Currently, the extent of agricultural and agro-industry weekly data collection efforts in the agricultural and agro-industries sector is extremely limited. Quantitative and qualitative indicators, necessary for analysis, reporting, and information sharing, are lacking in these two areas. These factors present serious challenges to investment in this sector, and development of knowledge-driven policy making.

The project’s main objective is to strengthen the Ministry of Planning and Development Cooperation’s Central Office for Statistics and Information Technology’s (COSIT) agricultural and agro-industry information services, through the provision of capacity building activities, to produce comprehensive, reliable, and timely information.

The sustainability of the project will be enhanced by interaction between COSIT and users of information (Government, Industry, Retailers, Private Investors), thus developing a product and process that meets the needs of a broad range of information consumers in the field of agricultural and agro-industrial planning. This project plays a critical role in addressing the priority of GoI in providing accurate data collection, analysis, and reporting for Agriculture, Agro-industry, Environment and Natural Resources Management. In addition, the project results will eventually accommodate the government in developing agriculture and industry policies related to pricing, tariffs, import/export agro-products balance, and subsidies.