Liberia Tackles Agricultural Data Challenges with FAO's Support
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is stepping in to assist Liberia in addressing its pressing agricultural data needs, especially in areas where collecting reliable statistics is hampered by poor infrastructure, adverse weather, and remote locations. This initiative aims to bridge data gaps crucial for informed policy-making and sustainable development.
Photo source: Insights Liberia
Reliable data on agricultural production is essential for shaping sound policies to support Liberia’s development. However, collecting such data in the country has proven challenging. Poor road networks often force survey teams to abandon their vehicles and trek long distances to reach farming communities. Farmers, too, face difficulties—some struggle with a lack of trust, while others find it challenging to quantify their yields using standard measurements.
Antony Dymacole, Statistical Assistant at the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), highlighted the hurdles, stating, “When it comes to surveys in Liberia, one of the most [difficult] challenges is the accessibility. Most of our roads, they are not good.”
Despite these challenges, efforts to engage farmers are yielding positive results. Farmer Suzana Tarway shared her initial apprehension about participating in surveys, saying, “I was a little bit afraid, but when Onika explained it to me, and we went through the survey document and she interviewed me, I understood it. I am happy about all the information she asked me.”
FAO is deploying advanced methodologies to enhance data accuracy, such as crop-cutting techniques. Yakob Seid, Senior Statistician at the FAO Statistics Division, explained, “Crop cutting helps us to have an objective estimate. It involves processes like measuring wet and dry weights to provide more reliable field estimates.”
Liberia’s participation in FAO’s 50x2030 Initiative is a critical step in overcoming these challenges. This global program, a partnership between FAO, the World Bank, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), seeks to transform agricultural data systems in 50 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America by 2030. With a USD 500 million budget, the initiative emphasizes data-smart agriculture to address food crises, enhance climate resilience, and improve rural livelihoods.
Bintia Stephen-Tchicaya, FAO Representative in Liberia, stressed the importance of accurate data: “Without reliable data, interventions could be poorly targeted or ineffective. Data also empowers local communities by addressing their specific development needs.”
By providing technical assistance to 31 countries, including Liberia, FAO underscores the importance of quality data for eradicating hunger, reducing poverty, and driving sustainable development. As José Rosero Moncayo, Director and Chief Statistician at FAO, aptly noted, “Good data leads to good policies, effective implementation, and impactful monitoring.”
This collaborative effort not only enhances Liberia’s agricultural landscape but also sets a blueprint for leveraging data to build resilient and self-sufficient communities.
Can FAO's initiative empower Liberia's farming communities to achieve self-sufficiency?
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