INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: Institute Advises Govt. to Improve Quality of Agric Data

Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute

The Director of Studies, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Dr Olufemi Oladunni, has urged government at all levels to improve the quality and quantity of its data on agriculture and rural areas if it is to continue meeting the demands of a growing population.

Oladunni, while speaking with newsmen stated that the data was vital for effective planning and strategy, noting that the accuracy and quality of agricultural statistics, has become a key priority as the government strives to develop more effective policies to tackle its food security problems.

While the  National Bureau of Statistics( NBS) is taking  steps to improve  on the situation, Oladunni said the  agricultural sector needs an industry  specific data that  is  timely, accurate, and reliable that  can be used by decision makers to develop policies, programs and investments that improve people’s lives.

According to him, reliable statistics are vital in tracking country needs and achievements and that accurate government expenditure data are needed to track the country’s commitments and expenditures on agriculture.

He said the relevant authorities must find better ways to collate agricultural data  as  attempts  to use figures to better predict the future of farming failed because the available statistics were either unreliable or not detailed enough to be useful.

Oladunni, while ensuring that an equitable and sufficient future food supply is of critical importance, noted that the industry needs reliable statistics   to justify the claims of increasing food production.

According to him, industry statistics must reflect the pattern of structural change that the level of agricultural production and projected food demand targets.

He   emphasized the importance of connecting, national policy-makers, businesses, investors, researchers and analysts with official agricultural statistics, calling for national assessments that will generate reliable and timely food and agricultural statistics.

He    believes that the availability of accurate comparable agricultural data would enable farmers to make better production and marketing choices and in so doing, boost agricultural productivity and incomes.

Quality data, he   added would allow the country to develop more effective agricultural policies, monitor and evaluate progress.