Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics (GSARS) Takes Center Stage at ICAS IX

Washington D.C. – The International Conference on Agricultural Statistics (ICAS IX) became the platform for unveiling the remarkable progress and global impact of the GSARS project. At the heart of the conference, a special session titled 'GSARS II: Continuous Efforts for Improvements in Agricultural Statistics in Developing Countries' brought attention to the transformative effects of the initiative on national agricultural statistics systems. 

 Lassina Paré, a Statistician at the FAO, chaired a session which highlighted how GSARS II has been instrumental in elevating the quality of agricultural statistics in beneficiary countries. During the session, three beneficiary countries, namely Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Madagascar showcased the new skills and methodologies learned through GSARS II, which have directly improved the quality and reliability of agricultural data.   

Experts from around the world attended ICAS IX, where over 400 participants from over 60 nations discussed the latest methodological innovations and operational accomplishments. The session presented by GSARS II featured a rich exchange of ideas and experiences that underlined the need for high-quality, reliable agricultural statistics for informed decision-making and better policy formulation.   

The conference served as a testament to GSARS's success in fostering capacity building, enhancing statistical literacy, and empowering countries with the tools needed for self-sufficient data analysis and application. The program also ensured that such data is effectively used to inform agricultural development and policies.   

GSARS II's continued commitment to agricultural statistics was evident through the positive feedback and constructive discussions at the conference. It underscored the initiative's pivotal role in supporting sustainable agricultural development and food security in developing countries.