The Food and Agriculture Microdata (FAM) Catalogue by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a prominent which promotes research and analysis by disseminating microdata sets thus maximizing their value for evidence-based decision making. This platform enhances data credibility and transparency by hosting and sharing information.
The Food and Agriculture Microdata (FAM) Catalogue compiles datasets from farm and household surveys, covering agriculture, forests, food security, and nutrition. FAM is a comprehensive resource that includes microdata collected directly by FAO or with FAO support. It either publishes microdata on the platform or for microdata already in the public domain. The FAM catalogue disseminates the metadata and relevant documentation of the study (in line with relevant international standards) and redirects users to the platform hosting the microdata. FAM serves as a one-stop shop for users to access forest related microdata. This includes forest inventory data collection which are vital for understanding forest dynamics, tracking forest health, and informing policies related to sustainable forest management. Submissions are welcome from organizations with relevant data.
The FAM catalog contains so far 1532 surveys from different fields with over 577 000 variables, 188 countries (November 2025). The Forest Inventory Data collection contains country studies, such as Bangladesh, Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Guatemala, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Mexico, Mongolia, Nepal, Peru, Thailand and Uganda.
Informed policymaking largely relies on data and information accessibility to potential users. Transparent and reliable information supports forest monitoring processes in countries. Data and analysis need to be technically sound and credible while their interpretation needs to be respective of associated uncertainties. The FAM Catalogue ensures accessibility, credibility and transparency for decision making.
Access to transparent forest data has yielded tangible benefits, transforming forestry practices and decision-making processes worldwide. Here are some benefits and suggestions, with real world examples, to maximize the use of forest microdata:
Transparent and Accessible Forest Data for Informed Decision Making:
Forest microdata offers forest-related information which is publicly accessible and transparent. It offers stakeholders access to the type of forest resource data, which aids forest planning, biodiversity monitoring, and informs policies such as sustainable forest management practices. It also encourages research and innovation for better forest management.
Project Development Support and Funding Opportunities:
Making countries’ forest data transparent and accessible through the platform allows countries to formulate and develop better projects which foster donor confidence and attract potential funding opportunities.
Maximize Visibility of Forest Data to Ensure Return of Investment:
Forest data is often very complex, time consuming, laborious and costly to collect. Its processing and estimation are also very technical and demanding. To maximize the returns on this huge investment requires widespread dissemination and greater transparency from data owners. The provision of well documented open access microdata through the FAM catalog will foster the credibility of data producing institutions.
Enhanced Sustainability and Reduced Risk of Data Loss:
Data preservation and sustainability are major benefits of this data platform. The chances of data loss over time which occur with the use of traditional archiving systems are significantly reduced. By providing access to comprehensive forest inventory data, the platform ensures data integrity and long-term preservation, as well as increasing transparency and access.
Identification of Data Gaps and Scope for Development:
Identification of missing information and techniques needed to fill them is a major benefit of hosting data in a microdata platform and increasing transparency of its methods. It helps countries focus capacity development, on areas lacking information.
Resource Optimization and Cost Reduction:
Dissemination of microdata allows for additional analysis of data and derives new insights by users not only by data producers. By making existing forest related data sets widely visible and accessible, the need for multiple data collection is minimized, saving time and resources, which ultimately improves efficiency of forest practices.
Collaboration among Different Entities:
Collaborative efforts from various sources, including governments, non-governmental organizations, media and individuals, facilitate the monitoring and protection of forests globally. Data sharing can help increase recognition and prominence for both data users and producers.
National and International Reporting Needs and Data Credibility:
Transparent forest data is key to national and international reporting needs. Accessible data enables transparent validation and verification which reinforces the reliability of the reported information.
Country case studies: The FAM catalogue’s role in enhancing data dissemination and transparency
Uganda
The National Biomass Study (2016-2019) of Uganda, hosted in the FAM Catalogue, notably exemplifies the benefits of data sharing on collaboration, transparency and dissemination. This platform has attracted users from various countries, underscoring its international appeal. The users represent diverse groups, including United Nations agencies, NGOs, commercial companies, academia and intergovernmental organizations, therefore evidencing the platform's ability to cater to a wide range of interests and needs. The landscape of users for this study contains the following highlights:
- 32 unique users indicate the platform's reach and user engagement capability;
- 16 different countries represent the global interest in Uganda's biomass data; and
- 6 user groups demonstrate Uganda’s data versatility across various sectors.
The most common uses of this data are for establishing baseline, research, resource mobilization, biomass and carbon estimation, wildlife and forest conservation, policy formation, forest classification, land-use and land cover change, resilience and sustainability assessment, inventory design and forest management. This data usage has led to diverse outputs, including revised forest policy, project formulation, land-use map preparation, biomass and carbon stock mapping, scientific journal publications and the development of national level estimates, among others. Such outputs demonstrate how the FAM Catalogue not only facilitates access to critical data, but also fosters a rich environment for diverse applications that entail collaboration, transparency and robustness.