In response to a growing demand for high-quality and internationally-comparable statistics, FAO develops, implements and promotes methods and standards to guide national data producers in generating and using sound statistics. In particular, the Organization is committed to provide national statistical systems with internationally recognized definitions, concepts and classifications as well as methodological guidance for the production of high quality statistics related to food and agriculture.
This interface allows you to search for statistical classifications, guidelines and handbooks, technical reports, working papers and methodological documents, and capacity development resources. You can search by SUBJECT (general, agriculture, forestry, fishery and aquaculture, and natural resources) or use the ADVANCED SEARCH to search by keyword, country, language and lead authoring unit/office. Comments, suggestions and inquiries can be addressed to: [email protected].
You can access here all the statistical guidelines and handbooks, technical reports, working papers and methodological documents, and capacity development resources.
Type a keyword in the free text search box or refine your search by keyword, country, language and lead authoring unit/office.
Comments, suggestions and inquiries can be addressed to: [email protected].
Abstract: This FAO Statistics working paper presents a new methodological approach aimed at measuring progress towards sustainable agriculture in countries and across agri-food systems typologies, by measuring socio-economic and environmental dimensions with available national statistics, with sixteen indicators defined and constructed from FAOSTAT data. A trend analysis is carried out at country level over the time series 1961-2018, with country results aggregated by four agri-food systems typologies: traditional; land-intensive and capital-intensive mixed systems; and modern food systems. The analysis provides a novel framework for the analysis of progress in achieving sustainable agriculture by country and agri-food system type, that can be implemented effectively and allows for exploring solutions across development pathways.
Lead authoring unit/office: Statistics Division (ESS)
Abstract: This document is part of the FAO Statistics working paper series and part of the series of operational guidelines of the FAO Survey Team providing practical cost effective orientations to countries on agricultural surveys from the conception and implementation to data dissemination. The present document is focused on operational clarifications on the definitions of agricultural holdings and operational guidance for establishing lists of agricultural holdings for agricultural surveys.
Lead authoring unit/office: Statistics Division (ESS)
Abstract: FAO Statistics Working Paper 21/22 is part of the methodological works of the FAO’s Survey Team to provide operational guidance on selected areas of agricultural survey methodology with an overall objective to promote cost effective practices in agricultural surveys implementation.
Lead authoring unit/office: Statistics Division (ESS)
Abstract: This document reflects the latest reference metadata information available on SDG-indicator 2.5.1.b "Number of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in medium or long term conservation facilities". Last updated: March 2021.
Lead authoring unit/office: FAO
Abstract: Applying the Degree of Urbanisation — A methodological manual to define cities, towns and rural areas for international comparisons has been produced in close collaboration by six organisations — the European Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and The World Bank. The manual is intended to complement and not replace the definitions used by national statistical offices (NSOs) and ministries. It has been designed principally as a guide for data producers, suppliers and statisticians so that they have the necessary information to implement the methodology and ensure coherency within their data collections. It may also be of interest to users of subnational statistics so they may better understand, interpret and use official subnational statistics for taking informed decisions and policymaking. See also: GHSL - Global Human Settlement Layer and elearning course "The Degree of Urbanisation" from the EU Academy.
Lead authoring unit/office: FAO
Abstract: This book aims to strengthen the skills of professionals who use, manage data for the benefit of farmers and farmers organizations by exposing them to the topics of importance of data in the agriculture value chain and how new and existing technologies, products and services can leverage farm level and global data to improve yield, reduce loss, add value and increase profitability and resilience.
Lead authoring unit/office: FAO
Abstract: These guidelines illustrate recommendations for good practices on data collection in Eastern European inland fisheries, and in particular the Western Balkan region, based on the methodologies and approaches used in countries throughout Europe and from FAO experience of inland fisheries in other regions. They provide guidance on the options available to inland fishery managers based on particular circumstances i.e. commercial fishing or recreational use, and they are especially relevant for assisting the economies-in transition in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia. These guidelines are not an overarching work on inland fisheries management, nor do they provide advice on the environmental aspects or competing uses of inland water bodies. They focus on issues of data collection to support fishery managers whether they be government agencies, fishers or angler associations co-responsible for the management of inland resources in European rivers and lakes.
Lead authoring unit/office: Fisheries Division (NFI)
Abstract: In 2021, FAO delivered training aimed at building capacity for the use of Earth Observations data and machine learning to produce annual national land cover maps and to extract land cover statistics.
Lead authoring unit/office: Office of Chief Statistician (OCS)
Abstract: This document reflects the latest reference metadata information available on SDG-indicator 2.5.1.a "Number of palnt genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in medium or long term conservation facilities". Last updated: March 2021.
Lead authoring unit/office: FAO
Abstract: The Discussion Paper "Accounting livestock water productivity: How and why?" is the result of a renewed collaboration between the Land and Water Division and the Animal Production and Health Division of FAO. It presents the results of a review of livestock water productivity studies conducted to identify best practices in specific contexts and, highlight opportunities which increase consistency in methodologies on water productivity further. While the paper reveals opportunities for methodology development, it also discovers that the water productivity approach presents key opportunities to shape strategies for sustainable water management and nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices at producer level. As such, these strategies have major co-benefits with climate and can bring hand-in-hand policies on food security and climate change.
Lead authoring unit/office: Land and Water Division (NSL)
