Expert Consultation on Root Crop Statistics
(Harare, Zimbabwe, 3-6 December 2002)
OPENING ADDRESS BY Ms V. SEKITOLEKO, SUB-REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF FAO
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the Director General of FAO, it is truly a pleasure to be here with you all today on the occasion of the opening of this Expert Consultation on Root Crop Statistics.
I would like to start by expressing my very sincere gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe for hosting this Workshop. I would also like to welcome all the participants, many of whom have travelled long distances to be with us here today.
Ladies and gentlemen
As you know, the 1996 World Food Summit recognized the need to develop concerted efforts towards poverty eradication and finding long-lasting and sustainable solutions to problems associated with malnutrition and food insecurity at individual, household, national, regional and global levels. In many African countries, roots and tuber crops contribute significantly to staple food requirements and thus play an important role in national and household level food security. Cassava, sweet potatoes, yams, taro and Irish potatoes are widely consumed in the continent and are the main elements of diet in a number of countries.
Yet, despite their unquestionable importance for food security in a large number of African countries, roots and tubers are the crops about which statistics remains the most uncertain. Good and accurate statistics will provide immeasurable support in our fight to break the vicious circle of poverty and food insecurity. Programmes and projects aimed at increasing agricultural production and stabilising food supply will only succeed if backed up by timely and reliable statistics.
FAO has always been at the forefront of methodological research to assist member countries to produce reliable and timely food and agricultural statistics to back their domestic policies and for use by the International community. Since 1950, FAO has developed a number of valuable technical and methodological manuals widely used as reference by the community of agricultural statisticians.
Given the wide range of knowledge and worldwide experience brought by the experts present here, I am confident that your meeting will greatly contribute to the improvement of methodologies for producing better statistics on root and tuber crops.
I wish you all success in your deliberations at this Expert Consultation on Root Crop Statistics.
Thank you.
