Improving Agricultural Statistics in the COMCEC Region
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2. Most Recent Dates of Availability of Agricultural Indicators
3. Most Recent Dates of Major Censuses and Surveys
Availability: The final dimension refers to the availability of the agricultural statistics to the
users and consists of indicators at the end of Part 3 (3.3) and Part 4 of SSAQ. The components
of this dimension are:
1. Existence of a Web Site for Agricultural Statistics
2. Online Access to Agricultural Statistics
3. Database for Agricultural Statistics
4. Dissemination Formats of Statistical Outputs
5. Free or Paid Access to Agricultural Statistics
2.2 Methodology of Data Collection
The main source of data in the study is the responses to SSAQ sent to Member Countries. Data
compiled from other sources is intended to complement and verify this data. The case studies
attempt to provide depth to the more general information obtained through the questionnaire,
for selected countries.
Standard Self-Assessment Questionnaire: SSAQ presented in Annex 6 consists of 5 parts
with approximately 200 cells to be filled:
 Part1: The Organization of the Food and Agricultural Statistical System
 Part 2: The Outputs of the Agricultural Statistics System
 Part 3: Resources of the Statistical System
 Part 4: Dissemination of Agricultural Statistics
 Part 5: Agricultural Surveys and Censuses
SSAQ is prepared in English and French and sent to the contact points in the countries via
internet to be completed in electronic or printed formats as convenient. The contact points are
selected after a desk study on the Member Countries’ related web pages, review of contact
points for other international organizations, and own networks. 31 out of 57 countries
responded officially to the questionnaire. 5 questionnaires were completed by experts based
on information provided in the national and international web pages and publications. The
response rate is deemed as acceptable in comparison with other similar attempts conducted
previously, and considering the short period (one month) available for obtaining responses
during the holiday period (23 Dec-24 Jan), and the lack of time/possibility for additional
efforts to reach countries who did not provide responses. Annex 3 presents the response
status of COMCEC Member Countries to the questionnaire.
Country Visits-Case Studies: Eight case studies are presented in the study. The case studies
are prepared by visits conducted by senior statistics experts to Afghanistan, Malaysia, Turkey,
Iran, Cameroon, Morocco, Sudan and Uganda. The case studies contain a comprehensive
review of the agricultural statistical systems in the selected countries, and conduct a SWOT
analysis and needs assessment for each country.