National workshop on MSF and hand-on training  in Zambia

Under the framework of the Global Strategy to Improve Agriculture and Rural Statistics (GSARS), Zambia held a national workshop on training on Master Sampling Frame (MSF) from the 12th to the 16th of December 2022.

This workshop covered two important activities of the MSF package: discussions on the type and structures of the MSF for the country and hands-on training on the development and use of an area frame using FAO's System for Earth Observation Data Access, Processing, and Analysis for Land Monitoring (SEPAL).

The decision on the type and structures of the MSF for the country requires discussions and agreement among the national institutions involved in the production of agricultural statistics. The ultimate objective is to agree on a frame that would be suitable for various agricultural surveys existing and/or planned in the country. In Zambia, the discussions resulted in a list of ten 10 surveys.

Participants have been trained on how to use SEPAL tool to contribute to developing aerial sampling frame and agricultural area estimation. A field data collection using CAPI of CSPro has been implemented for validation of land cover maps produced with SEPAL. A presentation of the overall process of the CAPI design, data collection practice and synchronization has been done.

The plots visited were part of experimental field of Zambia Agriculture Research Institute (ZARI) not very far from Lusaka.

Overall, the training went well. The active participation of trainees (10 people including 4 women) was one of the positive aspects. The field test made it possible to have GIS data on a dozen plots as well as photos of crops on field. The evaluation at the end showed a good satisfaction from trainee. Most of them find useful the training for their current work.