MEDSTAT III Social Statistics

AGRICULTURE STATISTICS Final Workshop on National Strategy for the Development Agricultural Statistics, Brussels, 28-29 November 2013

Euro-Mediterranean Statistical Co-operation Programme Contract: ENPI/2010/234-479

Report on the Final Workshop on National Strategies for the Development of Agriculture Statistics in the Mediterranean Partner Countries

Brussels 28-29 November 2013

Subject Final Workshop on National Strategies for the Development of Agriculture Statistics in the Mediterranean Partner Countries Country Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia. Dates/period November 28-29, 2013

Document’s identity:

Author Dr Hassan Serghini, Key expert MEDSTAT III, Date 04.12.2013

Recipient(s) DEVCO, Eurostat Version First draft

1. Introduction

The adoption of the Global Strategy for the Improvement of Agricultural and Rural Statistics at the international level has shaped the work programme of MEDSTAT III in the Agriculture statistics sector. The Global Strategy focuses on the improvement of statistical infrastructure for agriculture statistics, the national coordination of statistical production and the close collaboration with users.

Technical Assistance for the preparation of national strategies for the development of agricultural statistics (NSDAS) has been provided to Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia and Lebanon. In these countries, representatives of National Statistical Institutions, the Ministries of Agriculture and a large number of user institutions (public and private) discussed the actions proposed and made suggestions on how to finalize the strategy during workshops organized in each of these countries. They are the most advanced at the global level in the preparation of strategic documents, thanks to the assistance of the MEDSTAT III project.

The object of this final workshop was to share these experiences with the other Mediterranean Partner Countries and the international community.

FAO, African Development Bank (ADB), EU (EUROSTAT and EuropeAID) were invited to participate in this workshop.

During the workshop, Tunisia, Lebanon, Morocco and Jordan presented their national strategies for developing agricultural statistics. The workshop provided also the opportunity for the international organizations to present the Global strategy and the state of its implementation in Africa.

This project is funded by the European Union This project is implemented by: ADETEF – MEDSTAT III 120, rue de Bercy 75572 Paris Cedex 12 – France Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 44 25 60 / 22 84 / 22 88 Fax: +33 (0)1 53 44 22 90 AGRICULTURE STATISTICS Final Workshop on National Strategy for the Development Agricultural Statistics, Brussels, 28-29 November 2013

2. Presentations

2.1Session 1: International initiatives for the Development of Agriculture Statistics

The workshop (WS) was chaired by José Cervera team leader of MEDSTAT III Programme. Ms Irène Mingasson, Head of Unit in EuropeAid, opened the WS. Ms. Mingasson mentioned that the 2008 food crisis has highlighted the importance of the association of the population in the elaboration of the agricultural development policies and of reliable data which are a key element for the design and the monitoring of these policies. EU has supported agricultural development to various countries. MEDSTAT III has developed national strategies for the development of agricultural statistics in 4 MPCs. These strategies have to be implemented. MEDSTAT III has encouraged the production and uses of relevant and reliable agricultural statistics. He concluded by stressing the contribution of MEDSTAT III for having more sustainable agricultural statistics and for enhancing the exchanges of experiences between MPCs. At the end he thanked the countries and the MEDSTAT III team for the achievement of in the Agriculture statistics component.

After this speech, participants from countries pointed out the achievement of MEDSTAT III-Agriculture. This component was a source of training, exchanges of experiences, elaborating national strategies for 4 countries, technical assistance in different domains in favor of MPCs. The implementation of the national strategies needs technical assistance. Other tools of technical assistance were brought about: TAIEX and TWINNING. MEDSTAT III-Agriculture was very beneficial for countries to meet international standards. Discussion focused also on the importance of strengthening the achievement of MEDSTAT III-Agriculture after its end.

During this session, the key expert (Hassan Serghini), Mrs. Nancy Chin (FAO) and Mr. Abdoulaye Adam (African Development Bank), made the following presentations:

MEDSTAT III-Agriculture and its implementation:

Dr. Serghini presented:

. The preparation of the programme during the inception phase; . The events and; . The technical assistance provided to countries.

Global Strategy

Mrs. Nancy Chin (FAO) presented an overview of the Global Action Plan, the core of the global strategy (SPARS: Strategic Plan for Agriculture & Rural Statistics), the progress to date, the links to MEDSTAT III activities (experience gained, good practices in process of developing SPARS, experience useful for other countries), the success factors, and the 4 key principles for the SPARS (SPARS as a building block of NSDS, design vs. implementation, sequenced vs. permanent steps, and links with norms, tools and best practices).

Africa Action Plan (2011-2015) for Improving Statistics for Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development in Africa

Mr. Abdoulaye Adam (African Development Bank) presented the global strategy, the general objectives of the action plan for Africa and the components of the action plan (governance mechanisms, country assessments, and technical components).

Key items emerged from discussion:

. No regional institution has been assigned for the coordination of NSDAS in the Middle-East; . Publications of Guidelines for methodologies (cost of production, crop estimations, population and agricultural censuses) should be a priority;

. Difficulty of working with more than 50 countries in Africa; . Use of MEDSTAT III experience in the elaboration of national strategies in African countries; . Fundraising: governments should participate in the financing of the strategies, use of TAIEX and TWINNING should be made, implication of EU delegations and other international organizations is sought; . The importance of the commitment of the National Institutes of Statistics; . Possibility of the continuation of MEDSTAT with some time lag; . Research priorities: area frames, uses of GPS and GIS, root crops, fisheries and environment statistics; . Relevance of compilation of satellite agricultural accounts; . National strategies are not a shopping list: needs for the establishment of priorities and for step by step implementation; . EUROSTAT is involved in the Global Strategy.

2.1. Session 2: Methodology for the preparation of NSDAS and country cases

2.2.1. Methodology of the preparation of national strategies for developing agricultural statistics:

Dr. Serghini presented the methodology used for the preparation of the National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in MPCs:

. The choice of the countries; . Meetings with most stakeholders of the agricultural statistical system; . The general organization of the system: the laws related to statistical studies, the existence of a coordinating committee for statistical studies, and the identification of the main responsible for agricultural statistics; . The users’ demands: national accounting, monitoring and assessing agricultural policies and strategies, evaluation of the impacts of agricultural policies (modeling), professional organization needs and other ministries needs; . The available agricultural statistics in terms of irrigated and non-irrigated areas and productions of main crops and livestock numbers and productions (meat, milk…), farm structure, farmers’ incomes, investments and capital formation, uses of the productions and processing of agricultural products, input uses and production costs, producer prices, wholesale prices of the main fruit and vegetables and export and import of agricultural products; . The sources of available agricultural statistics : surveys, administrative data and expert assessments; . The gap between the needs and the supply of information, . Data quality; . The components of the strategy . The proposition of statistical operations for the next 10 years, . Methodological improvement; . Quality control; . Human resources.

2.2.2. National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in Tunisia

Mrs. Souhair Belaid (MoA Tunisia) presented the national strategy for developing agricultural statistics in Tunisia. The main elements of her presentation were:

. Objectives of the national strategy; . The diagnosis of the system of agricultural statistics (organization, existing agricultural statistics and surveys, users demands and needs, chain of collecting, processing, analyzing and disseminating of data and analyzing the methodologies used by the agricultural surveys; . The gap between users’ demands and data available and the reasons for this gap; . The main components of the national strategy: 10-year programme of statistical operations, improvement of the quality, the methodologies for collecting and disseminating agricultural statistics, strengthening the visibility of the system of agricultural statistics, strengthening the coordination among agricultural statistics stockholders, identification of funding sources and human and material resources necessary for the implementation of the strategy and proposition of implementing calendar.

2.2.3. National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in Morocco

Mr. Mohammed Kamili (MoA) presented the National Strategy for the Development of Agricultural Statistics. He first presented an overview of the Moroccan agriculture and the strategy for its development called ‘Plan Maroc Vert’ (PMV). He deduced the necessity for having an agricultural statistical system that meet the ambition of the PMV. He presented then:

. The general objectives, the specific objectives and the expected results of the National Strategy for Developing Agricultural Statistics; . An analysis of the needs of users in terms of agricultural productions and uses and in terms of technologies and inputs’ uses and in terms of marketing and prices; . The main agricultural surveys undertaken by the Ministry of Agriculture; . The administrative sources; . The main surveys related to agriculture implemented by the ‘Haut Commissariat au Plan’; . An analysis of the gap between the user needs and available agricultural statistics; . An analysis of the available resources (human, financial and materials); . The main statistical operations proposed in the strategy and the topics covered by these operations.

2.2.4. National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in Lebanon

Ms Amal Salibi (MoA) presented the National Strategy for the Development of Agricultural Statistics in Lebanon:

. Lebanon agriculture sector facts; . Government planning for agriculture: MoA strategic framework 2010-2014; . Phases of strategy formulation; . Analysis of the agricultural statistical system in Lebanon: institutions, main uses of agricultural statistics, agricultural productions and uses, inputs and technologies, marketing and prices and main agricultural statistical projects; . Strengths and weaknesses; . National strategy to develop agricultural statistics in Lebanon: objectives, proposed action plan and its calendar, expected results and estimated budget;

. Next steps: finalizing the strategy and mobilizing funds, carrying out of an agricultural production survey (2012-2013), identifying/implementing a number of supplementary surveys and thematic surveys (cost of production survey, agriculture price statistics…) and strengthening GIS unit.

2.2.5. National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in Jordan

Dr. Bassam Zain (DOS) presented the Strategy for the Development of Agricultural Statistics in Jordan. He first indicated the methodology used for elaborating the strategy and then presented the diagnosis and the action plan. The diagnosis included the following items:

. A description of the institutions that govern the agriculture statistics system; . Human and materiel resources (DOS Staff and the MoA Staff); . User needs; . Agriculture statistics available (Agricultural Census, Crops and livestock surveys and price and capital formation surveys); . Evaluation of the quality of agricultural statistics: institutions, statistical procedures, statistical results and diffusion and dissemination.

The main components of the action plan:

. Objective of the strategy; . Statistical operations; . Methodological improvement; . Improvement of the quality of the agricultural statistical system; . Strengthening the human and material resources; . Schedule for the implementation of the proposed operations.

Key items emerged from discussion:

. Motivation of the country is a key element in the elaboration and the implementation of national strategies; . Lack of human resources dedicated to agricultural statistics; . National strategies have not included fishing activities; . General agricultural census and concept harmonization should be an important part of the national strategies; . Some actions’ implementation like the improvement of the quality, do not need more resources to be implemented; . Cooperation is fundamental between the MoA and the National Institutes of Statistics; . Already some actions related to the national strategies are in the process of being implemented such as the area frame pilot in Jordan; . Challenges in finding the funds for the NSDAS; . Impressive work carried out in the preparation of NSDAS in the four first countries, the methodology of the elaboration of the national strategies was sound; . It is important to keep the momentum; . Cooperation between countries is sought;

2.2.Session 3: Use of agricultural statistics for policy-making

2.2.1. Country presentations

Algeria:

Mr. Mouloud Lounis (MoA) from Algeria presented:

. Briefly the history of agricultural statistics in his country; . The link between reliable information and the level of their uses; . Users needs for understanding and evaluating the pertinent indicators published; . The users of agricultural statistics: mainly ‘l’Office National des Statistics’ (ONS), technical services of the MoA, the Wilayas, other ministries the universities, investors, media, and citizens.

Egypt:

Mrs. Ghada Elsayed (CAPMAS) indicated in her presentation the objective of using agricultural statistics (activation, consolidation and in-depth analysis of statistical figures), the areas of their uses (indicators of space, productivity and production of agricultural crops, food sufficiency ratio, farmers’ incomes…) and their uses for agricultural development (increasing the competitiveness of agricultural products, improving the standard of living of the rural population…).

Israel The presentation of Mr. Shamir focused on: . The main activities in agricultural statistics in the CBS and in the MoA; . Agricultural output and export values; . The previous agricultural censuses and comparison between them; . Major insights; . The reasons for new agricultural census; . Agriculture Census vs. GIS Mapping; . Census Questionnaire; . Census schedule and Costs.

Jordan

The presentation of Mr. Ayman Alhusni (MoA) covers:

. Jordan Profile . Economic Indicators . Agriculture sector: productions, imports and exports, farm and non-farm income; . Agricultural statistics in the MoA: staff, main responsibilities and duties, available infrastructure of the agricultural information system, work mechanism, data base and coordination with DoS

Lebanon: Miss Mayssaa Daher (CAS) presentation focused on the following items:

. Share of the sector in national economy; . The National Accounts estimates for the year 2011; . The CAS statistical year book; . The needs for the national accounts: yearly production survey, cost of production survey and prices survey.

Morocco:

The Moroccan presentation focused on:

. The Moroccan agricultural sector; . The importance of the availability of agricultural statistics; . The structure of the agricultural statistical system; . The main statistical activities; . The uses of agricultural statistics: potential users of agricultural statistics, their uses in particular National Accounts; . Upgrading the system of agricultural information statistical system; . Weaknesses of the agricultural statistics.

Palestine:

Mrs. Shadia Abu Alzain presented the uses of agricultural statistics in Palestine. The main items are:

. Goals: produce accurate and comprehensive data; . Main Indicators: administrative records and field surveys; . Data Sources and Methods of Collecting: census and specialized surveys; . Coverage and limitations: available data do not include all agriculture statistics indicators; . Achievements of Agriculture Statistics Department; . Main users for agriculture statistics; . Ways to improve agriculture statistics.

Tunisia:

Mr. Adel Ben Helal (INS) presented the system of national accounts in Tunisia, the sources of information for the agricultural accounts, and how agricultural statistics are used for these accounts. Mrs. Souhir Belaid has enumerated the users of agricultural statistics and the kind of statistics they use.

Ways for Promoting Uses of Agriculture Statistics:

The KE – agriculture presented ideas on how to promote the uses of agricultural statistics in the MPCs. He stressed:

. That agricultural statistics are very costly so they need to be used in order to make worth the efforts; . Different uses and users of agriculture statistics; . Increase the quality and the reliability of agriculture statistics; . The need for a dissemination policy; . Promotion of their uses;

Key items emerged from discussion on countries’ presentations

The end of each presentation was the occasion for discussion of the agricultural statistical issues. The main points discussed are: . The possibility for the MPCs which have not elaborated their national strategies, to use the experiences of the others in order to make changes in their systems; . National strategies are not frozen, should evolve in time; . When local government produces statistics, the quality may be altered because of the interest of local government in showing the achievements; . Importance of dialogue between users and producers; . Importance of dissemination policy in particular the accessibility of data; . Importance of the mechanization of the processing and the diffusion of agricultural statistics and to allow user to make comments on line; . Data should be disseminated with the metadata; . Possibility of pricing agricultural statistics publications (not recommended).

3. Conclusions and the way forward

The elaboration of the national strategy for developing agricultural statistics for 4 countries in the MPCs is an important step in the improvement of agricultural statistics in these countries. This achievement of MEDSTAT III is a significant contribution of the EC in the implementation of the Global Strategy. The participatory approach used for their elaboration helped in their appropriation by the countries.

The implementation of these national strategies requires the support of international organization but more important is the support of the governments of these countries. Indeed the latter are the ones who are responsible for the implementation. The countries need to start implementing their national strategies.

The improvement of agricultural statistics needs also to:

. Strengthen the relationships with users; . Promote de dissemination of agricultural statistics; . Use innovative methods: industrialization of the production of statistics which will induce cost reduction, . Implement training programme: essential to the success of the improvement of Agricultural statistics; This project is funded by the European Union This project is implemented by: ADETEF – MEDSTAT III 120, rue de Bercy 75572 Paris Cedex 12 – France Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 44 25 60 / 22 84 / 22 88 Fax: +33 (0)1 53 44 22 90 AGRICULTURE STATISTICS Final Workshop on National Strategy for the Development Agricultural Statistics, Brussels, 28-29 November 2013

MEDSTAT programmes have initiated cooperation among MPCs countries and have undertaken many actions that helped countries improve their agricultural statistics. It is necessary to keep the momentum and to follow up. The role of the countries is essential but the cooperation with EU is essential as well. The future of MEDSTAT will depend on the evaluation of MEDSTAT III and the will of MPCs and their priorities. For agriculture has to be part of this future, countries need to show their interest for agricultural statistics.

4. Evaluation of the workshop

The evaluation of the workshop by the participants was satisfactory. Detail is given in annex 2

Annex 1

(Draft Agenda)

MEDSTAT III – Agriculture Final Workshop:

National Strategies for the Development of Agriculture Statistics in the Mediterranean Partner Countries

Brussels, 28-29 November 2013

Thursday, November 28, 2013 (9:00 – 17:30)

Morning (9:00 - 12:00): Session 1: International initiatives for the Development of Agriculture Statistics

9:00 - 9:15 Participants’ Registration

9:15 - 9:30 Opening European Commission 9:30 - 9:35 Introduction of the Workshop programme José CERVERA (TL, MEDSTAT III)

9:35 - 9:45 1.1 National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in MEDSTAT III – Agriculture programme Serghini (KE, MEDSTAT III) 9:45 -10:00 Comments Participants

10:0 -10:15 Coffee break

10:15 - 10:35 1.2 Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics Chin (FAO) 10:35 - 11:00 Comments Participants

11:00 - 11:20 1.3 Africa Action Plan (2011-2015) for Improving Statistics for Food Security, Sustainable Agriculture & Rural Development ADB 11:20 - 12:00 Comments Participants

12:00 -14:00: Lunch Break

Afternoon (14:00 - 17:30): Session 2: Methodology for the preparation of NSDAS and country cases

14:00 - 14:20 2.1 Methodology used for the preparation of National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics Serghini (KE, MEDSTAT III) 14:20 - 14:40 Comments Participants

14:40 - 15:00 2.2 National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in Tunisia Participant from Tunisia 15:00 - 15:20 Comments Participants

15:20 -15:40 Coffee break

15:40 - 16:00 2.3 National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in Morocco Participant from Morocco 16:00 - 16:20 Comments Participants

16:20 - 16:40 2.4 National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in Lebanon Participant from Lebanon 16:40 - 17:00 Comments Participants

17:00 - 17:20 2.5 National Strategies for Developing Agricultural Statistics in Jordan Participant from Jordan 17:20 - 17:40 Comments Participants

Friday November 29, 2013 (9:00 – 12:30)

Morning (9:00 - 12:00): Session 3: Use of agricultural statistics for policy-making

9:00 - 9:10 3.1 Uses of agricultural Statistics in Algeria Participant from Algeria 9:10 - 9:20 Comments Participants

9:20 - 9:30 3.2 Uses of agricultural Statistics in Egypt Participant from Egypt 9:30 - 9:40 Comments Participants

9:20 - 9:30 3.3 Uses of agricultural Statistics in Israel Participant from Israel 9:30 - 9:40 Comments Participants

9:40 - 9:50 3.4 Uses of agricultural Statistics in Jordan Participant from Jordan 9:50 - 10:00 Comments Participants

10:00 -10:10 3.5 Uses of agricultural Statistics in Lebanon Participant from Lebanon 10:10 – 10:20 Comments Participants

10:20 - 10:50 Coffee break

10:50 -11:00 3.6 Uses of agricultural Statistics in Palestine Participant from Palestine 11:00 – 11:10 Comments Participants

11:10 -11:20 3.7 Uses of agricultural Statistics in Morocco Participant from Morocco 11:20 – 11:30 Comments Participants

11:30 -11:40 3.8 Uses of agricultural Statistics in Tunisia Participant from Tunisia 11:20 – 11:30 Comments Participants

11:30 - 11:45 3.9 How to promote the use of agricultural statistics in MPC Serghini (KE, MEDSTAT III) 11:45 - 12:15 Comments Participants

12:15 - 12:45 3.10 Conclusions and closing of the workshop European Commission

Annex 2:

Evaluation

Number of responses Average Very Very Not no Good Satisfactory Poor Total score good poor applicable response

1. Oral presentation of papers 5 9 1 15 4,1

2. Content of papers 5 9 1 15 4,1 3. Style and clarity of papers 5 9 1 15 4,1 4. Clarity of objectives for each 6 9 15 4,4 agenda item 5. Division of discussion time 9 6 15 4,6 between agenda items 6. Quality of conclusion reached 7 8 15 4,5 after discussion of each item

7. Quality of AR1 interpreting (if no interpreting EN1 6 2 8 4,8 provided, tick "not applicable") FR1 3 2 5 4,6 8. Please Meeting room 5 7 2 14 4,2 indicate your level of Hotel 6 7 2 15 4,3 satisfaction with accommodation the following

aspects of local Meals 4 4 3 10 4.5 organization Transport 2 3 2 1 7 4,3 Overall evaluation of the meeting 3 12 15 4,2

Annex 3

Participants

Civil Country Last name First name Institution Status Ministère de l'Agriculture et du Algeria Mr LOUNIS Mouloud développement rural Egypt Mr FOUAD OSMAN ADHAM Ahmed Ministry of Agriculture ELSAYED IBRAHIM Egypt Mrs Ghada CAPMAS ELZONKOLY Israel Mrs SHAMIR Chana Anat CBS Israel Mrs GRINSTEIN DECKER Inbar Ministry of Agriculture and rural development Jordan Mr ZAIN Bassam DOS Jordan Mr KHUNDAKJI Amgad Ministry of Agriculture Lebanon Mrs DAHER Mayssaa ACS Lebanon Mrs SALIBI Amal Ministère de l'Agriculture Ministère de l'Agriculture et de la pêche Morocco Mr. KAMILI Mohammed martime Morocco Mrs CHAOUI Souad DS / HCP Palestine Mrs ABU ALZAIN Shadia PCBS Palestine Mr GHANIM Iyad Ministry of Agriculture Tunisia Mrs BELAID Souhir Ministère de l'Agriculture Tunisia Mr BEN HELAL Adel INS MEDSTAT III Mr. SERGHINI Hassane MEDSTAT III MEDSTAT III Mr. CERVERA José-Luis MEDSTAT III FAO Mrs CHIN Nancy FAO African Development Mr ADAM Abdoulaye ADB Bank EUROSTAT Mrs MONTGOMERY Rosemary EUROSTAT - ESTAT EUROSTAT Mr SELENIUS Johan EUROSTAT - ESTAT EUROPEAN Mrs GATELLI Debora EUROPEAN COMMISSION DG AGRI COMMISSION EUROPEAN Mrs LA PECERELLA Camilla EUROPEAID - Unit C1 COMMISSION EUROPEAID Mrs GUALDI Laura EUROPEAID - Unit C1 EUROPEAN Mr FERNANDEZ GARCIA Eugenio EUROPEAN COMMISSION DG AGRI COMMISSION EUROPEAID Mr ROJANSKI Vladimir EUROPEAID EUROPEAID Mrs MINGASSON Irène EUROPEAID EUROPEAID Mr DE CAO Gianpietro EUROPEAID

This project is funded by the European Union This project is implemented by: ADETEF – MEDSTAT III 120, rue de Bercy 75572 Paris Cedex 12 – France Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 44 25 60 / 22 84 / 22 88 Fax: +33 (0)1 53 44 22 90