FAO Government of Japan - Food and Agriculture

FAO Government of Japan

Evaluation

of

Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific

Countries (GCP/RAS/171/JPN)

and

Strengthening Regional Data Exchange System on Food

and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries

(GCP/RAS/184/JPN)

Report of the Evaluation Mission

June 2002

GCPRAS171JPN_2002_ER.doc; 08 March 2011; 11:24

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Preface

The following document represents the views of the independent evaluation mission on the performance and achievements of the project Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries (GCP/RAS/171/JPN), and to a lesser extent also its successor project Strengthening Regional Data Exchange System on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries (GCP/RAS/184/JPN). The former project began its operations in 1998; its planned duration was extended to April 2002 to allow an overlap with the follow-up project, which became operational in December 2001. The present evaluation focuses mainly on the first phase of the project, as results for the follow-up phase will still take time to become visible. The evaluation was initiated with a view to providing the donor, collaborating agencies and FAO with an independent and objective assessment of the implementation results of the project, including proposals for any necessary changes in the project design and implementation approach of the follow-up project. The mission started on 23 April 2002 and ended on 20 May 2002; four countries involved in the project (Thailand, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and China) were visited to hold discussions with collaborators in ministries of agriculture, statistical bureaux and other institutions. In addition, the mission met with FAO officials in the countries concerned as well as in the Regional Office, and held talks with a range of international experts and officials, among others from JICA and the Japanese embassy in Bangkok. The report also reflects the responses to questionnaires sent out to project focal points prior to the mission

1.

The mission's main views regarding the projects are presented in the summary, followed by more specific conclusions and recommendations. The main body of the report presents additional views and amplifications, while the annexes provide information on the mission background as well as briefs on statistical systems and activities in the project's participating countries. Evaluating the project was a rewarding and challenging assignment given the wide scope of the project and its potential role as a precursor of major statistical activities being planned or already being initiated in the Asia and Pacific region. The evaluation mission is most appreciative of the efforts made by the project CTA, the project focal points in the countries visited, and FAO officials in the Regional Office and country offices, as well as a range of other individuals who provided information and discussed issues in a frank and constructive manner. Last, but not least, the officials of the focal point institutions in the respective countries gave excellent support to the mission and provided valuable insights. The Evaluation Mission Bernd Bultemeier, Evaluation Service, FAO, Rome Yoichiro Kawasaki, Statistics Consultant (representing Japan)

1 At the time of writing this draft report, not all questionnaire responses had been received.


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List of Acronyms

AFSIS ASEAN Food Security Information System AIT Asian Institute of Technology AMAF ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry APCAS Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics Artfish Package of statistical approaches, technical documents and computer software (FAO) ASEAN Association of South-East Asian Nations ASEAN +3 ASEAN + China, Japan and Republic of Korea CTA Chief Technical Adviser FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAOSTAT FAO’s major statistical database FIDI Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FAO) FIVIMS Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System HQ Headquarters IDCJ International Development Centre of Japan IT Information Technology JIAC Japan International Agricultural Council JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency MOAC Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (Thailand) Prodoc Project document RAP FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific SIAP Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific SPFS Special Programme for Food Security (FAO) WAICENT World Agricultural Information Centre


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE........................................................................................................................................................... I

LIST OF ACRONYMS....................................................................................................................................... II

TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................................... III

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................................................................................................................... V

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................... VII

PROJECT DOCUMENT ..........................................................................................................................................VII PROJECT REVIEW AND GUIDANCE ARRANGEMENTS...............................................................................................VII TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL BACKSTOPPING....................................................................................................VII PROJECT MANAGEMENT ......................................................................................................................................VII NATIONAL STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND PLANS .........................................................................VII PLAN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DATA BASE AND EQUIPMENT FACILITIES TO PROVIDE A CAPABILITY TO

TRANSFER DATA IN ELECTRONIC FORMAT ............................................................................................................ VIII INVOLVEMENT BY NATIONAL STATISTICAL UNITS .................................................................................................. VIII NATIONAL STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENT ............................................................................................................... VIII COORDINATION WITH OTHER REGIONAL AND BILATERAL STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES....................................................IX REGULAR COORDINATION AND HARMONIZATION WITH FAO STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES ...............................................IX EVALUATION OF PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS AND OUTSTANDING ISSUES ....................................................................IX

1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND .................................................................................................... 1

2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN.................................................................................................... 1

2.1 ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT DESIGN .......................................................................................................... 2

3. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ......................................................................................................... 2

4. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STATUS .................................................................................................. 2

4.1 PROJECT BUDGET AND EXPENDITURE ...................................................................................................... 3 4.2 ACTIVITIES AND OUTPUTS ........................................................................................................................ 3 4.2.1 OUTPUTS UNDER IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE ONE ..................................................................................... 4 4.2.2 OUTPUTS UNDER IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVE TWO..................................................................................... 5 4.3 TECHNICAL AND OPERATIONAL BACKSTOPPING, PROJECT MANAGEMENT ................................................. 8

5. ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL RESULTS ..................................................................................................... 8

5.1 NATIONAL STATISTICAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES AND PLANS DRAWN UP FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF

FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS AND INFORMATION, FOR IMPLEMENTATION IN PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES ... 8


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5.1.1 IN-DEPTH STUDIES ON NATIONAL FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICAL SYSTEMS ............................. 8 5.1.2 WORKSHOPS ON SPECIFIC STATISTICAL AREAS ................................................................................ 10 5.1.3 NATIONAL STATISTICIANS AND DATA USERS TRAINED THROUGH SEMINARS ON AGRICULTURAL

STATISTICS .......................................................................................................................................................12 5.2 PLAN FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DATA BASE AND FACILITIES TO TRANSFER DATA IN ELECTRONIC

FORMAT ............................................................................................................................................................ 12

6. SPECIFIC TOPICS AND ISSUES ............................................................................................................ 13

6.1 COST-EFFECTIVENESS ........................................................................................................................... 13 6.2 COORDINATION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES WITH OTHER STATISTICAL ACTIVITIES ........................................ 13

ANNEXES ....................................................................................................................................................... 14

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE EVALUATION MISSION....................................................................................... 14 ITINERARY AND PERSONS MET ............................................................................................................................ 17 LIST OF TECHNICAL COOPERATION PERSONNEL (PROJECT STAFF, CONSULTANTS) ............................................. 21 LIST OF TRAINING SEMINARS, WORKSHOPS, CONSULTATIONS ORGANIZED BY THE PROJECT ............................... 22 REPORTS AND OTHER INFORMATION MATERIALS PRODUCED BY THE PROJECT.................................................... 24 COUNTRY BRIEFS .............................................................................................................................................. 26 BANGLADESH..................................................................................................................................................... 26 CAMBODIA ......................................................................................................................................................... 28 CHINA ............................................................................................................................................................... 30 THAILAND .......................................................................................................................................................... 32 BHUTAN............................................................................................................................................................. 34 FIJI.................................................................................................................................................................... 35 INDIA ................................................................................................................................................................. 36 INDONESIA ......................................................................................................................................................... 37 IRAN .................................................................................................................................................................. 38 LAO PDR .......................................................................................................................................................... 39 MYANMAR.......................................................................................................................................................... 41 NEPAL ............................................................................................................................................................... 43 PAKISTAN .......................................................................................................................................................... 45 PHILIPPINES....................................................................................................................................................... 46 SRI LANKA ......................................................................................................................................................... 47 VIET NAM .......................................................................................................................................................... 48 QUESTIONNAIRE ................................................................................................................................................ 50

QUESTIONNAIRE ON PROJECT GCP/RAS/171/JPN.................................................................................. 51


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

At the Sixteenth Session of the Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS), held in Tokyo, Japan in October 1996, the need for accurate and timely data on food and agriculture was stressed. It was recognized that while participating countries had made substantial improvements in their food and agricultural statistics systems, more changes needed to be introduced in many countries, such as the adoption of modern techniques for data collection, processing, analysis and dissemination, including the electronic transfer of data. Furthermore, cooperation among Asia and Pacific countries for the exchange of food and agricultural statistics had remained comparatively weak. In order to address this situation, the Government of Japan responded to a request for assistance coming from the APCAS seminar and provided resources to launch the project "Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/171/JPN, final budget US$ 987,772), which began operations in May 1998. This project ended in April 2002, overlapping by a few months with its follow-up project "Strengthening Regional Data Exchange System on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/184/JPN, current budget US$ 679,731), which started in December 2001 and is planned to end in November 2004. The present evaluation focuses mainly on the former project. The project pursued two immediate objectives: (i) National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans drawn up for the improvement of food and agricultural statistics and information, for implementation in participating countries; and (ii) plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities, in a number of countries, to provide a capability to transfer data in electronic format both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO, using common concepts, standards and classifications. Towards the attainment of these objectives, important results have been achieved, including: • the organization of nine in-depth studies and eight national seminars on national food and agricultural

statistical systems in participating countries, resulting in the identification of constraints and the formulation of recommendations for improvements;

• the implementation (some jointly with FAO HQ and other organizations) of six regional and sub-regional technical workshops, leading to an improved knowledge by national statisticians of advanced statistical methods and approaches;

• preparations for the establishment of a regional data and information exchange system, including the holding of consultations with national focal points and the development of a follow-up project document (GCP/RAS/184/JPN) for the attainment of this objective

Furthermore, the project now forms part of (and perhaps has triggered) a wider initiative towards the improvement of agricultural and food security information systems: • ASEAN and three East Asian countries (Peoples’ Republic of China, Japan and Republic of Korea)

started discussions concerning food security related information in 2001, in parallel with plans regarding regional food (rice) reserves, and have agreed on an “ASEAN Food Security Information System” (AFSIS) project funded by Japan;

• Japan is contributing to a second phase of the Asia FIVIMS (Food Insecurity and Vulnerability Information and Mapping System) project and possibly a Food Demand/Supply Forecast Modelling project to be implemented by FAO;

• projects under the FAO Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) are paying increasing attention to data and information issues;

• JICA is planning to launch a project on Agricultural Statistics and Economic Analysis Development in Thailand

Despite these achievements, the mission noted certain shortcomings in the project, which have hampered its effectiveness and could jeopardize the follow-up project. These shortcomings include the fact that the project design was over-optimistic regarding achievement of Immediate Objective One (national statistical development strategies and plans drawn up), as it lacked specific outputs, as well as resources and time, to attain this objective. Likewise, for Immediate Objective Two (plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities) most planned project activities were geared towards general statistical issues, and the final shape of the proposed data and information exchange system still needs to be defined. Nevertheless, the regional data exchange concept of the project is appreciated by collaborators in participating countries as well as by development agencies. A comprehensive and consistent approach to


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statistical data collection, processing, analysis and dissemination in the region is seen as an important precondition for agricultural and food security policies, and the project is set to play an important part in this endeavour. The mission views the first phase of the project as a pilot phase, which has tested approaches, tried out collaboration arrangements, developed institutional links and refined concepts. The project still has to move to a stage where physical results become more widely visible. The original project (GCP/RAS/171/JPN) lacked the resources to go beyond raising awareness for the limitations in countries' statistical systems and providing initial technical training. While some countries have made great strides in transforming their statistical systems, others are – mainly for budgetary reasons - unable to undertake even small steps towards the kind of systematic improvements of their statistics systems that are envisaged by the project. The follow-up project must therefore, apart from establishing the model for a regional exchange system, also pay close attention to the institutional capacities of statistical authorities of the participating countries and facilitate contacts with technical assistance donors wherever possible. Apart from the tasks mentioned above, major assignments during the follow-up phase (GCP/RAS/184/JPN) will be: • a closer integration of national focal points, by designating focal point meetings to play the role of project

steering committee (review and planning body, with FAO and donor participation), and also by having more frequent meetings (at least once yearly);

• still at the national level, a better recognition of the diversified institutional responsibilities for agricultural and food security statistics in the participating countries, by formally nominating not only focal points but also major collaborators in the respective countries as national project implementation groups;

• at the regional level, establishing and maintaining close contact with managers and designers of the related regional and bilateral projects and initiatives with statistical components (AFSIS, Asia FIVIMS, etc), in order to develop consistent approaches and avoid overlap

Other issues have to be tackled as well during the present phase; these are addressed in the conclusions and recommendations section at the end of the summary. The main body of the report presents additional views and amplifications. The mission acknowledges that investment in statistical development figures low on government agendas, as most countries in the region face substantial constraints in terms of human resources as well as funding. Under the circumstances, the project has performed well by paving the way for improvements in national as well as regional statistical systems. The momentum that the original project has built is kept by the follow-up project and is likely to be complemented by a wider range of other bilateral and regional projects. It is the view of the mission that the possibility exists for the follow-up project to attain its full potential – assisting countries in the region in their efforts to produce and exchange up-to-date agricultural and food security data. However, the project alone cannot achieve this objective. Key success factors in the mission's opinion include, in addition to the exchange mechanism provided by the project, improvements in the national statistical systems of some participating countries in terms of budgetary resources, hardware, software, and human resources development, as well as increased attention given to the harmonization and improvements of concepts, definitions and methods applied by the various national statistical units.


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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Project document Planned activities, outputs and objectives were not always logically consistent. Moreover, the project design was over-optimistic regarding Immediate Objective One (national statistical development strategies and plans drawn up), and also expectations regarding Immediate Objective Two (plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities) did not take fully into account the limited time and resources available. Project review and guidance arrangements Institutional review and guidance arrangements were only touched upon in the prodoc; national Focal Points (coming from the department in charge of agricultural statistics) were nominated, but their effective mandate was not spelled out. Two meetings of focal points were held in June 1999 and October 2001 - too few to provide much guidance to the project

2. A mid-term review mentioned in the prodoc did not take place.

Recommendation: There should be a closer integration of national focal points, by designating focal point meetings to play the role of a project steering committee (review and planning body, with FAO and donor participation), and also by having more frequent meetings (at least once yearly - the prodoc of project GCP/RAS/184/JPN stipulates one every two years). The project should also better recognize the diversified institutional responsibilities for agricultural and food security statistics in the participating countries, by formally nominating not only focal points but also other major collaborators in the respective countries as national project implementation groups. Technical and operational backstopping The amount of technical backstopping has been limited due to the absence of a regular FAO Regional Statistician in the Regional Office. However, for the most part a long-term technical consultant substituted for that position, and several workshops organized jointly with FAO HQ enabled the project to keep in touch with FAO technical backstopping units. Operational backstopping seems to have been without problems.

Project management Project management had to operate a project whose design was ambitious in relation to the resources available. Under the circumstances, project management was successful in establishing an initial network of focal points, and assisting those countries covered by an in-depth review or national seminar in identifying constraints and opportunities in their statistical systems. It has thus laid the foundation for the follow-up project on regional data and information exchange, as well as for other planned activities in the region concerning food and agriculture information. National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans The project has organized nine in-depth studies and eight national seminars on national food and agricultural statistical systems in participating countries, which have resulted in the identification of constraints and the formulation of recommendations for improvements. In addition, six regional and sub-regional technical workshops have been implemented (some jointly with FAO HQ and other organizations), leading to an improved knowledge by national statisticians of advanced statistical methods and approaches. These activities have also resulted in increasing interest in, and willingness to, improve agricultural statistics in member countries. They have, however, not resulted in the formulation of national statistical development strategies and plans, in the sense of development plans duly approved and budgeted for by national authorities. For this, the project design lacked specific outputs, as well as resources and time, to assist countries where such a plan did not already exist. Statistical development has to be achieved through countries' own resources or international assistance. However, some countries' capacities appear limited, as economic problems have caused budget and manpower reductions in statistical institutions in many countries, sometimes even disproportionately so when compared to cuts in other government departments.

2 An APCAS meeting in 2000 provided an opportunity to meet with some focal points, but could not substitute for a dedicated meeting of focal points.


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Plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities to provide a capability to transfer data in electronic format The project has organized preparatory meetings consultations with national focal points for the establishment of a regional data and information exchange system, and has prepared the project document for the follow-up project GCP/RAS/184/JPN, which is now moving towards the creation of a pilot regional data and information exchange system. However, the final shape of the proposed data and information exchange system, including agreement on common concepts, standards and classifications, still needs to be defined. Most member countries are strongly interested not only in the data exchange system but also computer processing of survey data. However, the large amount of investment necessary for computers prevents these countries from introducing IT systems, especially in field offices. In some countries, even central government offices in charge of statistics have insufficient computer/communication facilities. Important differences are also found among countries concerning the scope of their statistical databases and their presence on the Internet. Recommendation: Project GCP/RAS/184/JPN should learn from its predecessor project: it should not set over-ambitious targets for the exchange system development. It workplans should be formulated to fit the resources and time available. At the same time, priority should be placed on covering the data needs identified by member countries themselves. Also, the project will have to develop a differential strategy for involving those countries that are advanced in terms of using modern computer/communication technology as well as those that are less advanced. Involvement by national statistical units The project's focal points, and with them their national statistical units, have been involved in the project through focal point meetings, preparation of in-depth studies and national seminars as well as regional and sub-regional meetings. However, given the number of participating countries, the involvement by individual countries has been uneven. This may have been influenced by their levels of statistical development as well as their resources available for supporting innovations. Recommendation One: For the follow-up project, the decision as to which countries (5 to 6 countries are foreseen) should participate in the pilot phase of the regional data and information exchange system, should be based on criteria related to their effective capacity to participate in project activities. Criteria for the focal point organization could be: • being in charge of coordination and guidance regarding agricultural and food security statistics, and

thus able to solicit and integrate inputs into the exchange system; • having reached a certain degree of IT literacy, including the capability to design, maintain and update

a webpage; • possessing the ability to translate datasets into English Selection criteria as well as the actual decision concerning pilot countries should be on the agenda of the next focal point meeting planned for July 2002. Recommendation Two: For countries currently not in a position to make a meaningful contribution (i.e. with no or only rudimentary email and Internet access and/or no or only few databases available in other than national languages), efforts should be made to identify sources for additional technical assistance to update the countries' IT and translation capabilities. National statistical development A number of activities supported by the project have focused attention on issues and constraints in countries' statistical systems; mostly, these activities have not been brought to a logical conclusion (e.g. concrete initiatives for statistical systems development). However, the Project succeeded in clarifying problems faced by statistical units in member countries and in reaching common understanding about solutions for these problems among national agencies concerned. Recommendation: As the follow-up project (like its predecessor project) will not have the means at its disposal to address these national constraints, it must, apart from establishing the model for a regional exchange system, also pay close attention to the institutional capacities of statistical authorities in the participating countries. The project with assistance from FAO, should facilitate contacts with the donor community for technical assistance to upgrade the statistical systems of those countries with a low capacity.


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Coordination with other regional and bilateral statistical activities The project has become part of (and perhaps has triggered) a wider initiative towards the improvement of agricultural and food security information systems - several new initiatives have been taken in the recent past to address various aspects related to food security information and agricultural data in general. The Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry of ASEAN+3 countries discussed cooperation for strengthening food security in the region in October 2001 and agreed to promote the development of an awareness-ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS). Several parallel interventions are now being planned or already under way, supported by different organizations: AFSIS by ASEAN, Asia FIVIMS and Food Demand/Supply Forecasting Model, bilateral cooperation projects by JICA, and so forth. Recommendation One: The establishment of a contact group should be considered, comprising institutions involved in ongoing or planned statistical activities, in particular AFSIS, Asia FIVIMS, Food Demand/Supply Forecast Modelling project, SPFS, Agricultural Statistics and Economic Analysis Development project in Thailand. Members of this group should share workplans, draft project documents, etc with a view to harmonizing approaches and developing joint activities. Recommendation Two: In addition, a regular information network (covering also focal points and the proposed national project implementation groups) should be established. A regular medium to transmit information could be a newsletter to be prepared and circulated by FAO RAP under the auspices of APCAS, with contributions from units/organizations active in national and regional statistics, including focal points and national project implementation groups. The newsletter could contain updates on recent statistical developments in the region, in participating countries and in FAO as well as other institutions involved in statistics. Recommendation Three: The FAO Regional Statistician (as Secretary of APCAS) could play a major coordinating role (apart from the proposed involvement in the newsletter) also through the organization of workshops, meetings etc, to coincide with or complement the project's and other planned statistical activities. Regular coordination and harmonization with FAO statistical activities Statistical units in FAO have reviewed and changed some of their approaches towards data collection, inputting, processing, analysis and dissemination in recent years. In particular, the FAOSTAT system is undergoing a major revision and will be equipped with new and more powerful features in the near future. Recommendation: The Agricultural Statistics Expert/CTA of project GCP/RAS/184/JPN should pay a visit to FAO HQ to review the changes taking place in the FAO statistical systems, and discuss possible adaptations in the regional exchange system to reflect these latest developments. Evaluation of project achievements and outstanding issues It is envisaged that participating member countries will continue to require varying levels of technical assistance at the completion of present project activities. However, a terminal evaluation of project GCP/RAS/184/JPN is not planned due to budget constraints. Recommendation: The mission feels that a simple terminal review (planned to coincide with the second meeting of focal points in June 2004) will not allow for an in-depth assessment of project achievements and analysis of outstanding issues. Efforts should therefore be made to allocate additional funds for an evaluation preceding the Focal Point meeting in June 2004.


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1. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

At the Sixteenth Session of the Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS), held in Tokyo, Japan in October 1996, the need for accurate and timely data on food and agriculture was stressed. It was recognized that while participating countries had made substantial improvements in their food and agricultural statistics systems, more changes needed to be introduced in many countries

3, such as the

adoption of modern techniques for data collection, processing, analysis and dissemination, including the electronic transfer of data. Furthermore, cooperation among Asia and Pacific countries for the exchange of food and agricultural statistics had remained comparatively weak. In order to address this situation, the Government of Japan responded to a request for assistance coming from the APCAS seminar and provided resources to launch the project "Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/171/JPN), which began operations in May 1998. This project ended in April 2002, overlapping by a few months with its follow-up project "Strengthening Regional Data Exchange System on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/184/JPN), which started in December 2001. The present evaluation focuses mainly on the former project.

2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN

The project covered 16 developing member countries of APCAS: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. Developed member countries of the Commission were encouraged to participate in the activities of the project as experts and/or observers, especially with respect to regional-level undertakings. The project document (prodoc) stated that "dissemination of data was an important area to which countries attach high priority in response to the ever increasing needs of data users", and that "exchange of information among member countries was also a mechanism which is very useful for improving the situation of food and agricultural statistics". In this context, the prodoc observed that traditional hard copy publications often resulted in delays in releasing information, and that "countries were now trying to capitalize on the technological progress in computer and telecommunication science to improve their information dissemination system". The project was intended to assist countries in these efforts, by pursuing two immediate objectives: (i) National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans drawn up for the improvement of food and

agricultural statistics and information, for implementation in participating countries; and (ii) plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities, in a number of countries, to

provide a capability to transfer data in electronic format both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO, using common concepts, standards and classifications

These immediate objectives were to contribute to the development objective of the member countries of the Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (as stated in the prodoc): "to have a sound statistical system capable of (i) providing data and information for planning and policy making in the food and agriculture sector with the aim of raising living standard and nutritional status of people, especially the rural poor, and (ii) exchanging these data with other countries to support of national, regional and global food security programmes and policies". The project approach was to address the first immediate objective (national statistical development strategies and plans drawn up) through three planned outputs: 1) in-depth studies and national seminars on national food and agricultural statistical systems in

participating countries; 2) a total of four workshops in areas identified as requiring assistance through the country studies; 3) 200 national statisticians and data users benefited from national seminars on agricultural statistics in ten

countries

3 Although most countries of the Asia and Pacific region had developed their statistical capability through training and adoption of sampling techniques and census methods for various statistical activities, reporting systems continued to be a major source of data in many countries, especially in formerly centrally planned economies.


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The second immediate objective (plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities, to provide a capability to transfer data both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO, in electronic format

4)

was to be based on the achievement of five outputs: 1) reports on meetings of focal points; 2) report of Seminar on the Use of Remote Sensing in Agricultural Statistics; 3) report of regional workshop (topic to be identified through country studies); 4) 40 national statisticians trained through remote sensing seminar and regional workshop; and 5) Master Plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities, in a number of countries, to

provide a capability to transfer data both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO, in electronic format

2.1 Assessment of Project Design The logical consistency between planned activities, outputs and objectives was not always evident. For example, there is no causal relationship between the workshop on remote sensing and the regional data exchange system, and also other planned workshops listed under Immediate Objective Two turned out to be on technical topics not directly related to this immediate objective. This discrepancy was realized in the course of project implementation by the project and the outputs shifted accordingly. However, a more important deficiency in the project design was an over-optimistic assumption regarding achievement of Immediate Objective One (national statistical development strategies and plans drawn up). If the immediate objective is interpreted as a national statistical development plan duly approved and budgeted for by national authorities, then the project design lacked specific outputs, as well as resources and time, to assist countries where such a plan did not already exist. The planned activities were mainly related to specific technical issues, and only one specific activity per country (in-depth review followed by national seminar) was planned by the project. Immediate Objective Two (plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities

5) might have

been easier to achieve, as this objective referred to a technical blueprint for a data exchange system. However, the planned project activities were more geared towards covering general statistical issues, and only few items among the project's planned activities were specifically supporting the achievement of this immediate objective. Risks were considered to be small in the implementation of this project; only the possible transfer of country focal points was seen as potentially having an adverse impact on the project.

3. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

Institutional arrangements were only touched upon in the prodoc. It was stated that participating countries would nominate national Focal Points (coming from the department in charge of agricultural statistics and having responsibilities for the management and implementation of programmes in this field) for liaison concerning project activities, to be nominated in consultation with the FAO/RAP Regional Statistician in his/her capacity as Secretary of APCAS. Two meetings with focal points were planned in the prodoc (February 1999 and January 2001 - actual time June 1999 and October 2001

6), without further specification

of the purpose of the meetings or the particular mandate of the focal points. Apart from mentioning FAO (Operations Chief as well as Regional Statistician) as responsible for operational and technical guidance and supervision of the work of the Agricultural Statistics Expert, no other guidance/oversight mechanism was identified in the prodoc. A mid-term review mentioned in the prodoc did not take place.

4. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION STATUS

In the following section, budget information is based on the latest available budget revision “G” (November 2001) for project "Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/171/JPN). The review of the project's implementation status is derived from project progress and other reports, and observations of the mission. Although the follow-up phase of the project "Strengthening Regional Data

4 Also referred to by the project as a plan for the establishment of a data exchange system on food and agricultural statistics in the region. 5 The wording could have been more precise - the words used to describe the objective very closely resemble those of output five. 6 An APCAS meeting in 2000 provided an opportunity to meet with some focal points, but could not substitute for a dedicated meeting of focal points.


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Exchange System on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/184/JPN) already started in December 2001, the budget reproduced here refers only to the former project as it has funded all substantive activities to date. (The new CTA, however, is already charged to GCP/RAS/184/JPN.) 4.1 Project Budget and Expenditure Table 1: Budget and Expenditure Prior Years

Expenditure 2001 Budget

2002 Budget Total Budget Rev "G"

Total Budget Rev "F"

Percentage Rev "G"

Salaries Professional

258774 135000 0 393774 370774 39.86%

Salaries General Service

54819 26000 9500 90319 89819 9.14%

Consultants 4376 10071 27500 41947 53376 4.25% Contracts 21912 11700 35000 68612 42912 6.95% Overtime 208 94 300 602 408 0.06% Travel 50153 63947 40000 154100 156167 15.60% Training 19672 7103 3000 29775 28672 3.01% Expendable Equipment

4787 3500 5000 13287 9287 1.35%

Non-expendable Equipment

9726 75 25000 34801 63726 3.52%

Technical Support Services

21006 13000 0 34006 39546 3.44%

General Operating Expenses

8103 2500 1464 12067 18603 1.22%

Chargeback 844 0 0 844 844 0.09% Sub-total 454380 272990 146764 874134 874134 88.50% Support Cost 59070 35489 19079 113638 113638 11.50% Total 513450 308479 165843 987772 987772 100.00% Note: Due to FAO's conversion from the FINSYS to Oracle financial software, the budget items are slightly different from those in the original project budget. The overall budget foreseen in the prodoc was US$ 949,610; however, the actual budget made available seems to have been increased in stages from US$ 186,920 (revision "B") to US$ 441,150 (revision "C" September 1999) to US$ 714,464 (revision "D" August 2000) to US$ 987,772 (revision "E" June 2001).

Main items funded by the donor in the original prodoc were an Agricultural Statistics Expert (36 p/m - later extended by 3 months), an international consultant (2 p/m), FAO supervisory technical services (part-time support by RAP Regional Statistician for a total of 4 p/m), national consultants and contracts with institutions for national or regional seminars, country level studies and workshops (22 p/m), and administrative (general service) support staff (39 p/m). In addition, basic office furniture and IT equipment was provided for the project office, and FAO RAP was to provide office space and logistical support for the project and project-organized workshops in Bangkok. Participating countries were to provide the necessary facilities and staff for implementing the project activities at country level, including computer and telecommunication equipment and expertise. 4.2 Activities and Outputs The section below is not grouped according to the structure adopted in the original project document, for the following reasons: the project itself shifted some outputs between categories in the course of project implementation; some outputs refer to the same event (the prodoc lists reports of workshops and trained statisticians as separate outputs - these are now consolidated under the respective workshop or seminar). No specific account has been prepared by the project on its training activities (e.g. covering training needs assessment, skills development resulting from seminars/workshops, skills application/capacity improvement at statistical institutions, continuing training needs). The numbering of the outputs is not identical with the original project document.


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4.2.1 Outputs under Immediate Objective One These outputs were to contribute to the achievement of the immediate objective: National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans drawn up for the improvement of food and agricultural statistics and information, for implementation in participating countries. The first output category is most closely related to this objective; in addition, the other output category (regional and sub-regional workshops) includes a number of specific technical events. 4.2.1.1 Output Category One: In-depth Studies and National Seminars on National Food and Agricultural Statistical Systems The project started out by circulating a questionnaire among participating countries (and other APCAS countries) in order to obtain up-to-date information on national systems for food and agricultural statistics. The analysis of the questionnaire led to the selection of ten countries for in-depth reviews and country seminars. In-depth reviews focused on the countries' institutional capacity and data users' needs, and usually included the organization of national seminars. Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Iran, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam were covered by in-depth reviews. Reasons for selection, according to the project, were that these countries were in the early development stage of agricultural statistics and/or in transition from a centrally planned economy and/or offering the possibility of introducing the data-exchange system (which was to follow the Master Plan to be developed by the project). In-depth reviews and national seminars were implemented as follows

7:

Country In-depth review National Seminar

Cambodia 27-31 January 1999 3-4 November 1999

Bhutan 18-22 July 1999 25-26 January 2000

Nepal 22-27 July 1999 5-16 December 1999

China 21-28 September 1999 23-24 September 1999

Lao PDR 7-12 February 2000 3-4 August 2000

Viet Nam 13-18 February 2000 20-21 June 2000

Myanmar 7-10 March 2000 29-30 January 2001

Bangladesh 11-15 September 2000 ---

Iran 17-23 February 2001 ---

Thailand --- 19 December 2001

Following the project approach, national seminars were to assess the state of national food and agricultural statistics service in the country, review existing food and agricultural statistical activities; identify demands of, and expectations from, data users, and to discuss problems and issues faced in the collection, analysis, use and dissemination of food and agriculture statistics. The seminars were then to result in the formulation of recommendations for future improvements of the national food and agricultural statistics plans and programmes. 4.2.1.1 Output Category Two: Workshops in Areas Identified as Requiring Assistance through the Country Studies Output category two was intended to address the needs identified through the in-depth reviews and national seminars. The number of outputs in this category was increased - the project shifted two regional-level activities (seminar and workshop on remote sensing and fishery statistics, respectively) from Immediate Objective Two to Immediate Objective One, as they were not related to the plan for the data exchange system. For purposes of efficiency and resource-sharing, some workshops and consultations were held in collaboration with FAO (Regular Programme) and other relevant international/national organizations.

7In the case of Bangladesh, the national seminar could not be held due to time constraints at the focal point organization. In Iran, the national seminar could not be held due to the imminent project termination. However, the project requested the focal point in Iran to produce several technical papers in lieu of the organization of the seminar. In Thailand, the in-depth review was not deemed necessary due to frequent interaction between the project and statistical organizations in the country, as well as correspondence and papers presented at meetings held at FAO/RAP.


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FAO/SIAP SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON AGRICULTURAL SURVEYS BASED ON MULTIPLE FRAME SAMPLING

METHODS (BANGKOK, 22 TO 28 NOVEMBER 2000) The project jointly organized the Workshop with the FAO Regular Programme and the Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific (SIAP) to promote sample surveys as a highly accurate and cost effective method. A total of 39 participants attended from the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. The workshop discussed the sample design, organisation and implementation procedures of agricultural surveys based on Multiple Frame Probability Sampling Methods. The methods offer the advantage of reducing the workload for updating list frames, which have a tendency not to reflect the actual state according to the passage of time, and they also make it possible to include many survey items at a time. Multiple Frame Probability Sampling Methods would be one of the choices of sampling survey introduction for the countries in this region. SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON MOVING TOWARDS AN AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SYSTEM FOR THE MARKET

ECONOMY (FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC BANGKOK, 15-20 JANUARY 2001) The Sub-Regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System for the Market Economy was jointly organized with the FAO Regular Programme. Twenty-three representatives from six countries that are currently in transition from a centrally planned to a market economy (Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar and Viet Nam) attended. The participants were senior and middle level officials from Planning Ministries, Agriculture Ministries and National Statistics Offices. The workshop was devoted to the problems that countries faced in developing a reliable agricultural statistics system when they move from a centrally planned to a market economy. It covered four broad themes concerning the change from a centrally planned to a market economy: (i) data needs, (ii) data collection problems, (iii) statistical methodology, and (iv) proposals for changes in the statistical system. Each country prepared an outline plan for the development of its agricultural statistics system. In presenting this plan to the workshop, each country outlined the improvements plan over the next five to ten years, and listed the priorities and constraints. THE SEMINAR ON REMOTE SENSING FOR AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS (FAO-RAP, 9-11 JUNE 1999) The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. It was attended by 15 Focal Points and 19 resource persons and observers from FAO HQ, Japan, France, USA and the Asian Center for Research on Remote Sensing (a unit of AIT - Asian Institute of Technology). It focused on the application of Remote Sensing techniques in agricultural statistics, discussion on the present state of research in the participating countries, and the practical application of Remote Sensing in agricultural statistics. REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON IMPROVEMENT OF FISHERY STATISTICS IN ASIA AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES (FAO REGIONAL

OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC BANGKOK, 6-10 AUGUST 2001) The workshop was organized in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI) of FAO HQ; the Senior Fishery Data Officer from FAO HQ acted as resource person. The 16 participants were senior officials expected to influence the direction of development of fishery statistics systems in their respective countries - Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. The workshop aimed to provide a forum for personnel in charge of fishery statistics for discussing specific issues, sharing related experiences including seeking assistance for planning and future development efforts for fishery statistics. The main objectives were to clarify basic methodological and operational issues of fishery statistics, and to contribute to improvement of the national system of fishery statistics through the use of case studies and testing of data collection scenarios. The Senior Fishery Data Officer introduced Artfish (a system of statistical approaches, technical documents and computer software to streamline survey operations and analyse data collected from the field) to the participants. 4.2.2 Outputs under Immediate Objective Two The prodoc listed two meetings of Focal Points as planned outputs under Immediate Objective Two (plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities), as well as the Seminar on the Use of Remote Sensing in Agricultural Statistics, and a five-day regional workshop "on a specific area of major interest to


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regional countries identified during country evaluations". These activities were expected to train 40 national statisticians. However, the remote sensing seminar as well as the fisheries statistics workshop were moved by the project to outputs under Immediate Objective One as they had no direct relation to the development of a plan for the establishment of a data base. The meeting of focal points, on the other hand, has remained under this immediate objective. 4.2.2.1 Output Category One: Meetings of Focal Points FIRST MEETING OF FOCAL POINTS (FAO-RAP, 7-8 JUNE 1999) The meeting had 34 participants from participating countries of the project as well as from other APCAS member countries, FAO Rome Headquarters and concerned organizations on agricultural statistics as resource persons or observers. The Meeting discussed the current situation on agricultural statistics, the future activities of the project and provided an overview of FAO WAICENT to better understand this database system. As a follow-up to the discussion of WAICENT, the meeting recommended to organize a session in the 2000 meeting of APCAS to discuss issues related to the provision by participating countries of common data to the planned regional information exchange system. It further recommended that the in-depth country reviews should be used to identify different views, perspectives and requirements of participating countries. At the same time, the meeting cautioned not to increase the reporting burden of governments. SECOND MEETING OF FOCAL POINTS (FAO/RAP, 22-23 OCTOBER 2001) The meeting was attended by the Focal Points or their substitutes from 16 participating countries; officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan; observers from the Embassy of Japan and Japan International Cooperation Agencies (JICA); and officials from FAO HQ and the Regional Office, Bangkok. The meeting reviewed the activities implemented by the project, and discussed the future directions of the follow-up phase project. The outline of the data exchange system to be generated by the follow-up phase project (an earlier outline had already been presented to the sub-regional technical consultation on the establishment of data exchange system, March 2001) was also presented, for the Focal Points' review. Some participants (representatives from Japan, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Thailand, FAO Food and Nutrition officer) also presented the outline of the planned ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS), and various related components to be funded by Japan (Asia FIVIMS project, ASEAN support project, SPFS projects, bilateral Japanese assistance). The Focal Points discussed the necessity of a long-term approach to construct the data exchange system, as it would take a long time to prepare unified data items for all countries. They concluded that the efforts of all countries and collaboration among related projects would be indispensable. Regarding the latter, the need for establishing a functional coordination mechanism was emphasized; regarding the former, the need for hardware and software as well as technical assistance was noted, and that the project should address also these issues. 4.2.2.2 Output Category Two: Regional/sub-regional Workshops SUB-REGIONAL TECHNICAL CONSULTATION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DATA EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR FOOD AND

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION (FAO REGIONAL OFFICE BANGKOK, 20-22 MARCH

2001) The consultation was attended by 12 experts from ten countries (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam), representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Japan), FAO headquarters and FAO Regional Office. The objective of the technical consultation was to solicit ideas and suggestions from participating countries for consideration in the design of a Master Plan for the envisaged national and regional exchange system for food and agriculture statistics. The representative from Japan outlined the results expected from the regional exchange system (common statistical concepts and specifications, standardization of information, regional database installed at FAO RAP, data dissemination through websites), and stated that a follow-up project would be funded by Japan to accomplish these goals. The FAO Agricultural Statistics Expert brought up issues related to the planned exchange system, such as the continuing diversity of IT systems in the region and the need for capacity building, and presented a general concept for the system (formulation of standard


7

procedures for data exchange, installation of system at regional level and in pilot countries - hardware, software, time series inputs, relationship with FAOSTAT, FIVIMS and early warning systems). The consultation concluded, among others, that there was a need for an inventory of existing data as well as for registering the needs and requirements of participating countries in terms of data manipulation and transfer. The participants furthermore pointed out that the system would require funding as well as technical assistance, and that in some countries the national databases still needed to be developed. ASEAN WORKSHOP ON FOOD SECURITY COOPERATION AND A RICE RESERVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN EAST ASIA

(NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND, 19 TO 20 JULY 2001) The agenda of the ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia included a plan of construction for an information network on food and agriculture statistics among ASEAN member countries, which would be related to the follow-up phase of the project GCP/RAS/171/JPN (i.e. GCP/RAS/184/JPN). To avoid duplication of activities, a close relationship between the ASEAN project and the FAO statistics projects (GCP/RAS/171/JPN and follow-up phase project) would be necessary. For this reason, the project supported the organization of the workshop upon the request of the main organizer, the MOAC, Thailand. The workshop was attended by 72 delegates from 13 member countries of ASEAN+3, namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam plus China, Japan, Republic of Korea. The delegates were government officials in charge of food security or agricultural statistics. Participants from the ASEAN Secretariat and the following international organisations were also present: the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Japan International Agricultural Council (JIAC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and International Development Centre of Japan (IDCJ). The project also invited eight participants in charge of agricultural statistics from China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam. They were focal points/persons of the project or officials recommended by the focal points. The workshop aimed to (i) prepare terms of reference for a feasibility study on food security cooperation and establishment of a rice reserve management system in East Asia, and (ii) consider and approve a proposal for a food security information system, under the ASEAN scheme. Corresponding to the second aim, MOAC Thailand was planning to formulate a project for the development of the ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS), with technical and financial contribution from Japan. The ASEAN project would be expected to contribute to food security through information supply and future rice reserve management system in ASEAN countries. The outputs of the workshop were expected to contribute to the formulation of the ASEAN project for AFSIS. After the workshop, the draft project proposal was made, taking into account the recommendations and comments made during the discussion. It was submitted for consideration and approval by the AMAF+3 (ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry, plus China, Republic of Korea and Japan) meeting in October 2001 in Medan, Indonesia. 4.2.2.3 Output Category Three: Formulation of a Master Plan/Project Proposal for the Data Exchange System On the basis of knowledge obtained from the country studies, regional/sub-regional meetings and in consultation with relevant officers in FAO HQ and RAP, the project prepared a draft proposal for the data exchange system on food and agriculture statistics in Asia and Pacific countries composed of a data base and Internet system, as a follow-up project to the present project. The idea was discussed in the above mentioned Technical Consultation on the Establishment of a Regional Data Exchange System for Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries, and a draft project document for the follow-up phase was formulated taking into account the suggestions and comments from the experts of the consultation. The draft was submitted to the donor, Government of Japan, in September 2001, and approved to start in December 2001, with the following objectives: • Immediate Objective One: Phased implementation of the Master Plan for the Regional Data Exchange

System for Food and Agriculture Statistics, following concepts formulated by the previous regional project, to transfer data both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO, in electronic format


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• Immediate Objective Two: Strengthen national capacity to analyse, use and disseminate food and agricultural statistics in support of national agricultural development policy and planning, including associated food security and poverty alleviation concerns

4.3 Technical and Operational Backstopping, Project Management Project management had to operate a project whose design was ambitious in relation to the resources available. At the same time, there was not always a logical link between planned activities, outputs and objectives. Most logical discrepancies were corrected in the course of project implementation by the project and the outputs shifted accordingly. However, the project clearly lacked resources to achieve Immediate Objective One (national statistical development strategies and plans drawn up), and in particular the time available was also limited to achieve Immediate Objective Two (plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities). Under the circumstances, project management was successful in establishing a network of focal points, and assisting those countries covered by an in-depth review or national seminars

8 in identifying constraints and

opportunities in their statistical systems. It has thus laid a foundation for the follow-up project on regional data and information exchange, as well as for other planned activities in the region concerning food and agriculture information. However, project management's attempts to receive inputs from countries regarding the design of the follow-up phase do not seem to have resulted in concrete proposals - perhaps an indication of the project not having a regular review and exchange mechanism (focal point meetings were held only twice) that could have improved the response rate to such a request. Technical and operational backstopping seems to have been without problems, although for most of the project duration FAO's Regional Statistician (who was to give major technical inputs and supervision) was replaced by consultancy services.

5. ACTUAL AND POTENTIAL RESULTS

The project document stated its development objective as follows: “To have a sound statistical system capable of (i) providing data and information for planning and policy making in the food and agriculture sector with the aim of raising living standard and nutritional status of people, especially the rural poor, and (ii) exchanging these data with other countries to support national, regional and global food security programmes and policies, then assess extent to which the project’s immediate objectives have been achieved and its results utilized towards the realization of the development objective” Statistical data collection and dissemination are complex undertakings even in small developing countries. Hence, the improvement of a country's statistical system requires an effort well beyond the scope of a single project. Although many governments in the region and international organizations including FAO have conducted a series of projects in the past years for improvement of agricultural statistics, their efforts have produced rather modest results - not surprising given the vast areas and issues to be covered, and the limited resources available to most governments. Thus, the present evaluation will, instead of trying to measure direct effects of the project in statistical improvement, focus on: (1) the extent to which the project has created awareness of the existing problems among agencies concerned and stimulated willingness to improve the situation, and (2) what actions have been undertaken or are being considered as a result of the project. 5.1 National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans Drawn Up for the Improvement of Food and Agricultural Statistics and Information, for Implementation in Participating Countries 5.1.1 In-depth Studies on National Food and Agricultural Statistical Systems The project spent much of its resources (in terms of funding and Agricultural Statistics Expert’s time) on this component. According to the prodoc, the in-depth studies would consist of two components, namely collection of information on national system of food and agricultural statistics from selected countries through correspondence and a questionnaire (Activity 1.1.1), and an in-depth review of the statistical system, followed by country seminars (Activities 1.1.2 to 1.1.11). The in-depth reviews and seminars would cover ten countries with (according to the prodoc) relatively less advanced agricultural statistical systems.

8 Some comments were made by participants in regional and sub-regional workshops about late notifications


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In general terms, the Project succeeded in raising awareness of the need for statistical advances among agencies concerned in participating governments. There seems to be broad understanding among governments that they need to have better coordination and cooperation among different agencies concerned with agricultural statistics, introduce survey systems and design for more accurate and timely data, develop data processing and communication systems, and improve human resource capacity. The officials attending the national, regional and sub-regional seminars have clearly recognized these improvements to be made. This is the first step leading to action. It is not quite certain, however, whether or not this awareness has led to actions by the governments, and if so, to what extent. As mentioned earlier, improvement of agricultural statistics systems, such as the introduction of rational and scientific statistical data collection systems, requires the provision of substantial budget and manpower resources. However, the project design did not include direct assistance of this kind for individual countries to improve their statistical systems. 5.1.1.1 Initial Questionnaire Survey The initial questionnaire surveys usually came up with a clear general picture of the statistical systems in participating countries: institutional setting, data gathered, methodologies and procedures were summarized for crop data, as well as for livestock, forestry, fisheries, farm economy, prices and marketing, etc. This provided good baseline information to the project for preparing subsequent activities. It could also serve as handy reference material to country statistical personnel planning improvement of their own systems since it enables them to compare with other countries. However, due to the diversity of the systems of the countries, it was difficult to make detailed assessments of the systems only from questionnaire results; further information had to come from in-depth country studies. 5.1.1.2 Individual Country Studies/Seminars In-depth country studies, the second part of the component, were to cover ten countries. The government focal points and the FAO Agricultural Statistics Expert jointly conducted the studies. At the time of the evaluation, however, some of these reports have not been completed or are awaiting internal clearance from FAO. The country studies usually give more detailed information of a country's statistics system, as well as a concise summary. They briefly describe main issues and "expectations” for possible actions for improvement. Again these documents provide good reference material for a country's agricultural statistics system. The in-depth review of national statistics system was normally followed by a national seminar

9. In most

cases, seminars were conducted several months after the study and attended by 30-40 persons, generally from government agencies. After several resource papers were presented, the seminar discussed problems and ways to solve them. At the end of the discussion, the seminar presented recommendations to the government. These county reviews and seminars brought the following issues and problems to participating countries’ attention: (a) Organizational structure of agricultural statistics varied widely among countries. In most countries, a

central/national statistical institution and ministries/ departments in charge of agriculture and food shared statistical undertaking in various degrees. Very often, statistical activities of line ministries are shared by several departments concerned. This often causes problems of duplication of work and conflicting data. In general, central statistics institutions are equipped with know-how and experiences in more efficient survey methods, while they have limited manpower resources. On the other hand, line ministries (and departments) have more abundant manpower for field surveys, while they tend to have less knowledge in data collection such as sampling methods and effective field-level work. Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen coordination and cooperation to a greater extent so that their knowledge and manpower may be shared efficiently.

(b) Governments appear to be paying insufficient attention to statistical activities. In many countries, statistical institutions suffer from declining budgets and manpower. On the other hand, demand for statistical data is increasing in terms of scope and volume. Statistical institutions are also required to

9 With a few exceptions - see table and notes in the section on implementation status.


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supply data with shorter time lags. They have to find a way to cope with the situation, by introducing less costly survey measures, removing duplication, sharing survey resources among institutions, computerizing survey data processing, etc. An urgent need was felt to bring the issue to governments' attention so that due consideration may be given to agricultural statistics.

(c) Data collection is dependent largely on administrative reporting. This is a rather inexpensive method and easy to implement. It also gives flexibility in widening data item coverage and enables data presentation for small administrative areas. However, obtained data tend to be inaccurate because of indirect source of information; they may be biased due to political and other considerations. Countries going through a transition from a centrally planned to a market economy are finding that their administrative reporting systems are getting less effective. There is a broad agreement, therefore, that data of critical importance should be obtained through direct data collection from farmers and objective measurement. On the other hand, direct survey, possibly based on sampling, is more costly. Sampling survey results limit the use of data in small areas due to sampling errors. This requires us to consider appropriate balance in data collection methods according to required degree of accuracy. Combination of these two methods may be effective in certain cases.

(d) Most countries are finding that computerization of data processing (summation, tabulation and analysis)

are quite effective in increasing efficiency of the work, in coming up with data quickly, and make calculation more accurate. It is recognized that data dissemination is greatly enhanced by connecting to Internet. However, countries differ greatly in their use of IT systems in their agricultural statistics activities. Therefore, it is considered necessary to promote computerization in certain countries.

(e) The necessity of improving human resource capacity was stressed to a great extent. First, statistical

activities on all levels (from fields to the national level) have to be strictly controlled in terms of quality; errors of all kinds have to be eliminated. Statistical personnel have to have sufficient understanding concerning statistical techniques such as sampling, interviews, measurement and calculation. They have to be trained for computer and communication technology. A wide range of training programs has to be implemented regularly to improve and maintain capability of these people.

Discussions in these seminars have refreshed interest in problems and solutions among personnel concerned. They also gave an opportunity to review statistical planning and operations, and enabled a wide range of agencies and offices to gain a wider perspective on statistics. This effect is expected to be particularly beneficial if these agencies and offices are isolated from others. They will communicate with each other more readily than before. Discussions and recommendations will serve as guidelines for the leaders of statistical institutions and, it is hoped, those of the governments in their efforts for improvements. These national seminars might also have intended to provide an occasion to attain the immediate objective of “National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans drawn up for the improvement of food and agricultural statistics and information, for implementation in participating countries”. If this had been possible, it would have been a major achievement of the project. However, the seminars were not equipped to achieve this task, as they neither had the mandate nor the time and resources to go beyond identification of issues and formulation of recommendations for the statistical system in their respective countries. The development of genuine National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans would have needed a general government agreement, as well as lengthy internal discussions and clearance procedures followed by budget allocations. Given its resources, seminar recommendations were as much as the project could achieve. Altogether, the evaluation mission found information limited on how the studies and seminars may have accelerated countries' improvement efforts. The effects appear to be rather indirect, and it is felt that continued efforts will be needed to promote and monitor statistical improvement. 5.1.2 Workshops on Specific Statistical Areas 5.1.2.1 General Observation These seminars and workshops were intended to address needs identified through the in-depth reviews and national seminars. In general terms, they dealt with methods and topics of importance identified in the foregoing studies. Participants appear to have benefited to varying degrees. Some country participants interviewed by the evaluation mission expressed their satisfaction because topics such as sampling methods were timely as their government was in the process of increasing the scope of sampling surveys. Yet some suggested that


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the workshops did not respond to their needs, that topics were too “advanced” for some countries and remained of purely “intellectual interest” to participants. Some workshops may have been simply irrelevant to certain participants’ country situations. The project document listed as possible topics of seminars and workshops “Food and Agricultural Production Statistics, Crop Forecasting, Supply Utilization Accounts, Food Balance Sheets, Food Consumption and Nutrition, Agricultural Prices, Input Statistics, Economic Accounts for Agriculture, etc …” (outputs 1.2 and 1.3) Of these topics, the seminars organized by the project featured remote sensing, multiple-frame sampling and fisheries statistics - a limited selection of topics caused by resources constraints, but not reflecting all requests coming from participating countries. Most of seminar discussions focused on technological matters. Problems of organizational arrangements, policy directions and resource requirements did not come up on the agendas. It may have been beyond the scope of the project to convene a meeting of higher-level to discuss these issues, but it would have been profitable. It is hoped that such discussion will take place under any possible project in the future. 5.1.2.2 Observation by Individual Seminar/Workshop FAO/SIAP SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON AGRICULTURAL SURVEYS BASED ON MULTIPLE FRAME SAMPLING

METHODS (BANGKOK, 22 TO 28 NOVEMBER 2000) Timely and reliable national statistics of each country's agricultural sector can only be provided by the establishment of an adequate, periodic, national agricultural survey based on probability sampling method. The country studies demonstrated that many countries in this region were making efforts to introduce sample surveys. However, there were still some constraints, such as the lack of government support for data collection, the high cost of agricultural surveys, the shortage of required skills and the failure to identify the most appropriate method. The seminar dealt with improvements to area frame sampling schemes by combining them with a list frame survey. It thus introduced an important topic of sampling. Although no country except Fiji currently practices, or experiments with, this type of sampling system, those countries implementing area frame survey, e.g. Myanmar, Bangladesh, China, etc, must have benefited from it. On the other hand, certain countries largely depending on administrative reporting may have had difficulty in understanding what was explained in the seminar; however, they should now have some insight into sampling survey systems. SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON MOVING TOWARDS AN AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SYSTEM FOR THE MARKET

ECONOMY (FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC BANGKOK, 15-20 JANUARY 2001) The workshop was targeted to a small number of countries in transition towards a market economy. It gave these countries an opportunity to exchange information based on their own experiences. It also provided them with information on the existing systems in Thailand as a model case. At the end of the workshop, each country participants listed necessary improvements to be made in each country. Participating countries visited by the mission highly valued the workshop, and at least one country is trying to introduce certain changes to its statistics system. On the other hand, some countries informed that their limited budgets did not allow them to implement necessary improvements. Overall, the workshop created a favourable atmosphere for future actions in these countries. THE SEMINAR ON REMOTE SENSING FOR AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS (FAO-RAP, 9-11 JUNE 1999) The seminar provided advanced technology information, which may open possibilities for improving statistical data collection methods and forecasting/monitoring crop situations. A large number of resource persons were brought to Bangkok from FAO Rome, USA, France, Thailand and Japan. The seminar recognized that remote sensing was useful to build frames for agricultural surveys, and that possibly a combination of area frame and list frame to form a multiple frame survey was desirable. However, attention was drawn to the cost factor (the need to purchase images annually) and problems arising from cloud cover. The seminar concluded that "governments should make decisions based on methodology that best fit their country and resources". The purpose was educational rather than practical, although some countries are actively exploring its uses for cropping suitability assessment and zoning and monitoring. Some countries may have limited possibility in employing this type of technology, owing to technology and cost factors.


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REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON IMPROVEMENT OF FISHERY STATISTICS IN ASIA AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES (FAO REGIONAL

OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC BANGKOK, 6-10 AUGUST 2001) The workshop was targeted to personnel working on sampling survey of fisheries, and mainly focused on the use of data processing package “Artfish” developed by FAO. This would provide countries that use sample survey systems with an opportunity to improve work efficiency. The workshop participants concluded that there was still much room for methodological and operational improvements in their countries, and that development in fishery statistics was hampered by shortage of skilled manpower, inadequate resources, absence of suitable methodologies, and lack of appreciation of the value of statistics by the general public as well as decision makers. They recommended that FAO should seek ways to institutionalize Artfish in countries needing statistical monitoring systems (which would need to involve some technical assistance), and concluded that a separate consultation should be organized on aquaculture monitoring. In fact, Cambodia (where staff also attended a national seminar jointly organized by FAO HQ, Mekong River Commission and Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) has employed an improved version of this system at provincial and national levels. Whether other countries in the region employ the system is not known to the mission. 5.1.3 National Statisticians and Data Users Trained through Seminars on Agricultural Statistics In terms of number of personnel who participated in the seminars, it may be said that the planned output of “two hundred (200) national statisticians and data users benefited from National Seminars on Agricultural in ten countries” (Output 1.4) was attained, except for those in two counties where the seminar did not take place. However, to what extent the seminars were designed for “training” these participants is questionable. Their major emphasis was placed on discussion/consultation. On the other hand, regional and sub-regional seminars/workshops more or less had the nature of training, although their approaches differed from one to another. 5.2 Plan for the Establishment of a Data Base and Facilities to Transfer Data in Electronic Format The project document stated that "dissemination of data was an important area to which countries attach high priority in response to the ever-increasing needs of data users. The traditional hard copy publications are produced, but often this method results in delays in releasing the information. Countries are now trying to capitalize on the technological progress in computer and telecommunication science to improve their information dissemination system." The project was to support the countries in their IT efforts through the formulation of a draft plan/project proposal for a Regional Data Exchange System on Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries. For this purpose, the project organized two meetings of focal points and developed proposals for the system, based also on the country studies and consultations with relevant officers in FAO HQ and RAP. Among others, in the first meeting of focal points (7-8 June 1999), the project invited officers from FAO HQ and concerned organizations and provided an overview of FAO WAICENT (World Agricultural Information Centre, which incorporates FAOSTAT, FAO's main statistical database) to better understand this database and information system. The second meeting of focal points (22-23 October 2001) was presented with an outline of the planned data exchange system. Opinions and suggestions made by focal points were to be reflected in the project's implementation approach. Prior to this, a Technical Consultation on the Establishment of a Regional Data Exchange System for Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries had taken place (20-22 March 2001), attended by 12 experts from Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. On the basis of information obtained from the country studies, regional/sub-regional meetings and consultations with relevant officers in FAO HQ and RAP, the project prepared a draft project proposal, which was subsequently approved by the donor, Government of Japan, in 2001, as project GCP/RAS/184/JPN. It appears that the outline presented to the various meetings did not contain many technical details of the proposed exchange system, and also that not many specific contributions were received from countries. Thus, the definition of the final shape of the proposed data and information exchange system has been left to the successor project, including finding agreement on common concepts, standards and classifications. While most member countries have expressed strong interest in the data exchange system, it is also clear that large discrepancies exits among them as regards their IT capabilities, as well as their capabilities to


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produce up-to-date datasets and have them translated for insertion in the regional exchange system. The follow-up project therefore must, apart from establishing the model for a regional exchange system, also pay close attention to the institutional capacities of statistical authorities of the participating countries and facilitate contacts with technical assistance donors wherever possible.

6. SPECIFIC TOPICS AND ISSUES

6.1 Cost-Effectiveness An observation of market and producer behaviour clearly demonstrates the importance of valid and timely data. Also, there is no doubt that economic analysis cannot take place without reliable data. The project design, however, contained no element of gauging the project's likely cost effectiveness, or to compare the project potential benefits against its costs. Yet, this is no fault of the project - rather, it reflects a general lack of systematic studies on the contribution of improved data to better agricultural policy making, which would ultimately lead to higher productivity and improved food security. There is no ready method available to assess the incremental value of improved agricultural and food security data. Most outcomes of improved data and policies based on them will become visible only with time, and a direct cause-effect will be difficult to establish. Moreover, while there is a general acceptance of the intrinsic value of reliable and objective data, there is also the threat that individual governments may be sensitive about policy-relevant data and reluctant to disclose them. For the project it is therefore important to obtain governments views and agreements on the data to be covered, and to point out the link between improved data, better policy analysis and more effective policy making. At the same time, it needs to ensure that the data fed into the regional exchange system are actually valid; where this is not the case, the merit of the entire system will diminish. Therefore, while the project can make a useful contribution to the knowledge about the regional agricultural and food security situation, its value will depend on the national statistical systems being able to reach and/or maintain acceptable levels of statistical standards. 6.2 Coordination of Project Activities with other Statistical Activities The project has become part of (and perhaps has triggered) a wider initiative towards the improvement of agricultural and food security information systems - several new initiatives have been taken in the recent past to address various aspects related to food security information and agricultural data in general. The Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry of ASEAN+3 countries discussed cooperation for strengthening food security in the region in October 2001 and agreed to promote the development of ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS). Several parallel interventions are now being planned or already under way, supported by different organizations: AFSIS by ASEAN, Asia FIVIMS and Food Demand/Supply Forecasting Model, bilateral cooperation projects by JICA, and so forth. In this context, the project document for GCP/RAS/184/JPN stipulates that "the project will exert as far as feasible maximum cooperation among related on-going and pipeline projects to achieve desired optimal utilization of resources and synergy in project activities". In addition, there have been changes in statistical methodologies over the years. Statistical units in FAO have reviewed and modified some of their data collection, inputting, processing, analysis and dissemination approaches in recent years. In particular, the FAOSTAT system is undergoing a major revision and will be equipped with new and more powerful features in the near future. This has important ramifications for the future, as "established FAO manuals, guidelines and recommendations on statistics and information systems" are to be used "as principal references of the project" (GCP/RAS/184/JPN). The project is also likewise expected to "build up close connection with related Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS) projects of FAO in the region". These coordination requirements are an opportunity as well as a challenge for the project. An opportunity, because as the forerunner in this field, it can influence the design and shape the directions of similar projects. A challenge, because most other projects have not taken a clear form yet, and no effective arrangements have been put in place to monitor and review developments. As the other projects are moving closer to their approval and implementation stages, comprehensive information and coordination arrangements need to be found.


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ANNEXES

Terms Of Reference for the Evaluation Mission Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries (GCP/RAS/171/JPN) and Strengthening Regional Data Exchange System on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries (GCP/RAS/184/JPN) Evaluation Mission – Terms of Reference 1. Background The two projects funded by Japan "Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/171/JPN) and "Strengthening Regional Data Exchange System on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/184/JPN) share the same development objective, which is for the countries of the Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS) to have a sound statistical system capable of (i) providing data and information for planning and policy making in the food and agriculture sector with the aim of raising the living standard and nutritional status of people, especially the rural poor, and (ii) exchanging these data with other countries to support national, regional and global food security programmes and policies. GCP/RAS/171/JPN has the immediate objectives of “National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans drawn up for the improvement of food and agricultural statistics and information, for implementation in participating countries”, and to ”plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities, in a number of countries, to provide a capability to transfer data in electronic format both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO, using common concepts, standards and classifications”, while GCP/RAS/184/JPN is to achieve a “phased implementation of the Master Plan for the Regional Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics, following concepts formulated by the previous regional project, to transfer data both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO, in electronic format”, and to “strengthen national capacity to analyse, use and disseminate food and agricultural statistics in support of national agricultural development policy and planning, including associated food security and poverty alleviation concerns”. GCP/RAS/171/JPN has a project period of four years, from May 1998 to April 2002 with a budget of US$ 949,610. The following main results have been achieved: in-depth studies on national food and agricultural statistical systems in participating countries (including identification and prioritization of their data needs), and 200 national statisticians and data users benefited from National Seminars on Agricultural Statistics in ten countries. In addition, various reports (on meetings of focal points, on the use of remote sensing in agricultural statistics, etc) have been produced as well as forty 40 national statisticians trained through regional seminars and workshops. Finally, a master plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities, in a number of countries, to provide a capability to transfer data both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO in electronic format, has been prepared. GCP/RAS/184/JPN has only recently begun operations, with a planned duration of three years (December 2001 to November 2004) and a budget of US$ 679,731. 2. Purpose of the Evaluation "Improvement of Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/171/JPN) will terminate in April 2002. The project has assisted participating countries to clarify the situation on food and agriculture statistics, supported them to improve their agricultural statistics, and formulated the project proposal for the follow-up phase project. The follow-up project, "Strengthening Regional Data Exchange System on Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries" (GCP/RAS/184/JPN), already started in December 2001. At the end of four years of operation of GCP/RAS/171/JPN, an independent evaluation will provide an objective assessment of all key aspects of the project with recommendations for any necessary changes in the project design and implementation orientation of the follow-up project. Furthermore, as the follow-up phase project is intended to stimulate as far as possible cooperation among related on-going and pipeline projects (to achieve optimal utilization of resources and synergy), there is a need to clarify the project’s concrete relationship with those projects.


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3. Scope of the Evaluation The mission will assess: For GCP/RAS/171/JPN: 1. Relevance of the project to development priorities and needs of member countries. 2. Clarity and realism of the project's development and immediate objectives, including specification of targets and identification of beneficiaries and prospects for sustainability. 3. Quality, clarity and adequacy of project design including: • clarity and logical consistency between, inputs, activities, outputs and progress towards achievement of

objectives (quality, quantity and time-frame); • realism and clarity in the specification of prior obligations and pre-requisites (assumptions and risks); • realism and clarity of external institutional relationships, and in the managerial and institutional

framework for implementation of the work plan; • likely cost-effectiveness of the project. 4. Efficiency and adequacy of project implementation including: availability of funds as compared with budget for both the donor and national components; the quality and timeliness of input delivery by both FAO and the Governments; adequacy of technical expertise to meet the needs of member countries for technical assistance; managerial and work efficiency; implementation difficulties; adequacy of monitoring and reporting; the extent of national support and commitment and the quality and quantity of administrative and technical support by FAO. 5. Project results, including a full and systematic assessment of outputs produced to date (quantity and quality as compared with workplan and progress towards achieving the immediate objectives). 6. The prospects for sustaining the project's results by the beneficiaries after the termination of the project. For GCP/RAS/184/JPN: 1. Review of the activities initiated follow-up phase project, including an assessment of its work plan and efforts made regarding the harmonization of the project with other relevant projects (in particular the Asia FIVIMS Project and the planned ASEAN support project). The evaluation will also assess – to the extent possible – the likely cost-effectiveness of the project. Based on the above analysis the mission will draw specific conclusions and make recommendations to the project GCP/RAS/184/JPN, and also draw attention to any lessons of general interest. 4. Composition of the Mission The mission will consist of two independent experts, one representing the donor country, one representing FAO. At least one mission member will have a background in the agricultural statistics sector. Expertise in training and/or human resource development should also be present in the mission's background, as well as experience in project evaluation. The FAO representative will serve as the team leader, who will have overall responsibility for coordinating the mission activities and for finalizing the mission report. Mission members should be independent and thus have no previous direct involvement with the project either with regard to its formulation, implementation or backstopping. 5. Timetable and Itinerary of the Mission Duration: one month Starting date: 22 April 2002 22 April 2002 Arrival at Bangkok from Rome and Tokyo 23-24 Internal meeting in the mission, meeting with the project 25-30 Country visit to Thailand 01 May 2002 Departure for Cambodia 02-04 Country visit to Cambodia 05 Departure for Bangladesh 06-07 Country visit to Bangladesh


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08 Departure for China 09-13 Country visit to China 14 Departure for Thailand 15-21 Preparation of report, meeting with the project 22 May 2002 Departure for Rome and Tokyo As not all participating countries can be visited by the mission, a short questionnaire will be designed and circulated to the concerned countries prior to the mission. 6. Consultations The mission will maintain close liaison with the representatives of the donor and FAO and the concerned national agencies, as well as with national and international project staff. Although the mission should feel free to discuss with the authorities concerned anything relevant to its assignment, it is not authorized to make any commitments on behalf of the Government, the donor, or FAO. 7. Reporting The mission is fully responsible for its independent report which may not necessarily reflect the views of the Government, the donor or FAO. The report will be written in conformity with the FAO guidelines for evaluation reports and submitted to FAO. The report will be completed, to the extent possible, in Thailand and the findings and recommendations fully discussed with all concerned parties and wherever possible consensus achieved. The mission will also complete the FAO Project Evaluation Questionnaire. The mission leader bears responsibility for finalization of the report, which will be submitted to FAO within two weeks of mission completion. FAO will submit the report to the Government of Japan together with its comments and recommendations.


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Itinerary and persons met (Mr Kimihiko Eura, Agricultural Statistics Expert/CTA of project GCP/RAS/184/JPN, accompanied the mission as resource person) 23 April (Tue) Bangkok FAO/RAP Mr R B Singh, Assistant Director General/Regional Representative, FAO Mr Dong Qingsong, Deputy Regional Representative, FAO Mr J Sterringa, Country Project Officer, FAO Mr F D Baker, Senior Regional Statistician, FAO 24 April (Wed) Bangkok FAO/RAP - internal meeting 25 April (Thu) Bangkok Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) Mr Supan Karnchanasutham, Director Geographic Information System Branch Ms Yupa Limsawad, Statistician 8 Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing Branch Mr Chalit Amnuay, Director Center for Agricultural Information (Focal Point) Mr Shunichi Furukawa, JICA Expert/Senior Researcher Center for Agricultural Information 26 April (Fri) Bangkok Embassy of Japan Mr Ichio Yaoya, First Secretary Mr Yoshitake Tsuzuki, First Secretary Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) Ms Anchalee Ooraikul, Deputy Secretary General Mr Montol Jeamcharoen, Chief Agricultural Forecasting Division 27 April (Sat) Bangkok Document review, drafting 28 April (Sun) Bangkok Document review, drafting 29 April (Mon) Bangkok National Statistics Office Ms Jirawan Boonperm, Senior Expert on Socio-Economic Statistics Ms Sunee Leenothai, Director, Economic Statistics Division, NSO Ms Ruamporn Sirirattrakul, Expert on Fishery Statistics Department of Livestock Development, MOAC Ms Monnipa Artsuwan, Chief Data Processing and Statistics Branch 30 April (Tue) Bangkok Department of Agricultural Extension, MOAC Ms Pissamai Satayavibul, Chief Agricultural Information Subdivision Ms Sunisa Soonyapabipark, Foreign Relations Officer Planning Division Ms Omsap Viyaksnoiras, Policy and Planning Analyst, Planning Division Ms Wanlapa Sithipitak, Policy and Planning Analyst, Agricultural Information Subdivision Department of Fisheries, MOAC Mr Wattana Leelapat, Director Fisheries Economics Division Ms Marina Waiyaslip, Senior Statistician Fisheries Statistics & Information Technology Subdivision FAO/RAP Mr Biplab Nandi, Senior Food and Nutrition Officer 1 May (Wed) Bangkok Departure for Cambodia


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2 May (Thu) Phnom Penh Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Mr Chek Nann, Chief Statistics Office, DPSIC, MAFF (Focal Point) Mr Siv Nhan, Deputy Director Department of Animal Health and Production, MAFF Mr Hem Sophal, Officer-in-Charge Crop Statistics Department of Agronomy, MAFF Mr Tour Vannak, Officer in Statistics Office, DPSIC National Institute of Statistics (NIS), Ministry of Planning Mr Seng Soeurn, Deputy Director General NIS 3 May (Fri) Phnom Penh Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) Mr Thor Sensereivoth, Chief Fisheries Statistics Section, Department of Fisheries, MAFF Mr Lim Saodv, Vice Chief Marketing Information Office, DPSIC, MAFF Mr Chek Nann, Chief Statistics Office, DPSIC, MAFF Mr Kith Seng, Deputy Director DPSIC, MAFF FAO Representation Mr Jean-Claude Levasseur, FAO Representative Mr Sao Sopheap, Programme Assistant 4 May (Sat) Phnom Penh FAO Representation Mr Y P Gautam, Chief Technical Advisor (Ag Statistician) UTF/CMB/003/CMB (Ag Productivity Improvement Project) Departure for Bangladesh (via Bangkok) 5 May (Sun) Dhaka Arrival Bangladesh 6 May (Mon) Dhaka FAO Representation Ms Bui Thi Lan, FAO Representative Mr Kazayuki Ono, SPFS Professional Officer Mr Subash Dasgupta, National Professional Officer Mr A K M Sayedur Rahman, Programme Officer Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Ms Ferdous Nurun Ara, Director Agriculture Wing (designated Focal Point) Mr Abu Bakar Siddique, former Director Agriculture Wing (former Focal Point) Mr Utpal Majumdar, Deputy Director, Agriculture Wing (attended FAO seminar in 2001 in Delhi) Mr Mojib Ullah, Statistical Officer, Agriculture Wing Mr Nazrul Islam, Programmer, Agriculture Wing 7 May (Tue) Dhaka Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Mr Durgapada Vatcharjee, Deputy Director Health & Demography Wing Ms Akhter Jahan, Deputy Director Finance, Administration and Management Information Wing Ministry of Agriculture Mr M Habibur Rahman, Joint Chief Planning, Planning Wing Mr Abdus Salam, Deputy Chief, Planning Wing Mr Fazlur Rahman, Deputy Chief, Planning Wing Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council Mr Anwar Iqbal, former National Project Director BGD/95/006 (GIS Project) 8 May (Wed) Dhaka Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Ms Ferdous Nurun Ara, Director Agriculture Wing Mr Serajul Kabir, Project Director Ag Census Project


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FAO Representation Ms Bui Thi Lan, FAO Representative Departure for China 9 May (Thu) Beijing Arrival China 10 May (Fri) Beijing Ministry of Agriculture Mrs Zhang Yuxiang, Deputy Director-General, Dept. of Market and Economic Information, Ministry of Agriculture Mr Chen Lishui, Division Director, Dept. of Market and Economic Information, Ministry of Agriculture Mr Han Xu, Section Chief, Statistics, Information and Price Division, Market and Economic Information Department Mr Zhao Gang, Division of International Cooperation, Bureau of Fisheries Mr Xu Hongyuan, Deputy Director, Dept. of Development Planning, Ministry of Agriculture Mr He Chunpei, Professor, Scientech Documentation and Information Center, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences National Bureau of Statistics Mr Wang Yue Xin, Chief/Senior Statistician, General Organization of Rural Socio-Economic Survey Mr Mao Feng, Director, Division of Special Survey Mr Bai Kang, Deputy Director, Division of Organization and Guidance of Statistics Surveys State Forestry Bureau Mrs Liu Jianjie, Deputy Division Director, Dept. of Development Planning and Fund Administration, National Bureau of Forestry FAO Representation Mr Gamal M Ahmed, FAO Representative Mr Sun Yin Hong, Programme Officer 11 May (Sat) Beijing Field trip 12 May (Sun) Beijing Review/report writing 13 May (Mon) Beijing Ministry of Agriculture Ms Li Guiqun, Adviser Economist, Statistics, Information and Price Division, Market and Economic Information Department Mr Xu Hongyuan, Division of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, Department of Development Planning National Bureau of Statistics Mr Bai Kang, Deputy Director, Division of Organization and Guidance of Statistics Surveys 14 May (Tue) Beijing FAO Representation Departure for Thailand 15 May (Wed) Bangkok Report writing/final discussions 16 May (Thu) Bangkok Report writing/final discussions 17 May (Fri) Bangkok Report writing/final discussions


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18 May (Sat) Bangkok Report writing 19 May (Sun) Bangkok Report writing 20 May (Mon) Bangkok FAO/RAP - Debriefing


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List of Technical Cooperation Personnel (Project Staff, Consultants)

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Name Function Starting Date Concluding Date

Mr Ryuki IKEDA Agricultural Statistics Expert

September 1998 December 2001

Ms Luisa Kosaisaevee Secretary October 1998 April 2002 Mr Romeo S Recide International Consultant

in Fishery Statistics July 2001 August 2001

10 For GCP/RAS/171/JPN


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List of Training Seminars, Workshops, Consultations Organized by the Project National Seminars Cambodia 3-4 November 1999 Bhutan 25-26 January 2000 Nepal 5-16 December 1999 China 23-24 September 1999 Lao PDR 3-4 August 2000 Viet Nam 20-21 June 2000 Myanmar 29-30 January 2001 Thailand 19 December 2001 Regional/sub-regional Workshops FAO/SIAP SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON AGRICULTURAL SURVEYS BASED ON MULTIPLE FRAME SAMPLING METHODS (BANGKOK, 22 TO 28 NOVEMBER 2000) Jointly organized with the FAO Regular Programme and the Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific (SIAP); 39 participants from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, DPR Korea, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam. SUB-REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON MOVING TOWARDS AN AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS SYSTEM FOR THE MARKET ECONOMY (FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC BANGKOK, 15-20 JANUARY 2001) Jointly organized with the FAO Regular Programme; 23 representatives from Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar and Viet Nam. SEMINAR ON REMOTE SENSING FOR AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS (FAO-RAP, 9-11 JUNE 1999) Attended by 15 Focal Points and 19 resource persons and observers from FAO HQ, Japan, France, USA and the Asian Center for Research on Remote Sensing. REGIONAL WORKSHOP ON IMPROVEMENT OF FISHERY STATISTICS IN ASIA AND PACIFIC COUNTRIES (FAO REGIONAL OFFICE FOR ASIA AND THE PACIFIC BANGKOK, 6-10 AUGUST 2001) Organized in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI) of FAO HQ; 16 participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. SUB-REGIONAL TECHNICAL CONSULTATION ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DATA EXCHANGE SYSTEM FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS IN ASIA AND THE PACIFIC REGION (FAO REGIONAL OFFICE BANGKOK, 20-22 MARCH 2001) Attended by 12 experts from ten countries (Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam), representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Japan), FAO headquarters and FAO Regional Office. ASEAN WORKSHOP ON FOOD SECURITY COOPERATION AND A RICE RESERVE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN EAST ASIA (NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND, 19 TO 20 JULY 2001) The project supported the organization of the workshop upon the request of the main organizer, the MOAC, Thailand. Attended by 72 delegates from 13 member countries of ASEAN+3: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam plus China, Japan, Republic of Korea. The delegates were government officials in charge of food security or agricultural statistics. Participants from the ASEAN Secretariat and the following international organisations were also present: the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, Japan International Agricultural Council (JIAC), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and International Development Centre of Japan (IDCJ). The project also invited eight participants in charge of agricultural statistics from China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Viet Nam.


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Focal Point Meetings FIRST MEETING OF FOCAL POINTS (FAO-RAP, 7-8 JUNE 1999) 34 participants from participating countries of the project as well as from other APCAS member countries, FAO Rome Headquarters and concerned organizations on agricultural statistics as resource persons or observers. SECOND MEETING OF FOCAL POINTS (FAO/RAP, 22-23 OCTOBER 2001) Attended by Focal Points or their substitutes from 16 participating countries; officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan; observers from the Embassy of Japan and Japan International Cooperation Agencies (JICA); and officials from FAO HQ and the Regional Office, Bangkok.


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Reports and Other Information Materials Produced by the Project Regional/Sub-Regional Level Meetings • Proceedings of the First Meeting of Focal Points and the Seminar on Remote Sensing for Agricultural

Statistics - Volume 1: Report of the Meeting and Seminar (Field Document No.1 - 1, 2000) - Volume 2: Papers presented at the Meeting and Seminar (Field Document No.1 - 2, 2000)

• Proceedings of Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific Countries (Field Document No.2, 2001)

• Proceedings of Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region (Field Document No.3, 2001)

• Proceedings of the Second Meeting of Focal Points (Field Document No.4, to be prepared until end of the project)

Country Studies BANGLADESH General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Bangladesh (Field Document No.2/BNG/1, to be prepared until end of the project) BHUTAN General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Bhutan (Field Document No.2/BHU/1, 2000) Proceedings of the National Seminar on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Bhutan - Volume 1: Report of the Seminar (Field Document No.2/BHU/2, 2000) - Volume 2: Papers presented the Seminar (Field Document No.2/BHU/3, 2000) CAMBODIA General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Cambodia (Field Document No.2/CMB/1, 2000) Proceedings of the National Seminar on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Cambodia - Volume 1: Report of the Seminar (Field Document No.2/CMB/2, 2000) - Volume 2: Papers presented the Seminar (Field Document No.2/CMB/3, 2000) CHINA General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in China (Field Document No.2/CHN/1, to be prepared until end of the project) Proceedings of the National Seminar on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in China - Volume 1: Report of the Seminar (Field Document No.2/CHN/2, 2000) - Volume 2: Papers presented the Seminar (Field Document No.2/CHN/3, 2000) IRAN General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Iran (Field Document No.2/IRN/1, to be prepared until end of the project) Technical Papers on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Iran (Field Document No.2/IRN/2) LAO PDR General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Lao PDR (Field Document No.2/LAO/1, to be prepared until end of the project) Proceedings of the National Seminar on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Lao PDR - Volume 1: Report of the Seminar (Field Document No.2/LAO/2, 2000) - Volume 2: Papers presented the Seminar (Field Document No.2/ LAO /3, 2000) MYANMAR General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Myanmar (Field Document No.2/MYN/1, to be prepared until end of the project) Proceedings of the National Seminar on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Myanmar - Volume 1: Report of the Seminar (Field Document No.2/ MYN /2, 2001) - Volume 2: Papers presented the Seminar (Field Document No.2/ MYN /3, 2001)


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NEPAL General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Nepal (Field Document No.2/NEP/1, 2000) Proceedings of the National Seminar on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Nepal - Volume 1: Report of the Seminar (Field Document No.2/NEP/2, 2000) - Volume 2: Papers presented the Seminar (Field Document No.2/ NEP /3, 2000) THAILAND General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Thailand (Field Document No.2/THL/1, to be prepared until end of the project) Proceedings of the National Seminar on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Thailand - Volume 1: Report of the Seminar (Field Document No.2/ THL/2, to be prepared until end of the project) - Volume 2: Papers presented the Seminar (Field Document No.2/ THL/3, to be prepared until end of the project) VIET NAM General Status of the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Viet Nam (Field Document No.2/VNM/1) Proceedings of the National Seminar on the System of Food and Agriculture Statistics in Viet Nam - Volume 1: Report of the Seminar (Field Document No.2/ VNM /2, 2000) - Volume 2: Papers presented the Seminar (Field Document No.2/ VNM /3, 2000) Reports prepared by other Bodies • Summary Report of the ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve

Management System in East Asia (generated by Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand) • Summary report of the Sub-regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System

for the Market Economy (generated by FAO/RAP)


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Country Briefs

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Bangladesh Focal Point: Ms Ferdous Nurun Ara, Director Agriculture Wing, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, (designated Focal Point) Organization/status of statistical system in country The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is entrusted with the prime responsibility for all official statistics and, in the agricultural sector, estimation of area and production is a major regular activity of BBS. The Bureau lost its independent status (on par with ministry) in a recent government reshuffle and is now under the Ministry of Planning. BBS’s total staff number is 3794 (down from earlier years due to hiring ban); the Bureau has 23 Regional Offices and 460 Thana Offices. The crop statistics provide post-harvest estimates. BBS does not produce any pre-harvest forecasts of production. Both subjective and objective methods are used to obtain crop estimates. The subjective method of eye estimation is used for many crops, and usually initiated at union levels. The Thana statistical office staff collect the estimates, based on assessment of opinions of farmers interviewed and appraisals of the current crop conditions. The objective method refers to the use of probability sample areas and objective yield measurements. Crop-cutting is used mainly for rice and jute, but has been extended to wheat, potato and mustard. Five cultivators are selected at random from union council assessment lists. Data on acreage and production of a crop by these selected cultivators are used to estimate yield of the crop. The field staff are instructed to verify acreage figures by measuring the plots containing the crop and check production by examining disposition figures namely consumption, sales and stocks. The cluster area samples are based on a 1960 sample agricultural census, which covered 10% of the total area of Bangladesh, excluding big rivers, urban areas and area under government forest. The Directorate of Agricultural Extension (DAE) in the Ministry of Agriculture also collects data on area planted, yield and production, from the planting to the harvesting stage of the crop growing cycle. The Directorate has 64 district offices, covering each district of the country, each headed by a Deputy Director and staffed with Crop Production Specialists and District Training Officers. Each district covers 8-10 Thanas. The Thana level office is headed by the Thana Agriculture Officer (TAO), and staffed with one Additional Agriculture Officer and one Agricultural Extension Officer as well as Block Supervisors which are in daily direct contact with the farmers at block level. There are some 11,000 Block Supervisors for the whole country and they are responsible for reporting, every two weeks, according to prescribed forms, on major agricultural developments in the blocks supervised by them. This information is aggregated, at Thana level, by the TAO; it is then aggregated at district level and from there transmitted, through the Additional Director of the region, to the DAE central office for final processing and analysis. The Field Services Wing (FSW) in DAE is responsible for guidance and supervision of the day-to-day activities of the DAE field staff at all levels. The fortnightly progress reports on the implementation of the production programmes provide information on the area planted to a specific crop and compare this with the targeted area. In addition, ad-hoc information is provided on (i) areas inundated by floods and (ii) other crop damages due to natural calamities. Besides the Field Services Wing with its operational functions, there are another seven subject matter oriented wings with normative functions. They too collect agricultural information and data at various instances during the agricultural year. The Agriculture Wing of BBS Agriculture is quite confident about the authenticity and accuracy of their data. However, its dependence on manual handling of data can result in considerable time lags between field survey and data publication. In addition, sample survey system made it impossible to disaggregate data into small administrative areas, such as Thana and Union. The mission heard complaints from outside users (MOA and Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council) concerning delays in data availability, and non-availability of data they need in terms of data items and small area indication. On the other hand, MOA and other line ministries concerned with food, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and water resources still collect wide-ranging information through their channels of administrative reporting. Data

11 The country briefs are based on observations of the mission and available background material. Briefs on countries not visited by the mission refer mainly to participation in workshops and other activities organized by the project.


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collected are quick and can indicate small areas. It is also easy to add new data items to be collected. However, they may have upward and downward biases. There is no means of evaluating the degree of accuracy unless one conducts another survey to double-check them. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 11-15 September 2000 National Seminar The national seminar could not be held due to time constraints at the focal point organization Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Abu Bakar Siddique, BBS/former Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Durga Pada Bhattacharjee, BBS, Ms Akhtar Jahan, BBS, The two participants of the Regional Seminar on Multiple Frame Sampling were subsequently transferred to positions not related to agricultural statistics.) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Abu Bakar Siddique, BBS/former Focal Point) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Abu Bakar Siddique, BBS/former Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Ms Ferdous Nurun Ara, BBS/designated Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Bangladesh In 1995, a resource allocation map for food-assisted development programme was jointly prepared by the programming division of the Planning Commission, World Food Programme, Agricultural Wing of BBS and Disaster Management Bureau of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief. A GIS Project BGD/95/006 was implemented by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council from 1997 to 2001. The Bangladesh Institute for Research and Training on Applied Nutrition (BIRTAN) under Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh has been designated as implementation agency of the FIVIMS project in Bangladesh. BBS conducted a Census of Agriculture 3 times in the past, covering all farm households: 1977, 1983/84 and 1996. The detailed statistical data from the last census came out in 1999. BBS intends to implement the next Ag Census in 2003 and currently is trying to identify international donors. However, it probably will not take place until year 2004 or later. Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system In both BBS and the Ministry of Agriculture, computer data processing and reporting is not advanced. In the case of BBS, individual survey forms and questionnaires are directly sent to HQ and processed either by a mainframe computer system, microcomputers or manually. Given a large number of data forms to process, computation and tabulation are likely to take a long time. This will lead to long time lags between field survey and publication. At BBS HQ, only a small number of personal computers is installed and Internet connection is limited. Facsimile transmission is obviously not commonly practised. The BBS overall already has some Internet presence; the Agricultural Wing, according to the director, will have an Internet/email connection in 3-4 months’ time.


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Cambodia Focal Point: Mr Chek Nann, Statistics Office, DPSIC Organization/status of statistical system in country The Statistical Office in the Department of Planning, Statistics and International Cooperation (DPSIC) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is in charge of planning and implementing statistical surveys. The National Institute of Statistics under the Ministry of Planning is in charge of censuses, socio-economic surveys, establishment surveys, etc, in addition to coordination among ministries on statistics. There is as yet no government decree on the collection, processing and analysis of statistics; the activities of the various bodies active in statistics are governed by sub-decrees (prakas) issued by the departments concerned. (A draft decree has been prepared.) This confirms the statement in the in-depth review paper on Cambodia that "NIS and each ministry work independently and NIS has no mandate to check the statistics produced by other ministries". Most data on agriculture are collected by the technical units in District Agriculture Offices, then reported to Planning and Statistics Offices of the Provincial Agricultural Departments before being sent off to MAFF HQ. In terms of agricultural statistics, NIS has the main task to produce the National Account for Agriculture, based on data supplied by MAFF. Major initiatives concerning statistical activities have, as a rule, been implemented with donor assistance. Support was, and is, needed for budgetary assistance as well as for human resources development. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 27-31/01/1999 National Seminar 3- 4/11/1999 (34 Cambodian officials from: (i) Statistics Office, DPSIC/MAFF; (ii) Marketing Office, DPSIC/MAFF; (iii) Department of Agronomy, MAFF; (iv) Department of Animal Health and Production, MAFF; (v) General Directorate of Fisheries, MAFF; (vi) National Institute of Statistics, Ministry of Planning; (vii) 3 Provincial Agricultural Offices, MAFF Seminar on Fishery Statistics, held in Phnom Penh by FAO (Senior Fishery Data Officer from FAO HQ) in collaboration with Mekong River Commission and MAFF, among others for a presentation of Artfish(FAO-developed system of statistical approaches, technical documents and computer software to streamline survey operations and analyse data collected from the field). Artfish has subsequently been adopted by the Department of Fisheries and Provincial Offices. (This workshop was not directly supported by the project.) Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Men Sothy, DPSIC) Sub-Regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System for the Market Economy was jointly organized with the FAO regular programme. The workshop was held from 15-20 January 2001 in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAO RAP) in Bangkok, (Participants: Mr Meas Sotheavy, DPSIC, Mr Heng Kra, DPSIC, Mr Seng Soeurn, NIS, Mr Tuon Thavrak, General Department of Planning) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr Chek Nann, DPSIC/Focal Point) ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia was held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 19 to 20 July 2001 (Participant: Mr Neou Kompheak, ASEAN Unit in MAFF, Mr Chek Nann, DPSIC/Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Tour Vannak, DPSIC)


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First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Chek Nann, DPSIC/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Chek Nann, DPSIC/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Cambodia FAO project "Training for Agricultural Statistics" (TCP/CMB/4452, 1994/96): developed sample survey methods for crops and livestock based on interview and crop-cuts. FAO project "Agricultural Market Information Improvement" (TCP/CMB/6611): ran in 1997/98, and set up an information system to monitor mainly wholesale prices. A cost of production survey of rice and maize was undertaken in 1997/98 with support from ADB and FAO From 1994 to 2001, DANIDA provided assistance to Department of Fisheries for management of freshwater capture fisheries, which included data collection. World Bank loan-funded “Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project (APIP)": has a component "Agricultural Statistics Sub-sector" with a technical assistance part (essentially provision of expert services) implemented by FAO (UTF/CMB/003/CMB). Project period (of the TA part) is 1999 to 2002, and includes among others training, as well as the introduction of additional sampling survey trials on crops and livestock. A population census was done in 1998 with support from UNFPA Four Cambodia Socio-economic Surveys (CSES) were undertaken between 1993 and 1997, with support from ADB, UNDP, UNFPA, SIDA and the World Bank. Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system Statistics Office, DPSIC/MAFF and National Institute of Statistics, Ministry of Planning are soliciting support from potential donors for undertaking the Agriculture Census (implementation was planned for 2003; that date appears unlikely now). The NIS has email connectivity and operates a website; also some provincial government offices have email access. The Statistics Office, DPSIC/MAFF has as yet no Internet/email access. (However, indirectly through the “Agriculture Productivity Improvement Project", access exists.) Full access will come with the move into a new office building (funded from APIP). Both Statistics Office, DPSIC/MAFF and NIS express interest in the regional data and information exchange system. To a limited extent, they already use international data in their analytical work, and they also receive requests from government for data and statistics from foreign sources. Full involvement in the exchange system will require assistance, above all in terms of training and advice. (A limited amount of IT hardware will come from APIP.)


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China Focal Point: Ms Zhang Yuxiang, Deputy Director General of Market and Economic Information Department, Ministry of Agriculture Organization/status of statistical system in country Two major agencies are in charge of agricultural statistics, namely, National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and Ministry of Agriculture (MOA). National Bureau of Forestry, an independent agency, is taking care of forestry statistics. In NBS, General Directorate of Rural Socio-Economic Survey is in charge of agricultural sector. It has shifted data collection priority from agricultural production to socio-economic development, economic returns, production structural adjustment, consumption, stocks, etc. Its survey methods have also changed from administrative reporting to sampling system. Provinces, prefectures and cities have rural survey teams, which are responsible for fieldwork and reporting to upper-level offices. For Agricultural Census 1997, NBS set up a “National Agricultural Census Office”. MOA and other related agencies cooperated with NBS in the census implementation. Market and Economic Information Department (MEID) plays a central role in MOA’s statistical activities by collecting crop data. Data collection largely depends on administrative reporting from villages to the Ministry headquarters through counties, prefectures and provinces. However, certain key data such as production of major crops and forward estimation are collected through interviews, counting and measurement on a sample basis (key investigation). Presently, production forecasting and market price information draw greater attention under increasingly market-oriented economies. Other line agencies of MOA, such as Animal Husbandry Department, Fishery Department, Farm Machinery Department, Land Reclamation Department, etc, collect data concerning animals, fisheries, machinery, and land use primarily through administrative reporting. Government restructuring has affected manpower for agricultural statistics in MEID. Recently, number of personnel in Statistics, Information and Price Division was reduced from 50 to 35. It is reported that advances in information technology have helped to compensate for the reduction in workforce. Close coordination between NBS and MOA is being undertaken. The two institutions cooperated in Agricultural Census implementation. They also hold frequent meetings to discuss data gaps collected by both institutions (double-track system) so that the country may have “unique” data. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 21-28/9/1999 National Seminar 23-24/9/1999 (18 Chinese officials from: (i) Department of Market and Economic Information, MOA; (ii) Department of Fisheries, (iii) National Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service, MOA; (iv) Department of International Cooperation, MOA (v) Rural Economic Investigation Brigade, NBS; (vi) Division of Development Planning and Fund Administration, State Forest Bureau; (vii) Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Ms Zhang Yuxiang, MEID/Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Bai Kang, NBS, Mr Han Xu, MEID) Sub-Regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System for the Market Economy was jointly organized with the FAO regular programme. The workshop was held from 15-20 January 2001 in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP) in Bangkok (Participants: Mr Min Yao Liang, MEID, Mr Xu Hongyuan, Department of Development Planning, MOA, Mr Mao Feng, NBS, Mr Qiu Tianchao, National Development Planning Commission)


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ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia was held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 19 to 20 July 2001 (Participant: Mr Wang Dewen, Department of Agricultural Policy and Reguration, MOA, Dr Yu Shixiang, State Grain Administration of China, Dr Fengying Nie, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Zhao Gang, Bureau of Fisheries, MOA) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Ms Zhang Yuxiang, MEID/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Han Xu, MEID) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in China China conducted its first-ever National Agricultural Census in January 1997. FAO and Government of Italy supported its implementation. The census provided important and wide-ranging information to the nation: (1) scale and structure of households, (2) number of township enterprises, (3) number, quality and structure of rural labour force, (4) agricultural technology and equipment, (5) scale and social economy of rural towns, and (6) discrepancies in data obtained through previous regular statistical surveys and the census. It is reported that USDA is assisting China in agricultural statistics. However, details are not known. Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system In recent years, both NBS and MOA have placed greater stress on sample-based surveys to replace administrative reporting on certain data items of importance. Declining reliability of administrative reporting due to the transition to a more market oriented economy may have motivated this shift to direct survey methods. Availability of census data will accelerate the trend, because they provide an ideal information basis for sampling frame. For the past 10 years, both NBS and MOA have published statistical reports every year. They provide wide-ranging data on all sectors of Chinese economy and society, including agricultural sector, allowing the public to access to basic data. NBS provides the yearbook data on Internet. MOA intends to do the same with the Yearbook of Agricultural Statistics, but this has not been realized yet due to funding shortage. Computer installation is proceeding rapidly. Presently, provinces and prefectures are equipped with personal computers, which are connected to the Internet. On county level, approximately 700 out of 2,700 county offices of MOA have installed PCs on a pilot basis. Some of the computers used are quite outdated. Increasing openness and transparency of statistical data is apparent, as seen in yearbook publication and Agricultural Census reporting. Against this background, MOA (MEID) is willing to join GCP/RAS/184/JPN activities in developing a statistical database, which will lead to data dissemination to member countries through Internet.


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Thailand Focal Point: Mr Chalit Amnuay, Director of Center for Agricultural Information (CAE), Office of Agricultural Economics (OAE), Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC) Organization/status of statistical system in country Thailand has “decentralised system” for statistical data collection by the government. Two major agencies are in charge of agricultural statistics, namely National Statistics Office (NSO) of and Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives (MOAC). In NSO, Economic Statistical Division is in charge of statistics for economic activities, which includes agriculture. NSO conducts Census of Agriculture, Census of Fisheries, Intercensal Survey of Agriculture and Intercensal Survey of Fisheries. The Agricultural Census has been undertaken four times in the past, viz. in 1950, 1963, 1978 and 1993. The fifth Census is scheduled for 2003. It covers farm households on complete survey basis. NSO does not have legal mandate to coordinate or control statistical activities of line ministries. In MOAC, Office of Agricultural Economics plays a major role in statistical activities. It conducts production survey for major crops, fruits and vegetables, livestock and poultry. It also undertakes Socio-Economic Survey of Farm Households, Cost of Production Survey, and Farm-Gate Price Survey. It forecasts crop and animal production every year and every quarter of the year. These surveys are conducted by interviewing sample farmers. OAE develops Geographical Information System to be used for land use mapping, crop suitability mapping, etc. Besides OAE, MOAC’s line agencies, such as Department of Agricultural Extension (crops), Department of Livestock Development (livestock and poultry) and Department of Fisheries (fisheries) collect detailed data concerning subsectors under their respective jurisdiction. Most data are collected through administrative reporting from field offices of each department. Some data are collected through complete survey (biennial Survey of Livestock Farmers by DLD) and sample surveys (Marine Fishery Survey by DOF). This year, DOAE experiments on sample-based surveys for its crop surveys. Inter-ministerial coordination takes place regarding planning and implementation of censuses. The committees organized by NSO discuss data items to be taken, concept and definitions, etc. For the first time in its census organization, NSO is asking MOAC to mobilise Agricultural Extension Officers as census supervisors. Presently, NSO plans to develop a master plan of statistical development in Thailand. For this purpose, 15 committees were organized last year, each corresponding to specific area of data collection. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review

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National Seminar 19/12/2001 (51 Thai officials from: (i) National Economic and Social Development Board; (ii) National Statistics Office; (iii) Department of Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce; (iv) Department of Fisheries, MOAC, (v) Department of Livestock Development, MOAC; (vi) Department of Agricultural Extension, MOAC; (vii) Cooperative Promotion Department, MOAC; (viii) Office of Agricultural Economics, MOAC Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Chalit Amnuay, OAE/Focal Point) (Resource Person: Dr Lal Samarakoon, Asian Institute Technology, Dr Surachai Ratanasermpong, National Research Council of Thailand, Dr Supan Karnchanasutham, OAE, Ms Jirawan Boonperm, NSO, Ms Rajana Netsaengthip, NSO) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Pipat Petchgrajang, NSO, Ms Pattarawadee Charoenrat, NSO, Ms Krittiya Iamsudha, OAE)

12 In Thailand, the in-depth review was not deemed necessary due to frequent interaction between the project and statistical organizations in the country, as well as correspondence and papers presented at meetings held at FAO/RAP.


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Sub-Regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System for the Market Economy was jointly organized with the FAO regular programme. The workshop was held from 15-20 January 2001 in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP) in Bangkok, (Resource Person: Dr Apichart Pongsrihadulchai, OAE, Ms Jirawan Boonperm, OAE, Mr Arkhom Tempittayapaisith, NESDB, Dr Kajonwan Itharatana, OAE) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Dr Supan Karnjanasuthum, OAE) ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia was held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 19 to 20 July 2001 (Participant: Deputy Permanent Secretary of MOAC, Secretary-General of OAE, Assistant Permanent Secretary of MOAC, and 16 officials from MOAC and 12 officials from other governmental institutions) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Kasem Prasakur, OAE, Ms Marina Waiasilp, Department of Fisheries, MOA) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Chalit Amnuay, OAE/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Montol Jeamchareon, OAE) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Thailand Presently, no international cooperation project concerning agricultural statistics is undertaken in Thailand. FAO HQ plans to include Thailand in country project for Asia FIVIMS. Detailed schedule is not known. Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system Thailand takes lead in development of ASEAN Food Security Information System (AFSIS), which will start in 2003 with Trust Fund to ASEAN Secretariat contributed by Japan. OAE plans to host the project by setting up ASEAN Food Security Information Center (AFSIC). Thailand also requested Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to assist the implementation of Agricultural Statistics and Information Improvement Project, which is to start in 2003. These initiatives are supposed to maintain close coordination with project GCP/RAS/184/JPN (Regional Data Exchange System).


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Bhutan Focal Point: Mr. Nim Dorji, Head of Statistics Unit, Ministry of Agriculture Organization/status of statistical system in country Bhutan has adopted a decentralized statistical structure. The statistical programmes are administrated and operated under the authority of various government ministries. The statistical units in these ministries collect and compile data through surveys, administrative records, and periodic reports obtained from enterprises, institutions, households and others. The responsibility for official agricultural statistics is now with the Ministry of Agriculture, but the responsibility for general statistics has wavered from the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) to sundry ministries. In 1992, the Ministry of Planning decided to have a centralized statistical system, in accordance with the Royal Government’s policy to reduce duplication of efforts among ministries. Responsibility for agricultural statistics was shifted from the agriculture ministry to the CSO and in the process, some trained statisticians and staff members were transferred. But the CSO was a small organization with no local offices. Thus, in January 1998, the mandate went back to the Ministry of Agriculture. With a view to build a strong agricultural statistics system, the ministry reinforced the statistical unit, the Land Use and Statistics Section, within its Policy and Planning division. Having also delegated the responsibility to maintain sectoral statistics to the sectors themselves, the CSO is now responsible only for national aggregates of statistics and for analysis for economic purposes. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 18-22/7/1999 National Seminar 25-26/1/2000 (26 Bhutanese officials from: (i) Planning Commission; (ii) Policy and Planning Division, MOA; (iii) Crop and Livestock Service Division, MOA; (iv) Research, Extension and Irrigation Division; (v) Forestry Service Division, MOA; (vi) Forest Resources Development Division, MOA; (vii) Central Statistical Organization; (viii) Department of Revenue and Customs, Ministry of Finance; (ix) Food Cooperation Bhutan) Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr. Nim Dorji, Statistics Unit, MOA/Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr. T. N. Acharya, Department of Agriculture and Livestock Support, MOA) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr. Nim Dorji, Statistics Unit, MOA/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr. Nim Dorji, Statistics Unit, MOA/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Bhutan Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Fiji Focal Point: Mr Jone Ratuvuki, Senior Agricultural Assistant, Economic Planning and Statistics Division, MAFF Organization/status of statistical system in country The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is in charge of all statistical surveys for agriculture which include agricultural census. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review … National Seminar … Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Jone Ratuvuki, MAFF/Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Jone Ratuvuki, MAFF/Focal Point, Mr Rajendra Raj, MAFF) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Subodh Prasad Sharma, MAFF) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Jone Ratuvuki, MAFF/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Jone Ratuvuki, MAFF/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Fiji Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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India Focal Point: Mr Shri D.K. Trehan, Economic and Statistical Adviser, Department of Agricultural and Cooperation, MOA Organization/status of statistical system in country Ministry of Agriculture(MOA) is in charge of agricultural statistics. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review … National Seminar … Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Dr G.S.RAM, MOA/prior Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr M Neelakantan, National Sample Survey Organization, Mr R P Singh, Space Applications Centre) (Resource Person: Dr Arun Kumar Srivastava, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr Narayanan Eagambaram, MOA) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Surinder Kumar Gupta, MOA) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Dr G.S.RAM, MOA/prior Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Shri D.K. Trehan, MOA/later Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in India Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Indonesia Focal Point: Mr Choiril Maksum, Director, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics, BPS Organization/status of statistical system in country By low, Statistics Indonesia (BPS) is in charge of all basic statistics, including agricultural statistics. Other institution, such as Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), may collect "special" statistics for their own purposes, under the coordination of BPS. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review … National Seminar … Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr SUGIARTO, BPS/prior Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Ms Suparwati, BPS, Mr Daryanto, BPS) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr Muhammad Tassim Billah, MOA) ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia was held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 19 to 20 July 2001 (Participant: Ms Ratna Kusuma Dewi, MOA, Mr Choiril Maksum, BPS/later Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Djoko Santoso, BPS East Jawa Province) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr SUGIARTO, BPS/prior Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Choiril Maksum, BPS/later Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Indonesia Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Iran Focal Point: Mr Arani Ali Yousefian, Deputy Director General, Information Systems Office, Agricultural Statistics and Information Department, MOA Organization/status of statistical system in country In Iran, food and agricultural statistics activities are conducted under decentralized system that means different governmental organizations individually undertake statistical surveys in the areas for which they are responsible. Until 2000, the following three major organizations were involved in food and agricultural statistics in Iran: • Statistical Centre of Iran(SCI). • Ministry of Agriculture(MOA). • Ministry of Jahad (Fisheries Forestry and Livestock)(MOJ). At the present time MOA and MOJ have joined together and formed the new ministry called Ministry of Jahad-e-Agriculture(MOJA). Furthermore, there is a High Council of Statistics(HCS). HCS is aimed to formulate the general policies for the state's statistical programs and to coordinate activities among ministries and state-run institutions. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 17-23/2/2001 National Seminar … Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Alireza Majd, MOA/prior Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Alireza Hatami Sadabad, MOA) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Alireza Majd, MOA/prior Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Arani Ali Yousefian, MOA/later Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Iran Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


39

Lao PDR Focal Point: Mr Savanh Hanephom, Deputy Director, Statistics and Planning Division, MAF Organization/status of statistical system in country The Lao PDR takes decentralized statistical system. The National Statistical Centre (NSC) under the State Committee for Planning and Cooperation plays a roll of coordination of national statistical activities among governmental organizations, and responsible for basic socio-economic statistics, population and other non-agriculture census and function of economic calculations such as the National Accounts, GDP, etc. The Lao Expenditure and Consumption Survey was implemented in 92/93 and 97/98, which included data items on socio-economic subjects. In the field of agricultural statistics, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) takes charge of an annual survey and the publication of agricultural statistics, while Census for Agriculture was implemented under the control of a steering committee which was organised by NSC and MAF. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 7-12/2/2000 National Seminar 3-4/8/2000 (45 Lao officials from: (i) Permanent Secretary Office, MAF; (ii) Planning Department, MAF, (iii) Department of Agriculture, MAF; (iv) Livestock Department, MAF; (v) Forestry Department, MAF; (vi) Irrigation Department, MAF; (vii) National Agricultural Research Centre; (viii) Science Council, MAF; (ix) National Statistics Centre; (x) Ministry of Commerce; (xi) State Planning Committee; (xii) Vientiane Municipality; (xiii) Vientiane Province; (xiv) Khammouane Province; (xv) Savanakhet Province; (xvi) Borikhamxay Province; (xvii) Champassak Province; (xviii) Luang Prabang Province; (xix) Xayaboury Province; (xx) Ministry of Industry; (xxi) Ministry of Social Welfare; (xxii) Personnel Department, MAF) Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Savanh Hanephom, MAF/Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Thipsavanh Intharack, National Statistics Centre, Mr Souksavanh Inthrack, MAF) Sub-Regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System for the Market Economy was jointly organized with the FAO regular programme. The workshop was held from 15-20 January 2001 in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP) in Bangkok, (Participants: Mr Savanh Hanephom, MAF/Focal Point, Mr Somchay Ounphrachanh, MAF, Mr Sengmany Keolangsy, National Statistics Centre) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr Savanh Hanephom, MAF/Focal Point) ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia was held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 19 to 20 July 2001 (Participant: Dr Ketkeo Phouangphet, MAF, Mr Savanh Hanephom, MAF/Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Somphanh Chanphengxay) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Savanh Hanephom, MAF/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Savanh Hanephom, MAF/Focal Point)


40

Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Lao PDR Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Myanmar Focal Point: Mr Win Kyi, Director General, Settlement and Land Records Department(SLRD), Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation(MAI) Organization/status of statistical system in country The statistical System of the Central Statistical Organization can be considered as decentralized. In Myanmar, Planning and Statistics Departments exist in almost all ministries and statistics are being compiled independently by each ministry to serve their own purposes. CSO collects data in accordance with the 1952 Central Statistical Authority Act, No.34 and plays a key role in the national system of statistical information as prescribed in Section (1): 1. To develop a comprehensive, efficient and reliable statistical system for social and economic policy, effective planning and administration; 2. Review and advise on all statistical operations of the Union Government whether performed for statistical, administrative or other purposes; 3. Coordinate and integrate statistics and statistical operations; 4. Establish, prescribe and maintain the highest Statistical Standards; 5. Organize and conduct social and economic censuses or surveys with reference to Burma's (Myanma's) economic needs and requirements either on a prepared planned basis or on short notice as may be required. CSO is the only authoritative Organization in Myanmar that has the mandate to collect, process, organize and supply data for the use of planners, policy-makers and other users in the country as well as international bodies. It is one of the CSO's prime functions to provide timely and reliable data to those who are in need of statistical information. CSO sometimes collects data by means of physical observation, personal interview, small enquiry, method of registration, transcription from official records and conducting surveys. All organized data in CSO are processed stage by stage before presenting final results. Data processing is done either manually or using computers. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 7-10/3/2000 National Seminar 29-30/1/2001 (50 Myanmar officials from: (i) SLRD; (ii) Planning Dept; (iii) Forest Dept; (iv) Livestock Breeding & Veterinary Dept; (v) Dept of Agricultural Planning; (vi) Fishery Dept; (vii) Water Resource Utilization Dept; (viii) Irrigation Dept; (ix) Agriculture Mechanization Dept; (x) CSO; (xi) Myanmar Agriculture Service; (xii) Myanmar Agricultural & Rural Development Bank; (xiii) Institute of Economics; (xiv) Myanmar Farms Enterprise; (xv) Myanmar Jute Enterprise; (xvi) Myanmar Cotton & Sericulture Enterprise; (xvii) Myanmar Sugarcane Enterprise; (xviii) Myanmar Perennial Crops Enterprise; (xix) Myanmar Academy of Arts & Science Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Win Kyi, SLRD/Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr U Gwan Shein, SLRD, Mr Tin Shwe, CSO) Sub-Regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System for the Market Economy was jointly organized with the FAO regular programme. The workshop was held from 15-20 January 2001 in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP) in Bangkok, (Participants: Mr Win Kyi, SLRD/Focal Point, Mr Saw Hlaing, SLRD, Mr Maung Sein Aye, SLRD, Mr Tint Tun Myo, Department of Agricultural Planning,MAI) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr U Myint Ohn, SLRD)


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ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia was held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 19 to 20 July 2001 (Participant: Mr Tin Maung Shwe, Department of Agricultural Planning, MAI, Mr Kyaw Tint, SLRD) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Ms Aye Aye Myaing, Directorate of Livestock and Fishery, Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Win Kyi, SLRD/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Win Kyi, SLRD/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Myanmar Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Nepal Focal Point: Mr Tunga Shiromani Bastola, Deputy Director, Central Bureau of Statistics(CBS) Organization/status of statistical system in country The Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) under the National Planning Commission of the Royal Government of Nepal is the main statistical agency in the country and its responsibilities cover all sectors. Nonetheless, the statistical system in Nepal is, to some extent, a decentralized one. Broadly speaking, there are three public agencies involved in statistical work – the Central Bureau of Statistics, the statistics division of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Nepal Rastra Bank – as well as semi-public agencies. In the field of agriculture, to avoid duplication of statistical activities among agencies, the government in 1993 gave CBS sole responsibility for the collection and publication of current agricultural statistics. Before 1993 the responsibility was with the agriculture ministry. In 1993, thirty-three district statistical offices under the ministry were transferred to CBS. Although the mandate for agricultural statistics was transferred to CBS, the statistics division of the Ministry of Agriculture still gathers many kinds of agricultural data for the ministry’s own use, such as basic data for extension and promotion of agriculture, and measurement method policies. CBS and the agriculture ministry are thus the two main agencies involved in the collection and dissemination of agricultural statistics. With the enactment of the Nepal Statistical Act 2015 (1959 AD), CBS was established and given the responsibility of collecting, analysing and publishing statistics at the national level. The bureau collects, processes and disseminates data from primary and secondary sources. Estimation of national accounts, population censuses, agricultural censuses and surveys, censuses of manufacturing establishments and household surveys are among the main activities of the bureau. CBS is headed by a director-general. The activities of the bureau are divided between two divisions – Social Statistics and Economic Statistics. Each division is led by a deputy director-general. The subject-matter sections – the Agricultural Census, National Accounts, Census and Survey, Annual Crop Survey, Price and Index Survey, and Livestock, Fishery and Horticultural Survey sections – come under the Economic Statistics Division; and the sections on population censuses, household surveys, social statistics data processing, publication and library, as well as training, are under the Social Statistics Division. The personnel of CBS have much increased in number since 1993. There are now 166 staff members in the central office in Kathmandu, and the 33 district-level offices, which are called Branch Statistical Offices (BSOs) and cover all 75 districts of the country, have altogether 494 staff members. Twenty-four BSOs cover two districts each and nine cover three districts each. Since the transfer of the mandate on agricultural statistics to CBS, the Ministry of Agriculture has continued to collect agricultural data for its own use, i.e. extension and promotion of agriculture, prevention and control of blights, pests, etc. The main statistical data that the Ministry of Agriculture collects are for crop and livestock. At the central level, the Agricultural Statistics Division, under the Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, functions as a main body of data collection on agriculture. At the local level, organization of data collection can be divided into two – crops, and livestock. The data on crops are collected under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture. The next administrative level is that of the District Agricultural Development Offices, which number 75. Below them are the Agricultural Service Centres, which number about one thousand and cover some four thousand villages countrywide. The data on crops are collected by the service centres and sent through the district development offices to the Agricultural Statistics Division of the ministry. Ditto for livestock data, which are collected by one thousand-odd Livestock Service Centres at village level, passed on to the 75 District Livestock Development Offices (which are under the Department of Livestock Service at the ministry) and on again to the Agricultural Statistics Division. The Marketing Development Division of the Department of Agriculture collects agricultural marketing information. The division also compiles the trade data on agricultural commodities, the consumer price indices, the food balance sheet and others. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 22-27/7/1999 National Seminar 15-16/12/1999 (28 Nepalese officials from: (i) CBS; (ii) Agricultural Statistics Division, MOA; (iii) Agricultural Planning Division, MOA; (iv) Department of Agriculture, MOA; (v) Nepal Agriculture Research Council; (vi) Agricultural Project Services Centre; (vii) Rashtriya Samachar Samiti Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops


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Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Tunga Shiromani Bastola, CBS/Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Dr Syed M N Subhani, CBS, Mr Karna Bahadur Newa, MOA) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr Tunga Shiromani Bastola, CBS/Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Ramesh Chandra Das, CBS) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Tunga Shiromani Bastola, CBS/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Tunga Shiromani Bastola, CBS/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Nepal Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


45

Pakistan Focal Point: Mr Chaudhry Ali Ahmed, Economic Consultant, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Livestock Organization/status of statistical system in country Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Livestock is in charge of agricultural statistics. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review … National Seminar … Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Noor Muhammad, Federal Bureau of Statistics, Mr Khurshid Ahmad, Agricultural Census Organization) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Sayed Qamar Raza, Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Chaudhry Ali Ahmed, Ministry of Food and Agriculture and Livestock/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Pakistan Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Philippines Focal Point: Mr Romeo Recide, Director, Bureau of Agricultural Statistics(BAS), Department of Agriculture(DOA) Organization/status of statistical system in country Bureau of Agricultural Statistics(BAS), Department of Agriculture(DOA) is in charge of all annual surveys for agriculture. National Statistics Office is in charge of agricultural censuses. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review … National Seminar … Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Romeo Recide, BAS/Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Reynaldo Q Vallesteros Jr, BAS, Mr Mercedita E Tia, National Statistics Office, Mr Gregorio P Antolin Jr, Bureau of Soils & Water Management, DOA) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr Minda Mangabat, BAS, Mr Robert Villa, Information Technology Center for Agriculture and Fishery, DOA) ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia was held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 19 to 20 July 2001 (Participant: Ms Myrna P Reburiano, National Food Authority, Mr Romeo Recide, BAS/Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Resource Person: Mr Romeo Recide, BAS/Focal Point) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Romeo Recide, BAS/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Romeo Recide, BAS/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Philippines Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Sri Lanka Focal Point: Mr A M U Dissanayake, Deputy Director, Agricultural and Environmental Statistics Division, Department of Census and Statistics(DCS) Organization/status of statistical system in country The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) is responsible for the conduct of census of agriculture and also numerous sample surveys to estimate the productions and extents cost of production of tea, rubber and coconut. Some of them are seasonal ad-hoc, annual etc. while Department of Agriculture also conducts various types of surveys for their extention programs e.g. paddy. While Department of Fisheries conducts fisheries surveys and fishery census. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review … National Seminar … Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr A M U Dissanayake, DCS/Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Ms Dharmawathie Dissanayake, DCS, Mr Abdul Rahim Mohamed Mahrouf, Department of Agriculture) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr A M U Dissanayake, DCS/Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr A D B Jayasooriya, DCS) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr A M U Dissanayake, DCS/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr A M U Dissanayake, DCS/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Sri Lanka Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Viet Nam Focal Point: Mr Nguyen Sinh Cuc, Director, Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries(DAFF), General Statistics Office(GSO) Organization/status of statistical system in country The statistical system in Viet Nam is centralized. The General Statistics Office (GSO) is responsible for all of the national statistical services. Although statistical activities of line ministries, which are the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) and the Ministry of Fisheries (MOF), are regarded as data/information collection for their own purposes, they also contribute strongly to national food security. The system of state statistics is organized along administrative lines, from central to provincial and district levels. At central level, food and agriculture statistics are handled by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Statistics of the General Statistics Office. The department was set up in 1956 when the office was established under the supervision of the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Since then, its name and scope of activity have changed but its functions have remained the same, namely the collection, processing and issue of quantitative information to meet the management needs of central and local governments. The information collected is used to formulate and monitor the yearly and five-yearly development plans of the agricultural sector. GSO consists of a head office and local offices. At the central level there are 15 departments with 350 employees; at the provincial level 61 Provincial Statistical Offices (PSOs) employ 20-30 persons each; and at the district level there are 611 District Statistical Offices (DSBs) with 3-5 employees each. The Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Fishery Statistics (DAFF) is in charge of food and agriculture statistics at GSO. The central office of DAFF has four technical sections, namely the Agricultural Section including the Cultivation Group and the Livestock Group, the Forestry Section, the Fishery Section and the Methodology Section. Currently, DAFF employs 22 persons. The department has one director and two or three deputy-directors. DAFF cooperates closely with the statistical departments of the agriculture and fishery ministries. It is responsible for collecting, processing and releasing the orthodox statistical data. Other operative statistical data are collected and released by the two ministries. At provincial level, the main functions of the section handling agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics in the provincial statistics offices are to conduct surveys and report to DAFF. The section has 5-7 employees. It collects and processes the data in close cooperation with the related sections of the provincial offices of the agriculture and fishery ministries. At district level, each district office has a group of agriculture, forestry and fishery statistics including 1-2 persons out of the 5-7 employees of a district statistics office. It cooperates with the economic section of the district office, which is under the guidance of the agriculture ministry. At commune level, which is the lowest administrative organization in Viet Nam, as per government regulation, one member of the economic board of the commune is responsible for statistical and secretarial work. The people’s committee of the commune helps that person carry out surveys and data collection, as do the members of the economic or agricultural board of the commune. Cooperation at this level is even tighter than at higher levels. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) was established in November 1995 by merging the previous ministries of Agriculture and Food Industry, Forestry, and Irrigation. The ministry is responsible for managing and controlling production activities related to agriculture, forestry and irrigation as well as some aspects of rural development. The statistical activities at MARD are carried out by the Statistics Division under the Department of Planning and Projection. The division has eight employees. MARD collects and processes the information not only for production on agriculture, livestock and forestry but also for the economic activities and for rural development – industry, construction, trade, education, health services, etc. For the implementation of the fishery survey organized by GSO, the Ministry of Fisheries (MOF) organizes data collection in 16 coastal provinces which have their own fishery office. MOF also collects the data on export of fish and fishery products. These data are reported from private and state establishments everyday, and gathered in a database system which was established at the Fisheries Information Centre in the Statistics Division of MOF. Beside these activities, the Statistics Division of the Department of Planning and Investment of MOF compiles the statistical data from the research institutes of MOF that were assigned to carry out some ad-hoc statistical surveys. In-depth review/seminars held in country: In-depth review 13-18/2/2000 National Seminar 20-21/6/2000


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(40 Vietnamese officials from: (i) DAFF; (ii) Administration Dept; (iii) Personnel and training Dept; (iv) National Account Dept; (v) Integral Statistics & Information Dept; (vi) Dept of Methodology; (vii) Division of International Cooperation; (viii) Figures & Events Magazine –GSO; (ix) Thai Binh Provincial Statistical Office; (x) Yen Bai Provincial Statistical Office; (xi) ThuaT.Hue Provincial Statistical Office; (xii) Binh Dinh Provincial Statistical Office; (xiii) An Giang Provincial Statistical Office; (xiv) Vinh Long Provincial Statistical Office; (xv) MARD; (xvi) MOF Trainees trained in regional and sub-regional workshops Seminar of Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics, Bangkok, 9-11 June, 1999. The seminar was held back-to-back with the First Meeting of Focal Points. (Participant: Mr Nguyen Sinh Cuc, DAFF/Focal Point) Workshop on Agricultural Survey Based on Multiple Frame Sampling (FAO RP, Statistical Institute in Asia and Pacific - SIAP), Bangkok 22 to 28 November 2000 (Participant: Mr Nguyen Sinh Cuc, DAFF/Focal Point, Mr Nguyen Chi Tanh, Foreign Ministry) Sub-Regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System for the Market Economy was jointly organized with the FAO regular programme. The workshop was held from 15-20 January 2001 in the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (FAORAP) in Bangkok, (Participants: Ms Chu Thi Hao, MARD, Mr Phung Chi Hien, DAFF, Ms Le Thi Yen, MARD, Mr Nguyen Van Doan, Ministry of Planning and Investment) Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agriculture Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region was held on 20-22 March 2001 at the FAO Regional Office in Bangkok (Participant: Mr Nguyen Sinh Cuc, DAFF/Focal Point) ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia was held in Nakhon Pathom, Thailand from 19 to 20 July 2001 (Participant: Dr Le The Thin, Department of Planning and Projection, Mr Nguyen Sinh Cuc, DAFF/Focal Point) Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries, organized 6-10 August 2001 in cooperation with the Fishery Information, Data and Statistics Unit (FIDI), FAO/HQ (Participant: Mr Nguyen Hoa Binh, DAFF) First Meeting of Focal Points, 7 to 8 June 1999, and FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (RAP) (Participant: Mr Nguyen Sinh Cuc, DAFF/Focal Point) Second Meeting of Focal Points, FAO/RAP, 22-23 October 2001 (Participant: Mr Nguyen Sinh Cuc, DAFF/Focal Point) Other statistics-related projects/initiatives in Viet Nam Actions initiated towards improvements in statistical systems/regional data exchange system


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Questionnaire

13

Questionnaire on Project GCP/RAS/171/JPN (distributed through FAO Representatives)

At the end of four years of operation of GCP/RAS/171/JPN, an independent evaluation is taking place to provide an objective assessment of the project and make recommendations for the project design and implementation orientation of the follow-up project. In this context, the present questionaire is intended to obtain member countries’ views on what type of support on statistical activities has been most useful from the project, and what expectations exist among countries for the future collaboration with the follow-up project. The questionnaire is especially important in the case of countries not visited by the evaluation mission. However, even in countries that will be visited by the mission a response to the questionnaire will be highly appreciated. The questionnaire responses will be reflected in the final evaluation report, which will be finalized in May 2002. The questionnaire is fairly short and should not take more than half an hour to fill in. However, as its questions relate to events organized by the project that may have been attended by different persons, it would be desirable to involve (if possible) those people in filling in the different parts of this questionnaire that have actually attended the activity in question. In any case, kindly indicate which unit(s) of Government have been involved in filling in this questionnaire. The questionnaire provides a section to identify the responding unit for this purpose. Should there be any difficulties or queries in responding to the questions, please consult the FAO Evaluation Service directly ([email protected] or [email protected]). We would appreciate it very much if your response could reach us by 15 May 2002, preferably directly ([email protected]) or via the FAO Representative to your country. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Bernd Bultemeier Team Leader, Evaluation Mission GCP/RAS/171/JPN Evaluation Service (PBEE) FAO, Rome Email: [email protected] Tel: (39) 06-57053008

13 Reproduced for information purposes


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Questionnaire on Project GCP/RAS/171/JPN

Information on responding unit/person: Please indicate which branch of government (for example: Ministry of Agriculture, planning division; or Ministry of Foreign Affairs, international collaboration section; or Ministry of Forests and the Environment, policy unit) Date: Definitions The development objective of the project was to have a sound statistical system capable of (i) providing data and information for planning and policy making in the food and agriculture sector with the aim of raising living standard and nutritional status of people, especially the rural poor, and (ii) exchanging these data with other countries to support of national, regional and global food security programmes and policies. For this development objective, the project had two immediate objectives: • Immediate Objective One: National Statistical Development Strategies and Plans drawn up for the

improvement of food and agricultural statistics and information, for implementation in participating countries

• Immediate Objective Two: Plan for the establishment of a data base and equipment facilities, in a number of countries, to provide a capability to transfer data in electronic format both to and from countries in the Region, and FAO, using common concepts, standards and classifications

1. PLEASE SKIP IF YOUR COUNTRY WAS NOT COVERED BY A COUNTRY STUDY. The country studies consisted of 2 major components: in-depth review and national seminar. Kindly indicate your views on the components

1.a In-depth review (please tick) very useful useful not useful

Please explain the reasons for your judgement:


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1. b National seminar

(please tick) very useful useful not useful


2. PLEASE SKIP IF YOUR COUNTRY DID NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE WORKSHOPS AND CONSULTATION LISTED BELOW. Sub-regional level workshops and consultation were important activities organized by the project. Kindly give your views on events in which your country participated. very useful useful not useful 2.a FAO/SIAP Workshop on Agricultural Surveys Based on Multiple Frame Sampling Methods

Please explain the reasons for your judgement

very useful useful not useful 2.b Sub-Regional Workshop on Moving Towards an Agricultural Statistics System for the Market Economy


2.c Technical Consultation on the Establishment of Data Exchange System for Food and Agricultural Statistics in Asia and the Pacific Region

very useful useful not useful


very useful useful not useful 2.d ASEAN Workshop on Food Security Cooperation and a Rice Reserve Management System in East Asia


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3. Regional seminar and workshop were other important activities organized by the project. Kindly give your views on events in which your country participated. very useful useful not useful 3.a Seminar on Remote Sensing for Agricultural Statistics

very useful useful not useful 3.b Regional Workshop on Improvement of Fishery Statistics in Asia and Pacific countries

4. Please indicate to what extent the project has assisted your country towards designing and implementing a national statistical development strategy or plan

Very significant input (indispensable)

Significant input (without project input, would have taken longer or been less complete)

Insignificant (project input did not make much of a difference)

(please tick)



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5. Please describe what progress your country has made towards drawing up a national statistical development strategy or plan


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6. Please describe your country’s statistical activities in the following areas: 6.a Periodic implementation of agricultural census Please give details (with particular reference to project inputs, if any):

6.b Collection of data on main commodities and subjects directly from primary sources using sample survey method Please give details (with particular reference to project inputs, if any):

6.c Unified reporting formats, concepts, definitions and timing Please give details (with particular reference to project inputs, if any):

6.d Expansion of the range of agricultural statistics (especially reflecting the needs of a market oriented economy) Please give details (with particular reference to project inputs, if any):

6.e Other statistical activities (please explain):


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7. Formulation of a Project Proposal for the Data Exchange System On the basis of country studies, regional/sub-regional meetings and other consultations, the project has prepared a draft proposal for a data exchange system on food and agriculture statistics in Asia and Pacific countries composed of a data base and Internet system. The system will be developed in the follow-up phase project. Kindly provide your views on the following: 7.a Please give your opinion on the importance of this project output (the draft proposal for a data exchange system)

very significant output Significant output In significant

(please tick)

Please explain the reasons for your judgement: 7.b Responsiveness of the proposed data exchange system to your country’s needs

very responsive (corresponds to a high degree to the country’s statistical needs)

responsive (takes up a number of country-specific issues)

not responsive (does not include country-specific requirements)

(please tick) Please explain the reasons for your judgement:

7.c Feasibility (whether likely to be implemented in your country)

very likely likely not likely


7.d If you replied very likely or likely to question 7.c, have any steps already been taken towards the implementation of the follow-up phase project? Please explain:


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8. Your opinion on the support given by the project to your country 8.a Advice on specific aspects of agricultural statistics (visits by project staff or consultants as well as telephone/email communication)


(please tick)


8.b Operational support (equipment, supplies)




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9. Space for additional comments (for example, what you see as major limitations of the project, what are the project’s strongest points, what issues the follow-up project should address in the future)

Documents

FAO Government of Japan - Food and Agriculture