23 August 2019, Islamabad—The Food and Agriculture organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded a three-day orientation workshop on master sampling frame and use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS)/Remote Sensing for agriculture census at the FAO representation office in Pakistan. The training workshop which brought together relevant stakeholders, including representatives from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, Ministry of National Food Security & Research, Ministry of Planning, Development & Reform, Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Commission, Provincial Bureaus of Statistics and Crop Reporting Services (CRS of Agriculture Departments), aimed to introduce global methodologies employed for the preparation and use of master sampling frame, sample design for integrated agriculture census and GIS/remote sensing for agriculture statistics.
The workshop, conducted by an international expert, had been designed as part of a plan to support the Pakistan Bureau of statistics with the integrated agriculture survey—which the bureau plans to initiate with technical support from FAO. The learning activities ranging from the main steps involved in planning an agriculture census to imagery for agriculture statistics and GPS field area measurements helped the participants identify gaps in the methodologies currently being employed to produce agriculture statistics and provided recommendations on steps to minimize these variations.
“FAO works closely with key stakeholders to support improvements in data collection and accuracy. The workshop will provide an opportunity to explore and introduce new methodologies for data sampling and analysis which will develop capacity for improved decision-making and help address food insecurity,” said Dr. Robina Wahaj, Land and Water Officer (Officer in Charge), FAO Pakistan.
“The master sampling frame and use of GIS/Remote Sensing for agriculture census workshop is extremely beneficial for the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics as it is conducting the Integrated Agriculture Census for the first time. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics officials will develop a better understanding of the methodologies used for Integrated Agriculture Census and use of GIS/remote sensing for agriculture statistics through this workshop. We appreciate the technical and timely support of FAO for the forthcoming Integrated Agriculture Census,” said Mr. Ayazuddin, Deputy Director General, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.
FAO has a long standing collaboration with the Government of Pakistan in the field of agriculture statistics. As a specialized UN agency, FAO helps collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate information and knowledge related to food and agriculture. FAO also cooperates with national stakeholders to ensure availability of high-quality data, statistics and information and analysis of available data, statistics and information using robust and standardized analytical methods.

For media inquiries, please contact Mehr Hassan, Communications Specialist, FAO Pakistan at [email protected]

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