1.4. Arrangement of the set of indicators

One of the most common examples of describing the use of a set of indicators to provide comprehensive view at a glance is the dashboard of a car, where information on different related factors is put together in one location to provide an overall picture to the user. This suggests that a set of indicators needs to be defined and organised keeping in view the ultimate objective. The present compendium is a step in this direction. It has been organised with the intention of studying the state of the agricultural environment in different regions of the world by looking at agricultural land, a key resource. To analyse 'the state' and understand areas of real concern, regional indicators have been supported by country level information and continental groupings have been further supported by regional groups. A logical framework of the analysis is given below.

A. Pressure Indicators:

Four indicators dealing with production, agricultural production, land and labour have been selected to indicate pressure of agricultural activity on agricultural land.

P.1 Pressure for food and agriculture production for a region has been measured through net export (i.e. export value less import value) of agricultural and food production at base period price. This indicator can be positive or negative depending on the extent of dependence on the rest of the world. Values with a positive sign reveal a comfortable situation for the region. Net product has been divided by total population to compare magnitude of the pressure among regions and countries.

P.2 Agricultural land per agricultural worker (labour force) reveals pressure of economic activity on agricultural land. The smaller the value of the number indicates more pressure on the land.

P.3/4 Both the indicators 'Number of live animals per hectare of permanent pastures' and 'Number of live animals per hectare of agricultural area' presents the livestock-land ratio. Keeping two similar indicators has been considered appropriate as in some of the developing countries livestock also depends on agricultural waste.

B. State Indicators:

Fifteen indicators have been selected to reveal the current and changing state of agricultural land. These indicators highlight: (a) importance of agricultural activity in the country and among the workers (three indicators); (b) distribution of land use (five indicators); (c) use of agri-chemicals and machineries (five indicators); and (d) status of irrigation (two indicators). While studying use of agri-chemicals, indicators have been constructed using arable land as well as total agricultural land keeping in view differences in the agricultural practice in different countries. Similarly, in the case of the status of irrigated land, both agricultural area and area under temporary and permanent crops are used as indicators. Selected indicators are:

S.1 Share of agricultural GDP in total GDP
S.2 Share of population dependent on agriculture in total population
S.3 Share of agricultural labour force in total labour force

S.4 Share of agricultural land in total area
S.5 Share of arable land and land under permanent crops in total agricultural area
S.6 Share of arable land in total agricultural land
S.7 Share of land under permanent crops in the total agricultural land
S.8 Share of land under permanent pastures in the total agricultural land

S.9 Fertilizer consumption per hectare of arable land
S.10 Fertilizer consumption per hectare of agricultural land
S.11 Pesticide consumption per hectare of arable land
S.12 Pesticide consumption per hectare of agricultural land
S.13 Number of tractors used per hectare of arable land
S.14 Share of irrigated land in total agricultural land
S.15 Share of irrigated land in total land under temporary and permanent crops

C. Response Indicators

Four indicators have been selected to indicate response of agricultural activity on agricultural land. Response has been defined in two ways: first, by looking at land and labour productivity and second, by the response of society and the international community in providing resources for the improvement of agriculture. The indicators are:

R.1 Value of agricultural production per hectare of agricultural area
R.2 Agricultural GDP per agricultural worker (labour force)
R.3 Agricultural investment per hectare of agricultural area
R.4 External assistance to agriculture per hectare of agricultural area