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Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics

GSARS Successfully Concludes Workshop on Agricultural Indicators and Typology in Kenya

21/06/2024

The Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics has successfully concluded an intensive eight-day workshop on selected Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) Indicators and Typology in Nairobi, Kenya. Held from May 13 to 22, 2024, the workshop aimed to enhance the capacity of Kenyan agricultural statistics producers and users in computing key agricultural indicators and farm typology classification variables. 

The workshop was conducted in collaboration with the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MALD). It involved 12 participants from these institutions, focusing on practical training using data from the 2023 pilot Farm Economic Survey, which covered about 150 smallholder farms in Nakuru County. 

Developing countries require support not only for collecting high-quality statistical data but also for producing the indicators needed for national development policies and regional and international frameworks. The Global Strategy (GSARS II) packages for TYPOLOGY and INDICATORS aim to train national agricultural statistics producers and users in the concepts, definitions, and methods for calculating auxiliary and classification variables and key indicators. 

The primary objectives of this mission were to train KNBS and MALD staff on the computation of 10 CAADP indicators from agricultural survey data, farm typology classification variables, and the definition of typology dimensions necessary for farm classification. Additionally, the activity aimed to prepare these results for presentation at a restitution workshop. 

The workshop adopted a hands-on training approach where participants developed calculation routines using statistical software. The sessions were led by statisticians Mariana Toteva and Stella Wambugu. Key activities included: 

Training on the concepts and definitions of farm typology and the computation of classification variables. 

Practical sessions on computing 10 CAADP indicators using pilot survey data. 

Presentation and discussion of the results and methodology with participants. 

 

Main Outcomes 

  • Participants learned key concepts and definitions in agricultural statistics and the use of collected data for indicator calculation and presentation per farm type. 
  • The training was highly appreciated for its practical approach, allowing participants to apply learned concepts using real data. 
  • The need for an integrated agricultural survey on a regular basis was identified, and participants expressed interest in further training. 

 

Challenges and Future Directions 

Challenges included a lack of continuity in the capacity-building process and limited logistical support. However, the participants' feedback highlighted the training's effectiveness and the need for additional sessions. 

GSARS extends its gratitude to the donors, including the European Union and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, as well as the FAO Kenya office for their invaluable support in making this workshop possible.