to 70% in 2009 Average number computers at each country’s headquarters have increased from 30 in 2007 to 40 in 2009 Average number of PCs at local offices have reduced from 17 to 13 in 2007 and 2009 respectively

24. 24 Conclusions Reduced response rate to questionnaire as compare to previous surveys Legal framework for agric. Statistical activities in 70% countries Few countries enjoy external assistance in terms of experts/consultants and technical projects Dialogue with data users are done on ad-hoc basis

25. 25 Conclusion – Cont’d Majority of countries do not have regular training programme for staff There has not been any significant change in human resources handling the activities of agriculture statistics There has not been any significant change in financial resources for managing the affairs of agriculture statistics

26. 26 Recommendations Countries should be encouraged to participate in the survey as it serves as an advocacy tool for statistics development Enquiries could be made on countries that do not have a legal framework on agricultural activities and encourage them to establish one if possible External assistance could also be channeled to African countries as they form the majority in the world that is deprived in economic and social development

27. 27 Recommendations – cont’d The regularization of dialogue of agricultural statistics producers with users could be encouraged Human capacity building is essential in agricultural statistics development hence countries could be encouraged and supported in designing a regular program for staff training

28. 28 Recommendations – cont’d Some countries made it clear that due to lack of funds, they have not been consistent in the production of agricultural statistics. It is therefore recommended that great importance is attached to providing meaningful assistance to such African countries.

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