With strong emphasis on capacity development, we are leading the way in strengthening primary data collection at the country level. FAO is also a leader in advocating the harmonization of datasets, in accordance with internationally accepted classification schemes and practices in data collection and dissemination.

FAO statistics is undertaking concerted efforts to ensure, the type of statistics that produces informed decision-making are collected at the country level. This entails ensuring that statistical staff on the ground possess the technical capacity to deliver reliable and timely data, that sound architecture and statistical systems exist and, of course, that the used statistical methodologies are in concordance with international standards and classifications.

Regional workshops
As a recent example, for instance, FAO organized a series of seven regional workshops in different continents over 2010 and 2011. They were attended by a total of 213 participants from 113 countries. The main purpose of these workshops was to assess the requirements to gather quality data on production, trade, Food Balance Sheets (FBS) and producer prices and to analyze the degree of conformity to international standards and methodologies. The workshops were designed to help countries better understand the issues in meeting the requirements of FAO questionnaires. An important outcome of the workshops was an anticipated increase in the number of responses from countries to FAO statistical questionnaire which, in turn, will translate into the improved accuracy of FAOSTAT for the benefit of all users.