UK gives FAO $25m to improve agric stats worldwide

The UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) has signed an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to donate £16 million ($25 million) to support an innovative new global partnership that will improve the agricultural statistics available to governments and farmers around the world.

“The contribution covers the programme’s first phase, from 2012 to 2016, and will support mainly African and Asian countries,” the FAO said in a statement April 4, 2012 adding “emphasis is on improving how governments organize and manage their statistical systems and on technical assistance and staff training in national statistics offices and ministries of agriculture.”

The statement indicated that DFID’s contribution will also support research to identify innovative approaches for cost-efficient data collection, analysis and dissemination. “This includes digital and georeferencing technology and devices, such as smartphones, GPS and satellites,” it adds.

The Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics builds capacity of developing countries to produce and use agricultural and rural statistics for more effective food security, sustainable agricultural and rural development policies and helps makes the information available to farmers when and where they need it.

“Empowering farmers can change their lives. By improving statistics, this programme will contribute to this goal,” says FAO Director-General José Graziano da Silva.

By Ekow Quandzie