Improving Agricultural Statistics in the COMCEC Region
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2.5 Index of Agricultural Statistics Development
a. Methodology
The Index of Agricultural Statistics Development (IASD) is composed of six dimensions,
namely, organization, outputs, timeliness, methodology, resources and availability. Each
dimension is composed of measurable indicators. The total number of indicators is 19.
Furthermore, each indicator is comprised of many variables. The dimensions, corresponding
indicators and scores assigned to each indicator are summarized in Table 29.
Table 29: IASD Summary Scores
Dimension/Indicators Maximum Score Source
Organization 22
Legal Framework 5 SSAQ Part 1
Structure 6 SSAQ Part 1
Strategic Framework 6 SSAQ Part 1
International Cooperation 5 SSAQ Part 1/UNSD
Outputs 21
Statistics 12 SSAQ Part 2.1
Statistical Indicators 9 SSAQ Part 2.2
Timeliness 30
Statistics 10 SSAQ 2.1
Statistical Indicators 10 SSAQ 2.2
Census Calender 10 SSAQ 15+UDA Survey+FAO
Methodology 50
Classifications 15 SSAQ Parts 1.4, 2.3, 5
Census Methodology 13 FAO+SSAQ Part 5+UDA Survey
Data Sources 12 SSAQ Part 2.1
Data Coverage 10 SSAQ Part 2.2
Resources 15
Financial 4 SSAQ Part 3.1
Human 8 SSAQ Part 3.2
Physical 3 SSAQ Part 3.3
Availability 62
Dissemination Format 21 SSAQ Part 4
UDA Web Survey 26 SSAQ 14/UDA Survey
CountrySTAT Partnership 15 UDA/FAO
Total Maximum Score 200
Organization: The first dimension, namely organization, representing the environment in
which agricultural statistics operates, consists of 4 indicators: legal framework, structure,
strategic framework and international cooperation. The legal framework questions whether an
operational statistical law covering agricultural statistics exists. It also questions whether
there is a formal statistical advisory or coordination body. The structure of the statistical
system attempts to capture the extent to which statistics are centralized and coordinated, both
sectorially and geographically. The strategic framework involves the availability of a strategic
plan and program for agricultural statistics. Finally the last indicator looks at the extent of