1
Action Plan of the Global Strategy for Improving Statistics for Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture & Rural
Development in Africa (2011-2015)
04-07 December 2013, Rabat, Morocco
Results of the 2013 Country Assessment of Agricultural Statistics Systems and conclusions and recommendations of the Workshop on ASCI
Vincent Ngendakumana Statistical Capacity Building Division Statistics Department Economic Complex African Development Bank
1. Justification 1. Lack of updated and comprehensive baseline information
for the M&E system
2. Complete assessment of the statistical needs and capabilities + State of produced/disseminated data + methodology used
3. Development of national strategies/Action Plans + Integration of agricultural statistics into the overall NSDS.
4. Prioritization of activities according to country actual needs.
2. Nature of needed information Data produced and their quality (minimum set of core data) National capacity to produce sustainably the required minimum
core data (legal framework, infrastructure/equipment, human resources, financial resources, etc..)
Auxiliary data (Re administrative data) Country governance structure (Re responsibility and
coordination, etc.) National current/future needs and demands Status of integration of agriculture into the NSS needs,
development of a master sample frame, integrated survey framework, etc.
Identification of constraints and critical areas of intervention; and Data user satisfaction Determination of training and TA needs Etc.
3. Expected outputs Country profiles and identification of countries
requiring special attention; Grouping and ranking countries in terms of data
quality and statistical development levels; Elaboration of relevant and appropriate national plans
of action; To guide the choice of methods to develop the master
sampling frame, the integrated survey framework, and the data management system;
Prioritizing the areas of intervention; and M&E baseline information and progress assessment.
4. Country Assessment process – Which Approach
Country assessment operations
Designing an appropriate questionnaire and guidelines for data collection/compilation, a web-based system, ASCI templates, Data tabulation, etc.;
Field testing and validating tools (questionnaires, etc.); Training of data collectors and launching workshop; Establishing national governance structures Data collection/compilation + CA follow-up missions; Data checking, processing and indicator calculations; Data analysis; and Reporting on country profiles/ranking/grouping, database
of baseline information, and building indicators of data quality and statistical development.
5. Overview of the Country Assessment Questionnaire
Overview of the Country Assessment Questionnaire Module I: Overview of the National Statistical System - Section 1 – Institutional environment - Section 2 – Core data availability Module II: NSO ongoing statistical activities & constraints - Section 1: Main statistical activities - Section 2: Critical constraints in agriculture statistics system Module III: Information on sub-sectors of agriculture - Section 1: Main statistical activities of the sub-sectors - Section 2: Critical constraints in agriculture statistics system Excel templates - Reporting on minimum core data set - Quality of minimum core data set
6. Reporting Status
Reporting status of different CA cycles
2007 2009 2013
Response number 49 33 42
0
10
20
30
40
50
60R
esp
oo
nse
nu
mb
er
Chart 1 - Trend of CA data reporting
Reporting status of different CA cycles (Cn’t)
Reporting Status by 2013 CAQ module
Module 1 Module 2 Module 3
Total Complete 41 30 17
Total Incomplete 1 11 21
Total Missing 12 13 16
CAQ
NB: - By 29 Nov 2013, 10 other CAQ have been received: Algeria, Chad, Comoros, Cong Rep, Eq. Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Libya, Somalia and Zimbabwe - 2 Non reporting countries: CAR and Eritrea - 14 Countries provided complementary info: Burkina Faso, DRC, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, Liberia, Madagascar, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal, RSA and Togo
6. Method for calculating Agric Stat Capacity Indicators (ASCI) for Africa
Agricultural Statistics Capacity Assessment Framework
The proposed framework follows a Total Quality
Management (TQM) approach. In addition to focusing on results chain of INPUT -THROUGHOUT- OUTPUT, it recognizes that realization of capacity into performance also needs an enabling environment, which is captured by inclusion of PREREQUISITES dimension (pre-conditions), mostly characterized by the prevailing institutional infrastructure
Agricultural Statistics Capacity Dimensions
Four dimensions are considered to measure the capacity of each country/NSS/NASS to produce Agricultural Statistics:
Prerequisites Dimension – Indicators on Institutional infrastructure;
Input Dimension – Indicators on Resources; Throughout Dimension – Indicators on Statistical
methods and practices; Output Dimension – Indicators on Availability of
statistical information.
Composite ASCIS: Aggregation of the four Dimensions Each of the 4 dimensions represents a set of elements of
capacity.
Agricultural Statistics Capacity Elements by Dimension
Capacity Dimensions Elements
I. Institutional Infrastructure (PREREQUISITES)
1.1 Legal Framework 1.2 Coordination in Statistical System 1.3 Strategic Vision and Planning 1.4 Integration of Agric. in NSS 1.5 Relevance (user interface)
II. Resources (INPUT DIMESNION)
2.1 Financial Resources 2.2 Human Resources: Staffing 2.3 Human Resources: Training 2.4 Physical Infrastructure
III. Statistical Methods and Practices (THROUGHPUT DIMENSION)
3.1 Statistical Software Capability 3.2 Data Collection Technology 3.3 IT infrastructure 3.4 General Statistical Infrastructure 3.5 Adoption of International Standards 3.6General Statistical Activities 3.7 Agricultural Market and Price Information 3.8 Agricultural Surveys 3.9 Analysis and Use of Data 3.10 Quality Consciousness
IV. Availability of Statistical Information (OUTPUT DIMENSION)
4.1 Core Data Availability 4.2 Timeliness 4.3 Overall Data Quality Perception 4.4 Data Accessibility
Scoring the Capacity Elements
Each of the Capacity Element is explained by a number
of CA questions. Scores are affected to different modalities of concerned questions;
A total score is deducted (in %) for each Element; An average score (in %) is calculated for all Elements
of each Dimension; Composite ASCI: Average (in %) of the 4 dimensions.
Example of compiling ASCI for Legal Framework Element
Relevant questions: Q 1.2.1: “Is there a legal or statutory basis for statistical
activities in the country in general?” If “Yes” to Q1.2.1, Is it operational? Q 1.2.2: “Does there exist a legal basis for collection of
agricultural statistics?” Q1.2.2a If “Yes” to 1.2.2, how adequate is the legal
framework for agriculture statistics? (1) Inadequate (2) Fairly adequate (3) Fully adequate.
Example of Scoring criteria for Legal Framework Element
Max. Score = 5 marks
If. 1.2.1 Yes 1 mark No 0 marks
Operational Yes 1 mark No 0 marks
If. 1.2.2 Yes 1 mark No 0 marks
If 1.2.2a Fully adequate 2 marks Fairly adequate 1 mark Inadequate 0 marks
Indicator = (Total Country Score/ Maximum Score) x 100
Mapping Standard ASCIs to Africa context
Maximum score reviewed in line with the actual number
of questions under each Capacity Element. Score of each Question reviewed to align it to actual
modalities. Summing Scores of the same relevant questions in
Module III (E.g.: Number of staff, etc.).
-> Mapping Questions to Indicators (Standard <> Africa) has been established to easy the result interpretation and enable comparability between Africa and other regions
7. ASCI Main Results for Africa
Agric. Statistics Capacity Indicators (ASCIs)
0
20
40
60
80
100Legal framework
Coordination in NSS
Strategic vision and agric.stat planning
Integration of agric in NSS
Relevance of data
Prerequisite s- Level of Institutional Infrastructure in Africa
Country Profile – Case of Uganda
020406080
100
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Institutional Infrastructure Resources Statistical Methods and Practices Availability of Statistical Information
Cap
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%)
Capacity elements
Profile of Agriculture Statistics System - Uganda
Uganda
Africa
Very weak (0-20%), Weak (20-40%), Average (40-60%), Strong (60-80%), Very strong (80-100%)
8. Other CA Tabulated Data
Legal and administrative framework for the collection of statistics - 2013
100 100 92.7
7.3 5.3
39.5
55.3
68.6
22.9
8.6
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Yes Yes Yes No Inadequate Fairly adequate
Fully adequate
Exists and active
Exists but not active
Does not exist
Existence of legal or
statutory basis for statistical
activities in country
Is it operational
Existence of a legal basis for collection of agric.
stats
How adequate is the legal framework for agric stats.
Existence of an active NS council, board or committee
Perc
ent
Legal framework
Dialogue with data users- 2007, 2009 and 2013
Existence of an official forum for dialogue between
suppliers and users of agricultural
statistics
Year of data collection
2007 2009 2013
Frequency % Frequency % Frequency %
Yes 23 46.9% 15 50.0% 17 40.5%
No 26 53.1% 15 50.0% 25 59.5%
Subtotal 49 100.0% 30 100.0% 42 100.0%
Information technology – 2013
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Yes No Yes No Yes No
NSO has website for hosting official statistics
Existence of database for official statistics
Accessibility of database to external users on internet
100
0
72.5
27.5
72.4
27.6
Perc
ent
level of Information Technology
9. Outlines of the Main Report
Contents of the main report Introduction and background
Design and methodology Experience, lesson learnt, constraints and reporting status Results of the CA (+ comparative analysis of 2007/09/13): - Agricultural statistics capacity indicators - Agricultural statistics capacity indicators - State of the national statistical system - Level of resources availability for agricultural statistical activities - Status of ongoing statistical activities - Other related statistical activities - Critical constraints in agricultural statistics systems - Conclusions and Recommendations Country profiles Supplementary tables
10. Experience and lessons learnt Requirement to adapt the standard CA instruments to the
regional context and specificities Importance of field-testing the CA instruments Development of a web-based application for data
submission Usefulness of the training workshop on CA instruments
and process CA follow-up missions + emails and telephone calls, data
checks and the validation process Development of an adapted Excel Model to generate
ASCIs and Charts Going beyond the simple ASCI calculation: Trend and
comparative analysis of CA cycle data Workshop for countries to review/endorse/own CA
results
11. Main constraints met
Repetitive revisions of the standard version of the CA questionnaire after the Africa one was finalizes and already administrated to countries: -> Mapping Africa <> Standard
Unavailability of a comprehensive and detailed guidelines for the completion of the questionnaire
The follow-up and monitoring of timely responses from countries is quite exigent: Quid Module III
12. Conclusions and recommendations of the workshop on ASCI for Africa
Objectives of the Workshop
To review, validate and launch ASCIs that aim at measuring the capacity of countries to produce food, agricultural and rural statistics.
To secure agreement on the way forward, to ensure a unified approach backed by strong country ownership.
Training on the use of the In-depth Country Assessment and SPARS Guidelines.
NSCs thereafter expected to organize national data user-producer workshops to initiate In-depth Assessments of their countries’ specific needs and capacities and develop SPARS.
Agenda of the workshop
Session 1: Topics and discussion of the First Stage of Country Assessment (CA) process and results (1.5 day)
Session 2: Guidelines on the In-Depth Country Assessment (IdCA) process
Session 3: Guidelines on the Sectoral Strategic Plans of Agricultural and Rural Statistics (SSPARS)
Session 4: Validation of CA/ASCI results and way forward
Organization of the workshop
Venue and date: Rabat, Morocco, 27-29 Nov 2013 Attendance: 85 participants, from 50 Afric. And 6
Inter. And Reg. institutions Workshop report prepared: including main
conclusions, recommendations and way forward
Main conclusions
Approval of the ASCI methodology Approval of the structure of the country profile and CA
report outlines The workshop marked the end of receiving country
responses on the CA Questionnaire and revised data AfDB to finalize both ASCI and CA main report based on
the latest information/data received
Main recommandations
Proposal for a Communication Strategy for wide dissemination of CA results
Develop a mechanism to coordinate all stakeholders concerned to avoid duplication of efforts and resources
Best country practices to be compiled and be shared through communication means such as websites
Support should be given to countries to build agriculture statistical capacity based on the needs identified by the workshop
Develop follow-up mechanism to closely supervise countries and regularly monitor implementation of the Action Plan where needed
Main recommandations (Cnt’)
Consistent sensitization campaign should be carried out in all countries to support timely implementation of the Action Plan
The official forum for dialogue between data users and producers could be enhanced by identifying the concerns associated with countries which are unable to have such platforms and address them accordingly
Country governments are called upon to mobilize adequate financial and human resources needed for timely and successful implementation of the Action Plan
Priority to be given to countries which have not received TA during the last 3 years (additional criteria when selecting/ grouping countries for the phased implementation of the AP
To undertake strategic plans for agriculture and rural statistics to be developed without delay (IdCA being part of SPARS)
Way forward
Actions Deadlines Responsible party
1 Presentation of the workshop report to the 23rd AFCAS Session 4th December 2013 AfDB
2 Establishment of National Governance Structures where this is not yet done 31st March 2014 Countries
3 Strategy for disseminating the CA results 31st January 2014 AfDB 4 Finalize ASCIs and CA Main report, Flyer, etc 31st January 2014 AfDB
5 Testing/Piloting SPARS 28th February 2014 AfDB and FAO
6 Compiling and documenting country IdCA experiences (Uganda, Tanzania, Mali, Burkina Faso, etc.) 28th February 2014
AfDB and FAO
7 Standards SPARS guidelines 31st March 2014 FAO
8 Launching SPARS development/formulation (incl. IdCA) – Regional workshop mid April 2014 AfDB
9 Finalize the schedule of key short-term activities (TAs) 31st January 2014 AfDB
10 Communication, AfDB quarterly Bulletins and GO eBulletins -
AfDB and FAO
11 CA mid-term review (in 2015) 2015 AfDB and Countries
12 Installation in the first six countries and one regional training of DataM 31st March 2014
JRC/EU and AfDB
Request to the 23rd Session of AFCAS: To endorse the outcome of the ASCI workshop: Main conclusions, recommendations and way forward
Thank you for your kind attention
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