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Statistical Capacity Development

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One of the key missions of FAO is to support member countries develop the capacity of their statistical systems and enable them to collect, analyze, disseminate and use relevant, reliable and timely data. By strengthening countries’ capacity in this area, FAO contributes to make available key analytical and decision-making support tools for national, regional and global evidence-based actions.

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How can national governments request capacity development assistance?

National governments should discuss on an ongoing basis their statistical capacity development needs and priorities directly with their FAO country office. These needs and priorities will usually be reflected in the Country programming framework (CPF) and support will be planned in consultation with the relevant technical units and regional or sub-regional statisticians. If assistance requests are raised, the FAO country office will contact the relevant technical divisions and regional or sub-regional statisticians to analyze how the support can be provided.

FAO statistical capacity development activities are funded through:

- Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP)

- Regular programme funds allocated to technical divisions

- Extra-budgetary programmes that support statistical development.

For specific information and inquiries on FAO capacity development programmes, national governments are also encouraged to contact these programmes directly. 

Statistical capacity development programmes

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Use of Earth Observation Data (FAO-EOSTAT)

Launched in 2019, FAO’s EOSTAT project uses next generation Earth observation tools to produce land cover and land use statistics. Initially deployed in Senegal and Uganda, then expanded to 21 countries, the innovative approach supported by FAO’s Data Lab relies on free of charge Earth observation data, vegetation and climate modelling, as well as field survey data to build countries’ capacity to produce seasonal crop type maps, annual land cover maps that are standardized, accurate, granular and validated. FAO, under the leadership of the Chief Statistician, has developed a training programme to assist countries in using EOSTAT.

Support can be provided through regional and national-level capacity development activities in the following areas:

  • Production of annual national land cover maps using FAO’s newly developed methodology (2020).
  • Extraction of statistics from the land cover map at both national and subnational levels.
  • Dissemination of geospatial products and statistics using web GIS technology.
    • Related capacity development resources
  • Use of Earth Observation Data (FAO-EOSTAT) 
  • FAO-EOSTAT Project Training
  • FAO Webinar Series: Earth observation data for agricultural statistics (08/03/2023 - 10/05/2023)
  • Series of tools and resources for countries on the use of earth observation data for agricultural statistics:
    • If you are interested in organizing a training in your country, FAO can arrange it on-site and/or online. Please send your request to the Chief Statistician ([email protected]) and to Lorenzo de Simone, Project Lead ([email protected]).