Data Processing and Analysis Workshop & Restitution in Madagascar for the Pilot Agricultural Production Survey (AGPROD)

From November 7 to 11, 2022, Madagascar hosted a technical workshop as part of the technical assistance provided under GSARS II. This critical gathering laid the groundwork for the development of essential tools, including a questionnaire and a CAPI (Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing) application, crucial for the successful execution of the agricultural production survey in Madagascar. A standard questionnaire was agreed upon, featuring a unique approach to farm visits and yield sampling, marking a significant step forward in the country's agricultural data collection efforts. 

Pilot Survey and Mission Activities 

The finalized data collection tools were delivered by the end of March 2023, leading to the pilot AGPROD survey's execution between June and September 2023. The mission comprised two primary segments: finalizing the AGPROD assistance and deliberations on the 50x2030 Initiative survey program. It included a five-day workshop on data processing and analysis, a one-day restitution workshop, and three days of discussions focusing on the 50x2030 survey program. 

Activity 1: AGPROD Data Processing and Analysis Workshop 

The AGPROD survey incorporated a household questionnaire aligned with the 50x2030 Initiative’s CORE module, enhanced by sections on land rights and the Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). The data collection covered household agricultural practices, with a special focus crop-cutting survey in a sub-sample of plots. Despite challenges in the crop-cutting survey due to early harvests and inaccessible plots, the pilot provided valuable insights into improving survey methodologies and data quality. 

Activity 2: Restitution Workshop 

The restitution workshop, held in February 2024, showcased the pilot survey's findings and facilitated a dialogue among key stakeholders, including government officials and FAO representatives. The discussions underscored the necessity for questionnaire adjustments and the incorporation of additional variables to enrich the data's comprehensiveness and utility. 

Discussion on the 50x2030 Initiative Survey Program 

The experience garnered from the AGPROD pilot was instrumental in refining the survey methodology for the forthcoming 50x2030 Initiative. Discussions with technical teams and stakeholders emphasized the need for an updated enumeration questionnaire and a revised budget to accommodate additional requirements, ensuring a more robust data collection framework for future surveys. 

Conclusions and Next Steps 

The AGPROD workshops highlighted the strong commitment of local counterparts and the success of capacity-building efforts in data processing. The participation of key officials underscored the national importance of establishing a permanent agricultural survey system in Madagascar. The engagements with the World Bank and INSTAT reaffirmed their crucial support for the initiative's implementation in Madagascar. 

As Madagascar prepares for the enumeration operation and the crop-cutting survey in 2024, the groundwork laid by the GSARS II initiative and the 50x2030 discussions promises to significantly enhance the country's agricultural and rural statistics. This strategic effort is set to make a lasting impact on policy-making and agricultural development, marking a significant step toward sustainable agricultural practices and food security through evidence-based policies and investments in Madagascar.