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

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50

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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

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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

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Institutional Infrastructure Resources Statistical Methods and Practices Availability of Statistical Information

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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