change, food security, biodiversity, investment in agriculture, agricultural trade, ... UNFPA United Nations Population Fund. UNSC. United Nations Statistical Commission ...... high resolution satellite imagery in a process sometimes referred to as ..... Thousand tonnes. 1434. 1390.8. 1413. Goat milk. Thousand tonnes. 113.
TCP/INT/3401 Panorama Report I
PROJECT TCP/INT/3401 “ Support for the Implementation and Development of the CountrySTAT Framework in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Countries (Pilot Country Afghanistan)”
PANORAMA REPORT I
AFGHANISTAN
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Kabul, February 2013
TCP/INT/3401 Panorama Report I
PROJECT TCP/INT/3401 “ Support for the Implementation and Development of the CountrySTAT Framework in the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Countries (Pilot Country Afghanistan)”
AFGHANISTAN PANORAMA REPORT I Prepared by
Najibullah HASSANZOY National Consultants in Information System and Agricultural Statistics
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS Kabul, February 2013
ABOUT THE REPORT
The First Panorama Report of Afghanistan is an investigation of the current situation of the National Statistical System with special reference to Food and Agriculture Statistics System of the country. The report provides an exhaustive scrutiny of the Agriculture & Food Statistics System in order to inform decision making of policy makers. The Report is prepared for FAO/ CountrySTAT so as to successfully
implement
framework in Afghanistan.
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its
statistical
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS My mission of preparing the First Panorama Report of Afghanistan could not be completed without the assistance of different individuals and organizations. I express words of thanks and appreciation to the National Coordinator of CountrySTAT, Mr. Abdul Munir, for providing due support in the course of preparing this report. I am thankful to the CountrySTAT Statistician, Ms. Angela Piersante, for her technical advices during the preparation of the report. I express my profound gratitude and thanks to the Director of DSMI/ MAIL, Mr. Ghulam Rabani Haqiqatpal, for his persistent efforts and due support in completion of this report. Many thanks are due to the Head of Economic Statistics of CSO, Mr. Azizullah Faqiri, for his untiring assistance in the course of undertaking this study. I express words of thanks and appreciation to the various individuals, agencies and organizations that somehow assisted me in documenting this investigation. Hope this study will prove useful to all those working for the improvement of agricultural & food statistics system in the country. The contents of this investigation will also be quite valuable to those teaching and studying in the universities across the country.
Najibullah HASSANZOY National Consultant for Information System and Agricultural Statistics
Kabul-Afghanistan Dated: February 11, 2013
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Statistical information has been crucial for evidence-based decision making, planning and managing the process of development in any country, Afghanistan being no exception. The statistical system of the country underwent several changes over the past four decades or so. Emerged as a small statistics office in the realm of the Ministry of Planning, it has become the National Statistics Organization of Afghanistan. The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) has been recognized as the only independent governmental agency responsible for the collection, analysis, compilation, and dissemination of the official statistics on various domains and indicators. Notwithstanding, it also supervises and coordinates the statistical activities of other governmental and non-governmental organizations throughout the country. The CSO has been badly affected by the decades of warfare and conflicts. It is faced with serious human resource, equipments & office materials, physical and budget constraints, especially at the provincial level. As CSO undertook very limited statistical activities in the past, major part of the population is not well-aware of the purpose of CSO and its relation with data collection. The statistical system in the country does not have the capacity to respond effectively to the growing demand from policy makers, planners, investors and international organizations. The agricultural statistics system in Afghanistan is faced with many challenges in the face of increasing demand for agriculture and food statistics from various users at different levels. Furthermore, the data needs are becoming complex and extensive in this 21st century. The current agricultural statistics system is deficient to meet the minimum requirements of agricultural statistics. In addition to the traditional domains of production, area, and yield; there is growing need for information to guide policy concerning the environment, climate change, food security, biodiversity, investment in agriculture, agricultural trade, land use, water, etc. at various levels. Under-investment in agricultural statistics system and lack of separate strategy, policy and plan for the improvement of agricultural statistics implies that not enough attention has been devoted to this important element of agricultural development in the country. Agricultural development planning, policy making and management require, inter alia, reliable and timely statistical data and information. This calls for a well-established, competent, comprehensive and dynamic agricultural & food information system. Such a system must be able to timely meet the national, regional and international demand for Page 5 of 111
agricultural & food statistics. At present, agricultural statistics are mainly collected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and the Central Statistics Organization (CSO) with the assistance of development partners such as FAO. The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) is the only directorate within MAIL and entire government of Afghanistan that is merely dedicated to the collection, compilation and dissemination of agricultural statistics. Agricultural data, mainly administrative data, are collected as per demand of different major Directorates of MAIL without considering the requirements of clients and stakeholders. Administrative reporting system is in place and very little survey work is done with the assistance of partner projects based in MAIL. The Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information (DSMI) is lacking the capacity to design and implement agricultural survey/census. MAIL has to invest in enhancing the capacity of DSMI through learning by doing approach and trainings.
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LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ACPB
Agricultural Commodity Price Bulletin
AECB
Agricultural Exportable Commodity Bulletin
ANDS
Afghanistan National Development Strategy
ANSP
Afghanistan National Statistical Plan
APCAS
Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics
APR
Agriculture Prospects Report
BCR
Benefit-Cost Ratio
CBP
Capacity Building Plan
CPI
Consumer Price Index
CPS
Central Product Classification
CSO
Central Statistics Organization
DAIL
Department of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
DSMI
FAO
Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information Food, Agriculture, & Animal Husbandry Information Management and Policy Unit Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FoC
Friends of the Chair Group
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
GIS
Geographical Information System
HS
Harmonized System for imports and exports
ICT
Information and Communication Technology
ISCO
International Standard Classification for Occupation
ISIC
International Standard Industrial Classification
IT
Information Technology
LCCS
Land Cover Classification System
MAIL
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
MDGs
Millennium Development Goals
MICS
Multi – Indicator Cluster Survey
MIS
Management Information System
MPHS
Multi-Purpose Household Survey
NADF
National Agricultural Development Framework
FAAHM
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NCC
National Census Committee
NGOs
Non Governmental Organizations
NRVA
National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
NSC
National Statistical Committee
NSDS
National Strategies for Development of Statistics
NSO
National Statistics Organization
OECD
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
PPS
Probability Proportional to Size
SAS
SMP
Statistical Analysis System Strengthening Agricultural, Economic, and Market Information and Statistical Services Statistical Master Plan
SPSS
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
ToT
Terms of Trade
UN
United Nations
UNFPA
United Nations Population Fund
UNSC
United Nations Statistical Commission
USDA
United States Department of Agriculture
USGS
United States Geological Survey
VFU
Veterinary Field Unit
WFP
World Food Program
SEAMIS
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Title
Page
PANORAMA REPORT I ..................................................................................................................... 1 PANORAMA REPORT I ..................................................................................................................... 2 ABOUT THE REPORT........................................................................................................................ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................................................................................... 4 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 5 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ................................................................................................................. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ 9 1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 14 1.1. Afghanistan and its Agriculture Sector .......................................................................................... 14 1.2. Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics ...................................................... 15 1.2.1.
Overview ............................................................................................................................... 15
1.2.2.
The Need for a Global Strategy ............................................................................................ 16
1.2.3.
Purpose of the Global Strategy ............................................................................................. 16
1.2.4. Key Components of the Global Strategy ................................................................................... 17 1.3. The CountrySTAT .......................................................................................................................... 17 1.3.1. Vision of CountrySTAT ............................................................................................................ 18 1.3.2. Mission of CountrySTAT .......................................................................................................... 18 1.3.3. Principal Aims of CountrySTAT ............................................................................................... 18 1.3.4. Five Advantages of CountrySTAT ............................................................................................ 19 1.4. Methodology Adopted .................................................................................................................... 19 1.5. Limitations of the Study ................................................................................................................. 19 2. T HE NATIONAL S TATISTICS SYSTEM .............................................................................................. 21 2.1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 21 2.2. Legal Framework and Statistical Advisory Bodies ........................................................................ 23 1) To collect, compile, analyze and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic, environmental and general activities and condition of the people; ................................................................................................................................................... 23
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2) To collaborate with Ministries and administrations of the State in the collection, compilation and publication of statistical information, including statistics derived from the activities thereof; ............ 23 3) To carry out population censuses and statistical surveys; .............................................................. 23 4) To prevent duplication in the information collected by Ministries and governmental administrations or by agencies other than the State; ............................................................................. 23 5) To promote and develop integrated social and economic statistics throughout the country, and to coordinate unified plans for the integration thereof; ............................................................................. 23 6) To develop and prescribe appropriate classifications and standards for use by line Ministries and other administrations of the State; ........................................................................................................ 24 7) To progressively develop and maintain appropriate databases containing statistical information, and to facilitate access to the database to all users, except for confidential information as provided for in this law; and ...................................................................................................................................... 24 8) To decide on the manner in which data for statistical purposes are collected, how they are compiled and when and how statistics are published............................................................................ 24 2.3. Structure of the National Statistical System ................................................................................... 25 2.4. National Strategy for Development of Statistics ............................................................................ 26 3. REFERENCE SITUATIONS FOR THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE S TATISTICS SYSTEM ................... 29 3.1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 29 3.2. Legal Framework and Food & Agriculture Statistics Advisory Bodies ......................................... 30 3.3. Structure of the Food and Agriculture Statistics System ................................................................ 31 3.4. Major Responsibilities of DSMI .................................................................................................... 33 3.5. Management Information System Unit/MAIL ............................................................................... 33 3.5.1. Vision Statement ....................................................................................................................... 34 3.5.2. Objectives .................................................................................................................................. 34 3.5.3. Organization Structure............................................................................................................... 35 A) Data Management........................................................................................................................... 35 B) Provincial Coordination ................................................................................................................. 35 C) Application development................................................................................................................ 35 3.6. National Strategy for Food and Agriculture Statistics.................................................................... 36 3.7. Human Resource Available ............................................................................................................ 36 3.8. Non-Human Resource Available .................................................................................................... 37 Page 10 of 111
3.9. Data Dissemination Policy ............................................................................................................. 38 3.10. Modalities of User-Producer Dialogue ...................................................................................... 38 3.11. Existing Databases and Data Dissemination Tools and Platforms ............................................ 39 3.12. Regional Integration and International Technical Assistance Received ................................... 39 4. OUTPUTS, DATA SOURCES , AND METADATA OF THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE STATISTICS .... 41 4.1. Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 41 4.2. Domains/ Indicators and Data Sources........................................................................................... 41 4.2.1. Land Use Statistics .................................................................................................................... 43 4.2.2. Area, Production and Yield Statistics ........................................................................................ 44 4.2.3. Livestock Statistics .................................................................................................................... 44 4.2.4. Agricultural Cooperatives ......................................................................................................... 44 4.2.5. Plant Protection & Vaccines Production ................................................................................... 45 4.2.6. Gross Domestic Agricultural Product, Exports and Imports ..................................................... 45 4.3. Publications of DSMI ..................................................................................................................... 45 4.3.1. Agricultural Prospects Report ................................................................................................... 45 4.3.2. Agricultural Commodity Price Bulletin .................................................................................... 46 4.3.3. Agricultural Exportable Commodity Bulletin ........................................................................... 46 4.3.4. The Afghanistan Agrometeorological Bulletin ......................................................................... 47 4.4. Agricultural Census and Surveys ................................................................................................... 47 4.4.1. Overview ................................................................................................................................... 47 4.4.2. MAIL, Farm Management Household Survey, 2012 ................................................................ 48 A) Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 48 B) Objectives ....................................................................................................................................... 48 C) Methodology .................................................................................................................................. 49 1) Selection of Study Area .................................................................................................................. 49 2) Sample Size .................................................................................................................................... 49 3) Questionnaire Preparation, Pre-testing, Finalization and Printing ................................................. 50 4) Preparation of Survey Plan ............................................................................................................. 50 5) Recruitment of Enumerators........................................................................................................... 51 Page 11 of 111
6) Training of Enumerators................................................................................................................. 51 7) Methods of Data Collection............................................................................................................ 51 8) Organization and Supervision of Survey ........................................................................................ 52 9) Data Processing and Analysis ........................................................................................................ 52 4.4.3. FAO Livestock Census, 2003 .................................................................................................... 53 A) Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 53 B) Organization and Planning ............................................................................................................. 54 C) Recruitment and Training ............................................................................................................... 55 D) Data Collection ............................................................................................................................... 56 E) Data Entry and Checking................................................................................................................ 57 F) Data Analysis ................................................................................................................................. 57 4.4.4. FAO, Survey of the Horticulture Sector .................................................................................... 58 A) Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 58 B) Survey Methodology ...................................................................................................................... 58 Phase I ................................................................................................................................................... 59 Phase I (a) ............................................................................................................................................. 59 Organization and Management ............................................................................................................. 59 Phase I (b) ............................................................................................................................................. 59 Organization and Management ............................................................................................................. 59 Phase II ................................................................................................................................................. 60 Organization and Management ............................................................................................................. 60 Phase III ................................................................................................................................................ 60 Organization and Management ............................................................................................................. 60 Data Collection Tools ........................................................................................................................... 61 Methods of Data Analysis ..................................................................................................................... 61 4.4.5. FAO Irrigation Survey ............................................................................................................... 61 4.4.6. MAIL 2002-03 Winter Agricultural Survey .............................................................................. 61 4.4.7. MAIL 2002-03 and 2008 Cost of Production Survey ............................................................... 61 4.4.8. MAIL Provincial Survey ........................................................................................................... 61 Page 12 of 111
4.5. Other Sources of Agricultural Statistics ......................................................................................... 62 4.5.1. National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment ............................................................................ 62 4.5.2. FAO, Afghanistan 2003 and 2010 Land Cover Map ................................................................. 62 4.5.3. CSO Consumer Price Index....................................................................................................... 64 4.5.4. World Food Program Food Prices ............................................................................................. 65 4.5.5. CSO Population Estimates ........................................................................................................ 65 4.6. Challenges Ahead of Agricultural Statistics System ...................................................................... 65 4.7. Description of National/ Sub-National Commodities Codes System ............................................. 68 4.8. National Classification/Nomenclatures & Links to International Classifications .......................... 68 5. OVERVIEW OF USER NEEDS FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE S TATISTICS IN AFGHANISTAN ....... 69 6. EXPECTATIONS FROM COUNTRYSTAT AND S TRATEGIES WITH ON -GOING INITIATIVES IN AFGHANISTAN ...................................................................................................................................... 71 7. IMPORTANT F ACTORS FOR THE SUCCESS OF COUNTRYSTAT PROJECT IN AFGHANISTAN ......... 72 8. CONCLUDING REMARKS .................................................................................................................. 73 9. BIBLIOGRAPHIES ......................................................................................................................... 74 10. ANNEXES ..................................................................................................................................... 76
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1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. Afghanistan and its Agriculture Sector Afghanistan is a land locked and mountainous country in Southern Asia. It has an area of 652230 sq km and a population of about 26.5 million of which 19.1 million (72.1%) lives in rural areas (CSO, 2011-12). The territory that now forms Afghanistan has been an ancient focal point of the Silk Road and human migration. As over the centuries waves of migrating peoples passed through the region, it is described as roundabout of the ancient world. Afghanistan’s history, internal political development, foreign relations, and very existence as an independent country have largely been dominated by its geographic location at the crossroads of Central, West, and South Asia. The climate of Afghanistan is generally arid to semiarid, with cold winters and dry summers. The lowland plains in the south of Afghanistan experience extreme seasonal variations in temperature, with average summer temperatures exceeding 33°C and mean winter temperatures of around 10°C. Annual rainfall ranges from 100 mm to 400 mm. The accumulated winter snow on the high mountains sustains agriculture, and enriches the rivers as well as fountains. However, the country has no large ecological zones. Every valley is different from its neighbors and most of the regions are composed of a number of small areas with their own micro-climates. The economy of Afghanistan is dominated to a greater extent by agriculture and related activities. It employs about 59% of total labor force and constitutes about 27% of gross domestic product (GDP) valued at market prices, 2011-12. The major export items of the country during 2011-12 were dried fruits (31%), carpets (13%), medicinal plants (12%), animal skin (4%), fresh fruits (2%) and others (38%). This clearly demonstrates the importance of agriculture sector in the national economy and export earnings. In addition, agriculture sector is crucial for ensuring food security, improving livelihoods and alleviation of poverty in the country. The subsistence agriculture in the country is characterized by low productivity, low farm incomes, low marketed surplus, disguised and seasonal unemployment, and all other concomitant features of traditional agriculture. Cereal production (about 77% in 2012), mainly wheat (about 79% in 2012) dominates the sector followed by fruits and vegetables. A large variety of crops are grown in its different parts and the country is known as the natural Page 14 of 111
green house because each valley has a distinct micro climate which gives the country comparative advantage to produce certain agricultural products throughout the year. Farming profession is mostly supplemented by raising livestock, off-farm and out-farm jobs for the land holding is small and cannot generate enough income to sustain livelihood of farm families. Agricultural production is mainly comprised of small production units (farms) scattered across the country and is highly dependent on irrigation water. 1.2. Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics 1.2.1. Overview The United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC) initiated the effort to develop a Global Strategy in order to improve Agricultural Statistics at its 39th Session in 2008 with the establishment of an international working group. A draft report providing a framework to develop the strategy was prepared and discussed at a meeting of experts and stakeholders held in Washington in October 2008. This meeting was attended by top managers of national statistical offices and ministries of agriculture from 27 countries and representatives of international organizations such as FAO, the World Bank, IMF, EUROSTAT and OECD. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the United Kingdom Department for International Development were also represented. The UNSC recognized the current unsatisfactory situation of agricultural statistics and the essential role of agricultural and rural statistics for policymaking. The UNSC recommended the development of a global strategy to improve agricultural statistics in order to meet the increasing demand for information at both national and international levels and established a working group of national and international representatives, called ‘Friends of the Chair Group (FoC)’, to steer the process. FAO was requested to lead this international effort serving as secretariat of the FoC Group of the UNSC in collaboration with UNSC. The intergovernmental process for the adoption of the Global Strategy led by the UNSC and involving primarily heads of national statistical offices is complemented by a parallel intergovernmental process guided by FAO governing bodies and involving representatives of ministries of agriculture, given their important role in the compilation of agricultural statistics.
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1.2.2. The Need for a Global Strategy The independent External Evaluation of FAO stated that “the time has come for a total reexamination of the statistical needs for the 21st century and how they can be met.” This was followed by an independent Evaluation of FAO’s Role and Work in Statistics which concluded that there was an urgent need to improve the capacity to produce agricultural statistics at the country level, which had steadily declined since the 1980s as had the resources made available to agricultural statistics by both countries and development partners. The two evaluations found that many countries were not meeting the minimum requirements for agricultural statistics. The evaluations also pointed to a growing need for information to guide policy concerning the environment, climate change, food security, biodiversity, investment in agriculture, and water and land use. These are issues that go beyond national boundaries yet are of crucial importance in terms of agricultural policy at national level. The increasing demand for alternative uses of agricultural products, such as bio-fuels, is also raising policy issues that require information that is simply not available, especially in the developing countries. The fact that there is lack of sound information in support of agricultural development and food security policy formulation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation and increasing demands and needs for agricultural statistics, have also revealed the major weakness and deficiencies of the current system of agricultural statistics in most countries. One major issue identified, is the lack of coordination between national statistical offices and ministries of agriculture with the result that National Strategies of Development of Statistics (NSDS), in general, do not properly cover agricultural statistics. This highlights the urgent needs for a new conceptual framework to provide the guiding principles and foundation for integrating agricultural statistics into the national statistical system. 1.2.3. Purpose of the Global Strategy The purpose of the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics is to provide a vision for national and international statistical systems to produce the basic statistical information in support of policy and decision making, as it relates to the agricultural sector, required for the 21st century. Its immediate goals are:
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i. Countries will agree upon a minimum set of core agricultural data and will pledge to provide such a minimum core data set annually to meet the current and emerging needs of policy and decision making, markets and trade, and investment. ii. Agriculture will be integrated into the national statistical systems in order to meet policy maker and other data user expectations that the data will be comparable across countries and overtime. iii. The integration will be achieved by an agreed upon conceptual framework as a foundation and an establishment of innovative methodological systems and solutions to build the national statistical infrastructure. The achievement of these goals will require a renewed commitment by countries to strengthen their food and agricultural statistics through capacity building. The Global Strategy will also have a catalytic effect in mobilizing external resources, as it will provide at international level a commonly agreed approach towards the long term goal of establishment of a sound agricultural statistics system. 1.2.4. Key Components of the Global Strategy The key components of the Global Strategy include the following: I. Identification of data requirements and of a new conceptual framework; II. Identification of a minimum core data set; III. Integration of agricultural statistics into the national statistical system through better institutional coordination; IV. Adoption of new methodological tools to facilitate the integration: master sampling frame, integrated survey framework and integrated database; and V. Development of a global program of statistical capacity building. 1.3. The CountrySTAT CountrySTAT is a web-based information technology system for food and agriculture statistics at the national and sub-national levels. In practice, it acts as a one stop center which centralizes and integrates the data coming from various sources and harmonizes it according to international standards while ensuring data quality and reliability. This supports analysis, informed policy-making and monitoring the goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger. Through national and regional CountrySTAT projects, FAO forms partnerships with statistical offices and the ministries of agriculture, fisheries and forestry, among others, to Page 17 of 111
introduce the system and build the national capacity to use it. In each country, the national government makes a substantial contribution to ensure its deployment and continued training and maintenance. 1.3.1. Vision of CountrySTAT Accessible, high-quality, nationally owned statistics on food and agriculture; supporting the worldwide drive to reduce extreme poverty and hunger. The longer-term objective for CountrySTAT is to achieve global coverage. CountrySTAT is currently seeking additional partners and donors to help reach its full potential, serving countries on all continents and creating a reliable source of international data on food and agriculture. 1.3.2. Mission of CountrySTAT The mission of CountrySTAT is to build up an effective program for handling interconnected statistical information and visual indicators on food and agriculture at subnational, national and international levels, for analysis and evidence-based policy making. In practice, it acts as a one stop center which centralizes and integrates the data coming from various sources and allows harmonizing it according to international standards while ensuring data quality and reliability. 1.3.3. Principal Aims of CountrySTAT The basic aims of CountrySTAT are listed below: 1. Support country expertise by providing the methodology, classification and coding system that allows them to collect, standardize and harmonize data coming from various local sources, thus improving data quality and facilitating data reconciliation. 2. Promote partnerships between various statistical institutions within countries, including national statistical offices and other statistical authorities – establishing a one-stop centre for accessing existing food and agriculture statistics in the country. 3. Assist countries in integrating and organizing national data to make them comparable at the international level. 4. Facilitate the analysis of data for supply utilization accounts and food balance sheets, in order to obtain more derived indicators relevant to nutrition, food and agriculture.
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5. Implement a program that facilitates electronic data collection from countries, reducing the burden on these countries in completing numerous questionnaires. 6. Develop a statistical information system containing data and metadata relevant to food and agricultural policy. 7. Help countries disseminate data through communication and information tools at national and subnational levels. 1.3.4. Five Advantages of CountrySTAT The major five advantages of CountrySTAT are as follow: i.
It provides a sound basis for policy decisions in food and agriculture.
ii.
It groups existing national statistical systems under one umbrella.
iii.
It organizes even complex data in seconds.
iv.
It is internet based.
v.
It has already been tested and refined by many advanced countries.
1.4. Methodology Adopted A work plan was prepared for the study and the various relevant sources of information were identified. Internet sources were also consulted for related information on the subject. A combination of methods was used in the present study. These methods include: Desk review of the publications of different related organizations; Discussion and consultation with the responsible authorities of DSMI and CSO; and Collection of information through short questionnaires in some special cases. The study was reviewed by the Director of DSMI (Mr. Ghulam Rabani Haqiqatpal), CountrySTAT Coordinator (Mr. Abdul Munir), Director of Economic Statistics of CSO (Mr. Azizullah Faqiri), and CountrySTAT Statistician (Ms. Angela Piersante), and benefitted from the valuable inputs provided by the reviewers. 1.5. Limitations of the Study Paucity of literature on the subject and shorter time period specified for the study somehow acted as limiting factors. Furthermore, some of the survey reports were not in hand, and low rate of cooperation in providing the necessary information from various stakeholders of
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agricultural & food statistics in the country. However, efforts were made to minimize the effects of these hindrances on the quality of the present study.
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2. THE NATIONAL STATISTICS SYSTEM 2.1. Overview Statistical information has been crucial for evidence-based decision making, planning and managing the process of development in any country, Afghanistan being no exception. The statistical system of the country underwent several changes over the past four decades or so. Prior to 1973 there were few statistical cells in various ministries and agencies throughout the government of Afghanistan with no legal basis for coordinating the activities of those statistical units. Statistics were viewed as mere compilation of whatever is available rather than as estimation of a true total or average. However, there was a small statistics office in the Ministry of Planning (today Ministry of Economy). The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) of Afghanistan also known as National Statistics Organization (NSO) was established afterwards in 1973. It was declared as an independent body by presidential decree in March 2006. At the beginning, CSO was made responsible for the collection, analysis and dissemination of secondary data – largely administrative data provided by the line ministries. Later on, it assumed the task of compiling key statistical series such as national accounts, consumer price index (CPI), population and demographic data. It also took on the role of coordinating the statistical activities of all agencies across the government. The central statistics organization had accomplished some limited surveys within Kabul, and was involved in the preparation of various national plans with the ministry of planning. The CSO collected and analyzed data based on the implementation of the plans both at the central and provincial level. After the Soviet takeover in 1979, the emphasis shifted towards collecting data on agriculture, transport, communication, internal movement of food and non-food items across the country. Two aspects of the statistical system merit special mention: (i) the statistical system was largely patterned on the Soviet statistical structure; emphasizing a compartmentalized and top-down approach, and (ii) the concepts and methods underlined complete reporting utilizing Marxist economic concepts. Provincial units of CSO were gradually established started in 1973 and completed in 1978. The provincial units of CSO were mainly responsible for collecting administrative data from the provincial departments of various ministries and the provincial governments. With the outbreaks of civil war in 1980s, statistical activities in the provinces became impossible and work in the provincial statistical units largely collapsed. Eventually, in mid 1980s the provincial Page 21 of 111
statistical units were closed. The central statistics organization (CSO), however, stopped working in 1992. With the takeover of Taliban no attention was devoted to rebuild and restore the CSO. As a result of more than two decades of war and turmoil, CSO like any other governmental institution of the country endured huge loses and destructions. There has been a complete loss of statistical base, institutional memories, documents and files in CSO as well as in the line ministries. Most of its experienced and skilled staff either left the service or migrated or were the casualties of the prolonged conflict in the country. As a result, the Central Statistics Organization is faced with serious human resource, equipments and office materials, physical, and budget constraints more so at the provincial level. The CSO is short of skills in all grounds. The number of staff may be more than adequate, it is the needs for specialized skills is such area as sampling, information technology (IT), survey specialists, management skills in running surveys and persons with analytical abilities that are in short supply. However, with the end of the civil war and constitution of the new government in 2001, reconstruction and rehabilitation of various governmental institutions including CSO has been started by the government and its development partners. The statistical system in the country does not have the capacity to respond effectively to the growing demand from policy makers, planners, investors and international organizations such as International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank. This calls for strong commitments and efforts on the part of government, international community and private sector to invest in building a reliable, dynamic, comprehensive and synchronized statistical system. As CSO undertook very limited statistical activities in the past, major part of the population is not well-aware of the purpose of CSO and its relation with data collection. Various governmental and non-governmental agencies did collect and disseminate data in the past without proper coordination with CSO. Hence, CSO plans to avoid such uncoordinated statistical activities and discharge its responsibility as stipulated in the Statistics Law of the country. Among the early data collection activities of CSO are the Household Listing during 2003-05; the Pilot Census in 2007 for Afghanistan Population and Housing Census; Price Survey; Survey on Accessibility of Persons with Disability to Housing with two or more Storey in Kabul City, 2006; Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey Page 22 of 111
(2002 and 2003); and the National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (2003, 2005, and 2007). CSO intends to focus on strengthening statistical system in the country and undertake a number of censuses and surveys such as Afghanistan Population and Housing Census, Census of Agriculture, Household Income and Expenditure Survey; Labor Fore Survey; Demographic and Health Survey; and so on. 2.2. Legal Framework and Statistical Advisory Bodies The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) prepared and passed a new Statistics Law in 26 Articles and 7 Chapters in July, 2006 which was published in the official gazette. The Article II of this law states that: the Central Statistics Organization shall function as an independent governmental administration for the purpose of creating an integrated scientific system for statistics, ensuring harmonization and coordination of all statistical activities in the nation. This article of the Statistics Law gives CSO the authority to act as an independent public institution to build a strong, responsive, and capable statistical system as well as to synchronize and coordinate all types of statistical activities in the country. The Central Statistics Organization is functioning with a vision to meet all the data needs of the development processes and government of the country. Towards realizing its vision statement, CSO’s mission is to develop a vibrant, responsive, efficient and affective statistical system in the country. The Article VIII of Statistics Law has authorized CSO to discharge the following duties and responsibilities: 1) To collect, compile, analyze and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic, environmental and general activities and condition of the people; 2) To collaborate with Ministries and administrations of the State in the collection, compilation and publication of statistical information, including statistics derived from the activities thereof; 3) To carry out population censuses and statistical surveys; 4) To prevent duplication in the information collected by Ministries and governmental administrations or by agencies other than the State; 5) To promote and develop integrated social and economic statistics throughout the country, and to coordinate unified plans for the integration thereof; Page 23 of 111
6) To develop and prescribe appropriate classifications and standards for use by line Ministries and other administrations of the State; 7) To progressively develop and maintain appropriate databases containing statistical information, and to facilitate access to the database to all users, except for confidential information as provided for in this law; and 8) To decide on the manner in which data for statistical purposes are collected, how they are compiled and when and how statistics are published. As regards the statistical advisory bodies, Article V of the Statistics Law prescribes the National Statistical Committee (NSC). The first component of Article V states that: there shall be established a National Statistical Committee to ensure better regulation of statistical activities in the country, and to advise the CSO and other ministries and state administrations on statistical work plans, which shall be composed of ten members as follows: a. The vice-president of Afghanistan, as chairperson (currently the second vice president, H.E. M. Karim Khalili); b. Authorized representatives of the related ministries and state administrations, as members; c. Authorized representatives of the private entrepreneurs, as members; [and] d. Authorized representatives of academic authorities, as members. According to the second component of Article V of the Statistics Law, the members of the National Statistical Committee shall be appointed by the President of the State on the proposal of the General Director of CSO for a period of four years. The Director General of CSO also acts as the secretary of NSC. The third component further states that regular meetings of the NSC shall be convened at least twice per year. Extraordinary meetings shall be convened at the discretion of the chairperson or when proposed by one-third of the members. Article VI of the Statistics Law sets the following duties and authorities for the National Statistical Committee: 1) To comment on the annual report that the General Director of CSO submits to the government; the comments of the committee shall be included in the mentioned report. 2) To comment on the staffing and budget requirements of the CSO.
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3) To approve and review statistical classifications for the purpose of conforming and their general use by the CSO. 4) To advise the general director of CSO on any other statistical issues. 5) To coordinate and review the statistical work plans of other ministries and administrations of the government. 6) To set up sub committees and dedicated advisory groups, as needed. It should be noted that the Central Statistics Organization (CSO) also has a National Census Committee (NCC) which is temporarily set up to carry out the national census. It includes representatives from the ministries as well as from the private sector. 2.3. Structure of the National Statistical System The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) of Afghanistan has been recognized as the only independent governmental agency responsible for the collection, analysis, compilation, and dissemination of the official statistics on various domains and indicators. Notwithstanding, it also supervises and coordinates the statistical activities of other governmental and non-governmental organizations throughout the country. The CSO reports directly to the President and is advised by the National Statistics Committee and the National Census Committee (temporarily set up to carry out national population census). Both of these committees include representatives from ministries and from private sector. All organizations planning to conduct statistical research in Afghanistan are required by the law to coordinate their activities with the CSO. According to the Statistics Law of Afghanistan, CSO shall be headed by a General Director who shall be appointed in accordance with law to supervise the statistical activities at the national level. It further states that the CSO shall be comprised of central, provincial and local offices (Article VII). Hence, the present structure of CSO is subject to the above mentioned Article of the Statistics Law (see Annex 12). The CSO has about 800 staff, located at its headquarters in Kabul and at sub-offices in each of the 34 provinces. The provincial statistical offices are small compared to CSO’s headquarter in Kabul. The size of provincial statistical offices varies from province to province across the country depending upon the size of each province and concentration of economic activities. The CSO has standard data collection forms by which it collects administrative data from various ministries and private institutions. The Central Statistics Organization has four technical departments, namely, Census and Surveys, National Accounts, Economic Page 25 of 111
Statistics (it includes a separate section on agricultural statistics.), and Demography & Social Statistics with five supporting sections, namely, Finance & Administration Department, Provincial Supervision Department, Planning & Publications Department, the Director General Support Office and Internal Audit Office. CSO is further supported by the National Statistical Committee and National Census Committee. Each year, CSO produces the Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook, the Consumer Price Index Yearbook, the Afghanistan Trade Statistical Yearbook (a publication focused on foreign trade), and the Estimated Population of Afghanistan (with data on gender and rural-urban residence at the provincial and local levels). The CSO also publishes a quarterly volume on foreign trade statistics, the monthly consumer price index (CPI) and daily updates on CPI in Kabul and Jalalabad. In addition, CSO also have some nonperiodical publications such as various survey reports (National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment, Gender Statistics, Multiple Indicators Cluster Survey, Socio-Economic Survey, Survey of Economic Enterprises, etc.), key statistical indicators, etc. these publications are generally printed in Pashto, Dari and English. 2.4. National Strategy for Development of Statistics Following the decades of warfare and turmoil, a joint agency mission composed of the representatives from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the United Kingdom Department for International Development at the request of the Government of the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan, prepared a Statistical Master Plan (SMP) in 2004. The Statistical Master Plan was designed to serve some of the following purposes: 1) A planning tool to identify work program priorities; 2) The scope of institutional reforms to develop a sustainable statistical capacity based on organization changes and management process; 3) The adoption of a statistical law that emphasizes accountability and transparency; 4) Quantifying budgetary and other resource needs, including technical assistance from external sources; 5) Defining the role and responsibility of different stakeholders in the statistical system for data collection; and 6) Promoting more effective coordination among agencies.
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The SMP was supposed to provide agencies and donors, assisting with the Government in developing a viable statistical system, greater clarity about the aspirations of the Government and its priorities between competing statistical requirements. It also provides a framework for technical assistance and a basis for better coordination among donors within the context of the priorities established by the Government. The Statistical Master Plan identified the needed investments, the necessary institutional and managerial reforms to support core work program that has been identified as meeting the minimum needs of the nation implemented over a span of five years. It was designed to generate a sufficient quantum of data to meet priority needs and at the same time lay the foundations for creation of a sustainable statistical system over the medium term. The SMP suggested that in preparation of a strategic plan for the development of the statistical system of Afghanistan, special attention needs to be focused on institutional strengthening, the identification of core work program, and the estimation of the investments required, the technical assistance requirements to implement a coherent work plan and the elaboration of modalities for implementing the plan. Another Plan called Capacity Building Plan (CBP) or seven year plan was developed by CSO in 2008-09. The CBP was rather a costly wish list that was based largely on inputs from data users without adequate consideration for an overall approach and coherence. Previous efforts to develop statistical capacity on a wide front at CSO since 2001 have largely failed for various reasons, including attempts to do too much too quick and inattention to motivational issues. However, the Central Statistics Organization (CSO) prepared the first Afghanistan National Statistical Plan (ANSP) in consultation with government agencies and key statistics donors during 2010-11 with an objective to improve its capacity and seek donor support for this purpose. The ANSP considered the recommendations of the earlier Statistical Master Plan presented in 2004, but CBP being more recent it was considered more suitable as a starting point for ANSP. At present, it is especially critical for CSO to develop its statistical capacity for several reasons, including: 1) Expectations from the Afghanistan National Development Strategy (ANDS) 1 that requires a wide spectrum of data for monitoring progress towards its goals; 1
The ANDS was formulated in April 2008, and serves as the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP).
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2) Imminence of a national population census, which has led the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) to assess the capacity of CSO to conduct and analyze a census; 3) The decisions by donors to confide various national household surveys, hitherto taken by ad hoc, external agencies, to CSO, either all at once or in stages. These include the National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) and the MultiIndicator Cluster Survey (MICS). CSO has not conducted a national household survey, yet. In such a situation demand for data is both real and immanent. Facing these very real demands, CSO has to break down the vicious circle of non-performance. It is therefore believed that one of the main challenges facing CSO is learning by doing, with training playing an important but subsidiary role. Just like other statistical offices in developing countries, CSO has embarked on the preparation of its ANSP with the goal of coordinating development initiatives and donor activities. The ANSP is organized in two parts: Part I narrates the overall strategy, starting from what needs to be delivered to how to build statistical capacity to undertake the required activities and build a sustainable institution, and Part II provides for an Action Plan for 2010-2015, in the form of activity details, and annual costs for each item.
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3. REFERENCE
SITUATIONS
FOR
THE
FOOD
AND
AGRICULTURE
STATISTICS SYSTEM 3.1. Overview The economy of Afghanistan is dominated to a greater extent by agriculture and related activities. It employs about 59% of total labor force and constitutes about 27% of gross domestic product (GDP) valued at market prices, 2011-12. The major export items of the country during 2011-12 were dried fruits (31%), carpets (13%), medicinal plants (12%), animal skin (4%), fresh fruits (2%) and others (38%). This clearly demonstrates the importance of agriculture sector in the national economy and export earnings. In addition, agriculture sector is crucial for ensuring food security, improving livelihoods and alleviation of poverty in the country. The World Development Report (2008) has recognized agriculture as a vital development tool for achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), especially contributing to food security, raising incomes of the poor, facilitating economic transformation, and providing environmental services. This recognition has led to a renewal of the international community’s commitment to agriculture and has been amplified by a new urgency driven by a changing global context. Agricultural development planning, policy making and management require, inter alia, reliable and timely statistical data and information. This calls for a well-established, competent, comprehensive and dynamic agricultural & food information system. Such a system must be able to timely meet the national, regional and international demand for agricultural & food statistics. However, one of the serious challenges faced by agriculture sector of Afghanistan is lack of a reliable, comprehensive and dynamic system of agricultural & food statistics that could supply the necessary data to a variety of users at various levels. The last agricultural sample survey was conducted in 1967 by CSO. Some non-survey data existed in the next 17 years period that followed. From 1996 to 2002, no official agricultural statistics were collected or compiled in Afghanistan. Starting in 2003 some UN agencies, international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) collected agricultural data for their own use, but these were mainly on ad-hoc basis. The CSO, MAIL, and its partners in the field are jointly working to rehabilitate and improve agricultural statistics system of the country. The Central Statistics Organization (CSO)
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and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) are the two governmental institutions responsible for the collection, compilation and dissemination of agricultural & food statistics. CSO collects data on agriculture and livestock through the multipurpose household survey i.e. National Risk & Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA), and through collection of secondary data as a part of administrative data. MAIL is responsible for collection, compilation and dissemination of agricultural statistics through sector specific surveys and collection of official statistics. In the past, a small agricultural statistics office existed under the General Directorate of Planning within MAIL. Eventually, in 2005 this office was promoted to the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) under the General Directorate of Planning and Policy. It has no separate provincial and local offices. Presently, DSMI collects provincial agricultural statistics with the assistance of provincial Departments of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAILs). It also conducts agricultural survey with the help of FAAHM (an FAO funded project based in MAIL)2. MAIL also has a section of Management Information System (MIS) under the General Directorate of Planning and Policy. This section is going to be merged with DSMI during 2013. There is also a section in the Department of Economic Statistics of the Central Statistics Organization (CSO) which deals with agricultural statistics, it mainly collects and compiles administrative data collected from MAIL/ DSMI and provincial statistical offices. CSO plans to upgrade this section to a separate department in the near future and conduct agricultural surveys in coordination with MAIL. As CSO, the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) of MAIL is also confronted with major human resource, equipments & office materials, financial and physical constraints. Both MAIL and CSO lack government resources, skills, supervisory network, mobility and other facilities at the centre and in provinces/districts. Without such provisions maintaining quality, frequency, consistency, timeliness and reliability of agricultural data is just a distant dream. 3.2. Legal Framework and Food & Agriculture Statistics Advisory Bodies Afghanistan has no separate law that provides legal basis for the statistical activities related to agriculture & food. But, a general Statistics Law exists that provides legal framework for agricultural statistics collection, compilation and dissemination. Article III
2
The FAAHM project was completed on Jan 31 st, 2012 and its substitute will be Strengthening Agricultural, Economic, and Market Information and Statistical Services (SEAMIS) project.
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of the Statistics Law allows ministries, governmental organization & administrations, municipalities, mixed & private companies and citizens of the country to disseminate statistical data and information in collaboration with CSO. According to the provision of this Article of Statistics Law, agricultural statistics can be collected, compiled and disseminated by various governmental and non-governmental organizations in harmony with CSO, Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information of MAIL being no exception. The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) through its mandate as stipulated in Statistics Law is accountable for agricultural censuses (Article 16). It is also made responsible to collect, compile, analyze, and publish information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic, environmental and general activities, and condition of the people, and to collaborate with the ministries and administrations of the State in the collection, compilation and publication of statistical information, including statistics derived from the activities thereof (Article 8). The National Statistical Committee (NSC) as stipulated in the Statistics Law is a general committee/ advisory body, agricultural & food statistical activities being no exception. Although some joint meetings are held between MAIL, CSO and FAAHM project based in MAIL about agricultural statistics (at least twice a year) but there is no any specified national committee related to food & agriculture statistics in the country. 3.3. Structure of the Food and Agriculture Statistics System Decentralization is in place in agricultural data collection and processing. However, like in many countries in the world, a centralized system of control is operational for survey operation, staff supervision, data processing and publication. This is done in order to avoid duplication of efforts and the release of contradictory data from different sources. The structure of food and agricultural statistics system includes all the agencies that are involved in collection, compilation and dissemination of agricultural statistics. The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) and Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) are the two governmental institutions responsible for the collection, compilation and dissemination of agricultural & food statistics. CSO collects data on agriculture and livestock through the multipurpose household survey i.e. National Risk & Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA), and through collection of secondary data as a part of administrative data. It is also responsible for conducting agricultural censuses and
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surveys. MAIL is responsible for collection, compilation and dissemination of agricultural statistics through sector specific surveys and collection of official statistics. The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) of MAIL collects agricultural statistics and administrative data from other major directorates of MAIL such as Directorate of Agricultural Research, Directorate of Extension, Directorate of Agricultural Mechanization, Directorate of Plant Protection, Directorate of Natural Resources, Directorate of Agricultural Cooperatives, Directorate of Veterinary, etc. as well as from the provincial Departments of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAILs).
DSMI is the only directorate within MAIL and entire government of
Afghanistan that is merely dedicated to the collection, compilation and dissemination of agricultural statistics. Hence, its structure represents the food & agricultural statistics system of the country. DSMI has four sections, namely, Agricultural Statistics Officer, General Section of Management Information System (MIS), Section of Marketing Information, and Section of Statistics (see Annex 1). It has no separate provincial offices, but there are reference individuals/ partners in each province introduced by the provincial Departments of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAILs) who help in reporting the administrative data and agricultural statistics at province level. They are three employees in each province one in each of the three fields i.e. Statistics, Marketing Information, and Information Management System (MIS). Two-way communication with all provinces is also good, thanks to communication radios (Codan) installed in all of 34 provinces. MAIL plans to merge the Department of Management Information System (MIS) with the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information. Hence, the structure of DSMI will change accordingly (see Annex 28). In addition, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN-FAO) is involved in collection, analysis, compilation and dissemination of agricultural statistics through conducting surveys e.g. Livestock Census, Horticulture Survey and Irrigation Survey, land use mapping, and MAIL/FAAHM3 project that helps MAIL in developing the agricultural statistics and market information system. World Food Program of the United Nations (UN-WFP) provides data on weekly food prices in major cities. USGS Agromet Project based in MAIL collects agro-meteorological data (snow, rain), adverse weather condition, pasture and grazing conditions, crop data (wheat, maize, rice and
3
Food, Agriculture & Animal Husbandry Information Management and Policy Unit (FAAHM)
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barley), etc. (for the diagrammatic representation of the national agricultural statistics system in Afghanistan see Annex-26). 3.4. Major Responsibilities of DSMI The major responsibilities of DSMI are as follow: 1) Collection of statistical data on area, production and productivity (per hectare) of crops, and number and products of livestock; 2) Preparing yearly reports of the cereals production, consumption and requirement i.e. yearly balance sheet of cereals, of the country; 3) Collection of information on revenues, expenditures and activities of the governmental enterprises at the country level; 4) Collection of information regarding the implementation of development, economic and social plans of the line directorates of MAIL; 5) Collection of prices data of agricultural commodities at central and provincial level; 6) Collection of statistical information regarding exports of agricultural commodities; 7) Design and execution of preliminary agricultural surveys at the country level; 8) Analysis and integration of all of the collected statistical data; 9) Assisting in the preparation of the land cover report through satellite information and farm management; and 10) Dissemination of the compiled statistical data through MAIL’s website and design of various publications for the uses of various users within MAIL, universities, etc. 3.5. Management Information System Unit/MAIL To support information exchange and coordination between MAIL programs and activities, the need has risen to capture and analyze data generated by different projects and MAIL offices into one easily accessible and managed system. The Management Information System (MIS) unit is further needed to ensure the proper storage and evaluation of information and data; evaluate project performance, better manage projects, disclose information, inform and provide feedback to decision makers and other interested stakeholders. Taking into account the wide array of programs and activities being implemented in conjunction with the MAIL, performance tracking plays a crucial role at the management level. However, the task of tracking and maintaining performance related information of Page 33 of 111
different offices and projects would be practically impossible if carried out manually. As a result, it is considered necessary for the MAIL to establish a functional computerized MIS unit to facilitate the implementation of projects and activities and to conduct performance tracking on a continuous basis. 3.5.1. Vision Statement MIS vision for information in the Ministry is to create an information environment that is: Business-driven Knowledge-based Integrated Ever-present Reliable Transparent Secured and with known privacy boundaries 3.5.2. Objectives The main purpose of establishing an MIS unit is to provide information at various levels to decision makers of the MAIL, provide updated nationwide information about MAIL activities, ensure smooth implementation of project activities, monitor project implementation
progress
and
outputs/results,
learn
from
project
experience,
computerizing financial and administrative activities of MAIL and acquire long lasting sector data to assist in better planning and research for current and future activities. The underlying objectives of the MIS unit are as follow: Provide centralized, improved information to support MAIL and its stakeholders Standardized data dictionary, meaningful maps and reports Continued attention to improving data quality assurance Linking of non- special and geo-spatial data Provision of decision support for programs project planning using MIS and GIS MAIL programs/departments and MIS databases are electronically linked through web mapping and online reporting Improved data analysis , report generation and high level map outputs Page 34 of 111
Improved understanding of Ministry strategy and objectives, facilitation of centralized data maintenance Expanded MIS support to Provincial directorates Plan for the most effective allocation of resources 3.5.3. Organization Structure The MIS unit operates under the general guidance of the Policy and Planning Department of the MAIL. The unit headed up by a director and consists of three teams: 1) Data management, 2) Provincial Coordination, 3) application development. The unit has MIS staff in all 34 provinces of country, out of which 19 offices are already connected with the internet and 15 others are under connectivity by ICT Department of the ministry (see Annex 11). A) Data Management The data management team is responsible for development & implementation of data standards, developing validation rules, ensuring quality control, gathering reporting requirements (textual and graphical), developing report formats (textual and graphical) and dissemination of the reports to MAIL at center and provinces, and its stakeholders. B) Provincial Coordination The team is responsible to facilitate the technical support to provincial MIS units in the field of database, data management and GIS, communicating central queries and managing the MIS communication portal, and building MIS Provincial staff capacity in the field of MIS. C) Application development The activities of the team will be based on guidance of the data management and GIS team. The unit is responsible for developing a central data warehouse, online/offline databases, reporting applications, Linkage with GIS, as well as defining data integration methods and applications, systematic ways for quality controls. The team will also be responsible for generating geo-based graphical maps and graphical reports.
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3.6. National Strategy for Food and Agriculture Statistics Although, the Afghanistan National Statistical Plan (ANSP) takes into account agricultural surveys, there is yet no any separate national strategy or plan for the improvement of food and agricultural statistics system in the country. However, Change Management, Public Sector Development and Program Support is one of the four programs/ pillars of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) under the National Agricultural Development Framework (NADF). The third component of its VII sub-program is about MAIL Information System and Knowledge Management Entities. This component speaks about the importance of reliable databases and systematic coordinated data collection and analysis the lack of which continuously hampers the decision making in MAIL. The change management process is supposed to initiate the review of databases and if required support the creation of the baseline data in key agriculture areas and the knowledge and information management systems well be developed, tested and validated before it is permanently established within MAIL and its provincial departments (DAILs). The following areas, that require a strong information system, have been identified during the development of the above mentioned program: Gender disaggregated food security surveillance and agricultural production information to inform regular and emergency programming and targeting. Land and water resource mapping. Natural resource monitoring, namely, water, rangelands conditions and forest cover. Market information including market trends monitoring, market and value chain assessment. Input provision service. All the activities of DSMI are organized under the second and fourth program (Production & Productivity and Change Management) of MAIL in order to improve the agricultural information management system in the ministry. The lack of separate strategy, policy and plans for agricultural statistics implies that not enough attention has been devoted to this important element of agricultural development in the country. 3.7. Human Resource Available The Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information (DSMI) has 13 staff members with different levels of education and experience during 2012-13. The staff has their own
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jobs description i.e. duties and responsibilities (for information about the studying field, education level and experience of the staff members of DSMI see Annex-25). The educational background of DSMI employees revealed that majority of them are educated in the fields not related to statistics. Most of them lack the competence and skills to design and conduct agricultural surveys, analyze data, write technical reports, maintain databases and manage data quality. They are mainly involved in the collection and compilation of administrative data from other directorates of MAIL as well as from provincial departments of agriculture (DAILs). The data are mainly collected on the implementation of plans of various directorates of MAIL. At present, agricultural surveys are mainly conducted by FAAHM project based in MAIL. There are some focal points in MAIL’s provincial departments (DAILs) that report administrative and agricultural data from the 34 provinces of the country. These are mainly the staff of DAILs and are officially introduced by the Directors of DAILs to the MAIL/ DSMI. The number of employees may change once the Section of Management Information System (MIS) is merged with the Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information in the near future. Capacity building necessitates bringing about change in the knowledge, skills and attitude of the employees. The employees working at DSMI received training in the past and the leadership is committed to provide on job trainings to its staff in the future as well. The Afghanistan National Statistical Plan (ANSP) prepared by the CSO, strongly emphasizes on learning by doing approach with training playing an important but subsidiary role. The same approach, if followed, will be very useful for DSMI as well. CSO also plans to establish a Statistical Training Center wherein a number of CSO employees and that of other ministries involved in data collection will be trained by both local and international experts. 3.8. Non-Human Resource Available Keeping the current statistical activities and human resource of the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI), it has enough office materials & equipments and working space in its only central headquarter based in Kabul/MAIL. But, as the statistical activities of DSMI expand, which should, the present office materials & equipments and working space will not appropriate its needs.
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3.9. Data Dissemination Policy No specific agricultural data dissemination policy is available in the country. However, the Statistics Law (2006) has the provision for various agencies to disseminate data in coordination with CSO. The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) disseminates agricultural statistics in hard and soft forms to its various users provided that they are officially introduced by their corresponding agencies to DSMI/ MAIL. Broader dissemination of data is desirable. Among other means of data dissemination, internet can ensure the widest possible distribution of agricultural statistics. 3.10. Modalities of User-Producer Dialogue The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) has yet no specific modalities for user-producer dialogue. Agricultural data, mainly administrative data, are collected as per demand of different major Directorates of MAIL without considering the requirements of clients and stakeholders. The data are mainly collected based on the implementation of the plans of various directorates of MAIL. Users-Producers Forum is an important strategy for CSO to determine the data needs of various users as well as to involve them in the process of planning and execution of data collection efforts. Apart from the general Users-Producers Forum which was started by CSO in 2008, this consultation forum is being carried out during the preparatory activities for survey/ data collection. Frequent consultations are also being undertaken during the collection of data until the preparation of publications so that the different data needs are taken into account. Thus, users’ involvement actually starts from preliminary stage up to the publication of results. Task Force for different sectors has been created to facilitate such strategy. Among them were: the Task Force on Statistical System Development in Afghanistan, the Task Force on Gender, and the Task Force for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. Apart from this, CSO intends to conduct a series of trainings in different line agencies in order to ensure coordination and proper utilization of data. In addition to the traditional tri-media information campaign strategy, CSO will concentrate on community participation approach wherein coordination and assistance will be sought from the village heads, religious and influential people in the community. Another strategy is to employ provincial outreach officers in every province which will take care of statistical outreach activities such as talking to the village heads, influential people and local residents to ensure a promising information delivery campaign, and Page 38 of 111
understanding of people regarding the purpose of data collection (as the majority of population were not exposed to statistical data collection activities during the past three decades or so, and the literacy rate is very low in the country). 3.11. Existing Databases and Data Dissemination Tools and Platforms The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) has a database for agricultural statistics with small databases available for its each section. These databases are only meant for internal use of the DSMI. The data collected by DSMI are supplied to the CSO for publication in the Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook. Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & livestock (MAIL) also makes intensive use of the data in planning and evaluation of its various projects and programs. The data are also published in the form of bulletins and reports (Agricultural Prospectus Report, Price Bulletin, Exports Bulletin, and Agromet Bulletin) as well as online on the website of MAIL (http://mail.gov.af). Notwithstanding, the data are also send to different people whose emails are available in the register of DSMI, ministries, donors, embassies of different countries, Kabul University, libraries, etc. Wider dissemination of data is desired with well-defined levels of responsibilities at different levels. Efforts have been made to have wider outreach of data. Main strategies in this respect are:
Government’s endorsement/ownership in all publications
Transparency in data sharing
Provide information in hard copy, using email, webpage hosting, etc.
Ensure two-way flow of information to/from the provinces
Post price bulletin boards in all provinces at 2-3 locations
Target for district/public outreach through radio and SMS
3.12. Regional Integration and International Technical Assistance Received The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) and Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) of MAIL became the members of Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS) in 2011. The Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS) is a statutory body of FAO. APCAS brings together senior statistics Officials from FAO member countries of the Asia and Pacific region who are responsible for the development of agricultural statistics in their respective countries. Page 39 of 111
They review the developments in their agricultural statistical systems since the last session (once in two years) and exchange ideas with experts from FAO and other organizations on the state of food and agricultural statistics in the continent. Its membership is open to all Member Nations of FAO and Associate Members whose territories are situated wholly or partly in the Asia and Pacific Region or who are responsible for the international relations of any non-self-governing territories in the Region. The biennial meetings of the Commission are organized to assess the current status of food and agricultural statistical development in member countries; inform the member countries about the FAO activities in food and agricultural statistics during the preceding biennium, particularly in Asia and the Pacific; and discuss new developments in agricultural statistics. The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) received technical/ financial assistance from Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Government of Japan.
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4. OUTPUTS, DATA SOURCES,
AND
METADATA
OF THE
FOOD
AND
AGRICULTURE STATISTICS 4.1. Overview Agricultural statistics are mainly collected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) and the Central Statistics Organization (CSO) with the assistance of development partners such as FAO. The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information of MAIL is mainly involved in collecting administrative data from other Directorates of MAIL and provincial Departments of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAILs). Some data on crops, food, livestock, agricultural cooperatives, plant protection, animal health, etc. are reported to CSO which is then published in the Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook each year. DSMI also collects and publishes data on agricultural exports from the major customs of the country (Agricultural Exportable Commodity Bulletin). It also publishes Agriculture Prospects Report (APR) and Agricultural Commodity Price Bulletin (ACPB) with the assistance of FAAHM project since 2005. However, neither agricultural census nor any comprehensive agricultural survey has been conducted by the government since 1967. Hence, most of the current agricultural statistics are based on subjective estimation involving great deal of human bias. However, Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) implemented some agricultural surveys including a livestock census that serve as baseline for DSMI/ MAIL. 4.2. Domains/ Indicators and Data Sources The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) collects data and information on the following major areas: 1)
Area, production, and productivity per hectare of crops at the country as well as provincial level
2)
Production, consumption and requirements of cereal in the country (cereal balance sheet)
3)
Classification of agricultural land and its corresponding data
4)
The numbers of governmental ranches
5)
Livestock production
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6)
The number of governmental farms including its area, production and productivity
7)
Amount of fertilizers, seeds and pesticides distributed
8)
Revenues and expenditures of seed production enterprises
9)
Revenues and expenditures of fruits enterprises of Kandahar province, Silos of Kabul, Balkh and Polykhomri
10) Foundation year, initial capital, fixed capital, government subsidies and assets of governmental enterprises and silos 11) Forestry farms across the country 12) Forests protection, afforestation, new forest nursery, planting of trees and shrubs, and their distribution 13) Area and production of medicinal plants across the country 14) Assistance received from donors and international organizations and debts 15) Vaccine production by types 16) The number of livestock underwent treatment 17) Data related to planning and policy (development budget section) 18) Activities of line directorates 19) Activities of research farms related to Directorate of Research 20) The number of vehicles by type i.e. governmental or contract based 21) Operations of vehicles by type i.e. governmental or contract based 22) The number of agricultural mechanization stations 23) The number of equipments and operations of agricultural mechanization stations 24) Revenues from the certificates issues by the Directorate of Plant Protection 25) Plant protection activities i.e. pests, diseases, etc. in the field and silos 26) The number of agricultural cooperatives by active or inactive 27) Number of members, capital, share and agricultural land of the active cooperatives 28) Supply and sell of surplus product of agricultural cooperatives in internal and external markets 29) Supply and sell of Karakul Skin 30) Quantity of chemical fertilizers distributed, by type and province 31) Families of honeybees and honey production, by governmental farms 32) The number of livestock (cow, sheep and chicken) and their production in the governmental farms Page 42 of 111
33) The quantity of milk produced at the Guzarga Milk Distribution Unit 34) The total number of MAIL’s employees, by provinces 35) The total number of MAIL’s employees, by gender, type of job, education level, etc. 36) The amount of payments to MAIL’s employees, by wages, salaries, overwork, etc. at the central and provincial level 37) Weekly prices of six agricultural commodities at the country level 38) Monthly prices of 20 agricultural commodities at the country level 39) Fruits and vegetable prices, by country zones 40) Exports and imports of agricultural commodities 41) Wheat and flour prices in national and international markets Data on the above mentioned indicators mainly constitute administrative data reported to DSMI from various directorates of MAIL and its provincial departments (DAILs). Complete reporting system is in place and very little survey work is curried out with the help of FAAHM project and other partners. The Central Statistics Organization (CSO), through its standard forms, collects information and data from all major ministries and organizations, including MAIL, on their activities for publication in the Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook. The Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook contains data about different sectors of the economy [Area and Administrative Divisions of Afghanistan, Population Estimates, Education (including culture and media), Health, Environment, National Accounts, Agriculture, Industry, Inflation and Foreign Exchange, External Trade, Fiscal Statistics, and Donor Assistance]; agriculture sector is one of them. As regards agriculture sector, it provides data on the following domains: 4.2.1. Land Use Statistics Land use data are available for different categories of agricultural land in relation to total land. Classification of area under various uses needs careful attention as the data on area under various uses other than agriculture is just not available. Furthermore, the current classification of agricultural land is quite old, and its corresponding data cannot be used to investigate agricultural land management in the country (see Annex 2). The current agricultural data are estimated from figures of agricultural sample survey of 1967. From that day on, no agricultural census or comprehensive survey is carried out at the country level to update the data related to the agricultural sample survey of 1967. However, Page 43 of 111
figures related to area cultivated, irrigated land, rainfed land, fallow land, etc. are changed based on the subjective estimations involving great human bias. 4.2.2. Area, Production and Yield Statistics Data related to area, production and yield of various crops are available at national, provincial and zonal level. Production and area data are available for cereal (wheat, rice, barley, maize, millet, pulses & others), potato, sugar beet, sugarcane, nuts (almond, walnut, pistachios, other nuts), olive, fruits (orange, citrus fruit & others, apples, pears, apricots, peaches & nectarines, plums, stone fresh fruits & others, berries, grapes, watermelons, cantaloupes & melons, figs, others), oil seeds (sunflower seed, sesame seed, cotton seed, linseed, vegetables, medical seeds, and cotton. Yield data are available for cereals (wheat, rice, barley, maize, millet, pulses and others), potato, sugar beet, sugar cane, nuts (almond, walnut, pistachios and others), and olive are available, at the national level (see Annex 3, 4, 5 and 6). The cereal balance sheet is also prepared and published in the Statistical Yearbook (see Annex 10). Data related to area, production and yield of wheat, maize, barely and paddy are obtained through crop cut survey with the assistance of MAIL based FAAHM Project. Area, production and yield data of the rest of the crops are subjectively estimated by the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information in the light of the agricultural prospectus and circumstances of each province. 4.2.3. Livestock Statistics Data on the number of livestock by their types (cattle, sheep, goat, chicken, horses, asses, mule and camel), production of livestock by their types (total meat, milk, eggs, honey, etc.) and the number of livestock underwent treatment by their types (cows & buffalo, goats, sheep, horse, donkey & mule, domestic birds, dogs, cats, and camel) are available in the Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook, a CSO publication (see Annex 7, 8 and 9). The livestock statistics are mainly based on the livestock survey conducted by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in 2003. Some of these statistics are data reported by the respective directorate of MAIL based on the implementation of its annual plans. 4.2.4. Agricultural Cooperatives Data on various dimensions of agricultural cooperatives such as the number of agricultural cooperatives, number of active members of cooperatives, shares of members, Page 44 of 111
total land, selling of products in foreign markets, credit provision and distribution, chemical fertilizers distributed, etc. are available at national level with some indicators (the number of cooperatives, sales, shares, and area) at provincial level. The data on various dimensions of agricultural cooperatives are indeed administrative data reported by the Directorate of Agricultural Cooperatives Development of MAIL. 4.2.5. Plant Protection & Vaccines Production The Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook also contains data on plant protection activities (control campaign against plant diseases, pests, etc.) and vaccines produced for livestock diseases. These statistics are based on the implementation of the annual plans of corresponding Directorates of MAIL. 4.2.6. Gross Domestic Agricultural Product, Exports and Imports Share of Agriculture in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is available in current and constant prices, at disaggregated levels of cereals & others, fruits and livestock. The quantity and value of exports and imports of various agricultural and livestock products are available in the Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook. CSO compiles and maintain National Account Statistics on the regular basis. Export and import statistics are collected and compiled by CSO in collaboration with the custom offices using Harmonized System. 4.3. Publications of DSMI The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) of Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) also publishes agricultural statistics through its own publications described below. 4.3.1. Agricultural Prospects Report The Agricultural Prospects Report (APR) provides an assessment of the agriculture sector and it is published twice a year since 2005. APR is the primary source of data on current crop area in various provinces. The data is collected through crop-cut surveys and the primary sources of information for the report are provincial departments of agriculture (DAILs) and a large number of farmers in each province. Other sources of information have also been used extensively. These data are updated on an annual basis based on information provided by MAIL crop assessment missions, provincial crop reports,
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surveys (farmers’ interviews and crop cuts) and other secondary sources. APR provides information on the following indicators:
Area, Production, Requirement and Deficit of Cereal Crops, (see Annex 21-22)
Plant Protection (control campaign against major crop pests and diseases, etc.)
Livestock and Animal Health
On Farm Irrigation
Horticulture (Production Prospects of Horticultural Crops), (see Annex-23)
Natural Resources, (see Annex-24)
Research and Extension Activities
4.3.2. Agricultural Commodity Price Bulletin Agricultural Commodity Price Bulletin (ACPB) is being published by DSMI/MAIL since 2005. Price data are reported by the provincial staff of DAIL (market information officer, one in each province) on daily and weekly basis which are then aggregated as quarterly and monthly. Agricultural commodity monthly price bulletin which includes price data obtained from MAIL, CSO, WFP and International Grain Council, is the main source of information on agricultural commodity prices. ACPB contains information on the prices of various agricultural, and livestock products, consumer price index and the cost of agricultural inputs. It specifically provides data on the following indicators:
Consumer Price Index (CPI), (see Annex-16)
Supply and Price of Wheat (Domestic supply and price of wheat, regional supply and price of wheat, regional supply and price of wheat, global wheat trade, stock and price), (see Annex 13,14 and 17)
Border Market Prices, (see Annex-14)
Prices of Fruits and Vegetables, (see Annex-18)
Cost of Agricultural Inputs, (see Annex-19)
Price of Livestock Products, (see Annex-17)
4.3.3. Agricultural Exportable Commodity Bulletin Agricultural Exportable Commodity Bulletin (AECB) is a quarterly publication of the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information/ MAIL started in late 2011. It provides data on the quantity of agricultural commodities (including seeds) exported through the major customs of Afghanistan. MAIL has three employees in each of the 7 customs of the Page 46 of 111
country i.e. Hiratan, Speen Boldak, Islam Qala, Shirkhan, Aqeena, Torkham and Ghulam Jan. The last one is, however, not functional due to some security problems. These employees collect and report the data on exports of agricultural commodities to the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI). Although, the quantity of livestock products (including live animals) exported is also reported to MAIL/DSMI but such information are not part of the Agricultural Exportable Commodity Bulletin. 4.3.4. The Afghanistan Agrometeorological Bulletin The Agromet Project based in MAIL was started on 1st Jan, 2004. In addition to weekly reports, it prepares monthly and seasonal Agromet Bulletins based on Ground and Satellites observations (water balance model, rainfall probabilities and so on) with updated agrometeorological situation analysis, graphs, maps, etc. The monthly agromet bulletin is transmitted to key players in Dari and English Languages, and published online on MAIL website. Its 93 Issue of November 2012 contains information on the following aspects:
Crop Stage, Crop Condition, Crop Map and Adverse conditions
Rainfall Situation (Precipitation, Rainfall Graph and Rainy Days)
Snow fall Situation (Snow Depth November 2012)
Temperature (Average, Maximum and Minimum Temperatures)
All the above mentioned publications are also available online on the MAIL website (https://mail.gov.af). In addition to the above mentioned periodical publications of DSMI, it has also prepared Agricultural Profiles for all of the 34 provinces of the country, including an Agricultural Crop Calendar Master Book. 4.4. Agricultural Census and Surveys 4.4.1. Overview The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) through its mandate as stipulated in Statistics Law is responsible for agricultural censuses. The said law states that agricultural census should be undertaken every 10 years. However, due to almost three decades of war, the last agricultural sampling survey was carried out in 1967. CSO intends to conduct Census of Agriculture in the coming years. Conducting statistically sound surveys is desirable, but such surveys involve substantially higher investment in training of staff at Page 47 of 111
all levels, motivation of field staff, field equipment support, supervisory network and better mobility of trained staff. There is a lack of micro and macro level data in Afghanistan that the government needs for the development of agricultural projects, programs and policies. However, CSO and MAIL intends to collect such data through Agriculture Census and crop-cut surveys in the future. The crop-cut survey of MAIL is a very important data collection activity. The aim of crop cuts is to provide reliable estimated yield of wheat and paddy at the provincial level. Since 2008 MAIL has conducted annual crop-cut surveys of wheat. Besides crop-cuts, surveys on Cost of Production of wheat and paddy were also conducted in these provinces. These surveys are conducted by MAIL extension staff stationed in individual provinces/districts. This section is designed to review some of the surveys/ censuses conducted by MAIL and its partners. 4.4.2. MAIL, Farm Management Household Survey, 2012 A) Overview A Farm Management Household Survey was conducted by Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) of Afghanistan to know the existing farming system in the country. The primary focus of the survey was on farm productivity and constraints, and potentials. Other overriding objectives were to: (i) analyze the input uses, the productivity and the enterprise budgeting and potentials of the existing farming system in the country; (ii) understand and ascertain technology adoptions of the farmers; (iii) ascertain contribution of household food production to overall households food security; (iv) suggest policy options for enhancing farmer’s access to and use of modern technologies, and inputs and mobilization of outputs. In a nutshell, the efforts in the survey were geared towards collecting information needed for attainment of economic growth and food security. B) Objectives The main objectives of the farm management household survey were to know about the existing farm structure, land use patterns under temporary and perennial crops, pasture, irrigation sources, farming system, cropping pattern, input uses, utilization of labor and farm machineries, cost and returns of different farm enterprises, constraints and potentials of improving farm productivity, etc. in Afghanistan. The survey was also meant to Page 48 of 111
develop the capacity of MAIL in collection, processing, analysis and reporting of farm management economics data. Additional specific objectives were to:
Analyze input uses, productivity, enterprise budgets and potentials of existing farming systems in the selected provinces;
Understand technology adoptions of the farmers and contribution of food productions to households food security;
Suggest policy options for enhancing farmer’s access to and use of promising technologies, inputs and outputs markets for income growth and food security.
C) Methodology 1) Selection of Study Area At the first stage, 7 provinces were selected purposively to represent different types of farming system in Afghanistan. The selected provinces were Kabul, Herat, Nangrahar (Jalalabad), Parwan, Balkh (Mazar-e-Sharif), Kunduz and Bamyan. The farming systems identified in the selected provinces are: (i) cereals (wheat, rice, maize, barley) which are either irrigated or rainfed, (ii) vegetables, (iii) fruits and nuts (grapes, apples, apricot, almond, etc.), (iv) commercial crops (saffron, cotton) and (v) livestock and fishes. At the second stage, districts were selected from 7 provinces in consultations with the DAILs officials and FAO regional staff. The selection criteria were: Specific type of farming system in the districts: e.g. important crops (rice, wheat, barley, maize, pulses, vegetables, fruits, cotton, saffron, etc.), livestock and fishery Land type: irrigated and rainfed Communication with the province: nearness and good road connections with the province Security situation of the district 2) Sample Size The project stipulated to conduct a farm management household survey of 6000 sample. Therefore, a work plan was prepared to enumerate 6020 households, taking 860 samples from each of the 7 selected provinces.
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3) Questionnaire Preparation, Pre-testing, Finalization and Printing A structured questionnaire was prepared for interviewing the respondent households. The draft questionnaire and study design was shared with experts and modified after receiving their inputs. Also, another questionnaire was prepared for expert consultation on input uses and costing. A logical sequence was maintained throughout the questionnaire for having ease of the respondent and enumerators for interviewing and recording relevant information. The questionnaires were pre-tested in Herat before finalization and printing. Pre-testing facilitated to adapt the questionnaire to the local farming situation and understanding of the farmers. The questionnaire designed to collect relevant information on demography of farm households, ownership of different types of land, sources of irrigation, crop variety and area cultivated, production practices, sowing and harvesting period, input uses, yields of cereals, cash crops, vegetables, pulses, fruits and nuts. It also included some information on crop rotation, crop cycle of perennial trees, seasonal labor demand, labor shortage, management of weeds, pests, and risk of farm production, access to market, etc. Moreover, the questionnaire was designed to gather information on inventory of livestock, feeding practices and feed costs of dairy cow, production and disposal of milk, costs and productivity of aquaculture, household food consumption and food security, livelihoods and income, investment in farm equipments, assets, and human capital, participation in farmers’ association, changes in farm management practices and performances, access to training and credit, sources of information, farm management decision making and various constraints of farming. 4) Preparation of Survey Plan The survey was considered as a pioneer design in the case of Afghanistan. So, a great attention, effort and care were given to the capacity development of staffs of MAIL and FAO for managing survey. The survey plan was prepared in such a way that the surveyors, supervisor and staff could learn and acquire skill through the built in implementation process, namely, learning by doing. First it was piloted in one province for 90 days and later it was gradually rolled out in other selected provinces.
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5) Recruitment of Enumerators The surveyors were selected through competitive examinations of agriculture graduates of local universities/institutes of the respective provinces. They were recruited locally because locals have good knowledge on agriculture of their respective provinces where they studied and were familiar with the local systems and adapted well with the local language, village and culture of the respondents. Separate vacancy announcement were made for recruitment of enumerators in each selected provinces. Candidates were shortlisted, interviewed and selected separately in each province. The successful candidates were required to attend a training program on data collection procedures. 6) Training of Enumerators A three-days training program was organized for the enumerators and supervisors in each province. The training program was adapted locally to have greater exposures on practical field experiences of data collection and interview with the farmers. The training program was organized for the enumerators, supervisors, FAO regional staff and government counterparts. This training included class room training on how to motivate the farmers, how to interview them and how to fill-up the questionnaire accurately. Practical session of interviewing the farmers in the field was also organized. A training manual was also provided to each of the enumerator and supervisor. A total of 7 training programs were implemented and 77 staffs were trained. 7) Methods of Data Collection Six enumerators were appointed for data collection in each of the 7 selected provinces. In addition, the survey team included 1 CSO and 1 DAIL staff in each province. This gave MAIL greater access to the districts and villages. It also increased quality of data collected from the farmers. A field supervisor was also appointed in each province for daily supervision of the survey activities and feedbacks. A regional staff of FAO in each province was also engaged in local planning and overall supervision and follow-up of the survey works. The survey program was first piloted in Herat province. A three-days training program was organized for the enumerators and supervisors. This training program included class rooms training on collection of data and information for the survey. A training manual was also provided to each of the enumerator and supervisor. Page 51 of 111
The field survey was started just the next day, after the completion of the training of enumerators. After of three weeks of piloting of the survey program in Herat province, it was gradually started in other provinces. In addition to the household survey, data were also collected from experts working in the selecting provinces. Consultations were held with district agriculture officers of DAIL and with other experts of agencies/ projects working in the selected districts. The information collected through expert consultations includes inputs use, crop rotations, and costs of production of cereals, vegetables, commercial crops, fruits and nuts. 8) Organization and Supervision of Survey A survey team was formed in each province with enumerators and supervisors trained. The supervisor was given the responsibility of supervising the enumerators and cross checking the filled-in questionnaires. All the teams were coordinated and directed by the International Consultant—Farm Management Economist. In order to implement the survey a field plan was prepared in coordination with FAO field staff, DAIL and CSO staff of selected provinces and districts. Later on, data processors were appointed and trained during a 5-days training program. 9) Data Processing and Analysis The collected data were processed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). A database format was prepared in SPSS by the farm management consultant and was shared with others. It was a matrix of 6000×2025 (rows × columns). Some data elements in the questionnaire were already pre-coded to facilitate tabulation and further analysis. A number of dummy output tables were prepared with meaningful descriptive statistics of the study. A simple approach was used to analyze farm management information and data collected in the survey. A practical way to delineate farming system zones, was followed which provided representative farm type samples. This delineation enabled further examination of technological improvements and farm productivity in the region, in order to, identify constraints and potentials and to provide recommendations. The specific analytical techniques included analysis of:
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Input uses, costs and returns of production of food grains, vegetables, commercial crops, fruits and nuts by provinces.
Profitability of different farm enterprises (cereals, vegetables, orchards, etc.) by provinces and districts in terms of gross returns, gross margins and benefit-cost ratios (BCR).
Income of household from farm and off-farm sources.
The complete report of this farm management household survey entitled ‘Report on the Farm Management Survey in Afghanistan’ is submitted in Dec, 2012. 4.4.3. FAO Livestock Census, 2003 A) Overview In aftermath of war and devastating drought the number of livestock in Afghanistan was reported to be decreasing. Hence, upon the request of MAIL in early 2002, FAO planned and implemented a national livestock census. The census work was started in October 2002 and field work was completed by April 2003. Every village in the country was visited, with exception of Barmal District in Paktika Province because of insecurity, and part of Ghor Province because of lack of accessibility over the winter period. The census was conducted on two levels of intensity. Level-1 constituted the complete enumeration of all livestock numbers, including limited information on livestock demography and recent changes in livestock wealth. Level-2 covered detail information on animal husbandry, feed management and markets. In addition to the census, two separate surveys were administered. The first one addressed livestock production issues from the perspective of women, and the second specifically addressed Karakul sheep production as a livestock activity of historic significance. A team of 28 supervisors, 24 female surveyors and 821 enumerators were employed for data collection; 14 data entry personnel and 10 data checkers undertook data entry and proofing.
The data were
collected from 3,044,670 families in 53,214 communities across 36,724 villages. Total number of cattle in Afghanistan was found out to be 3.72 million, and there were 8.77 million sheep, 7.28 million goats, 1.59 million donkeys, 0.18 million camels, 0.14 million horses, 12.16 million chicken, 0.42 million ducks and 0.60 million turkeys.
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B) Organization and Planning An international Livestock Consultant developed the census and data analysis design and provided operational guidelines and training manuals. The census was conducted in two levels of intensity. Level-1 constituted the complete enumeration of all livestock numbers, including limited information on livestock demography and recent changes in livestock wealth. These data were collected at the community level with a community typically representing a mosque assembly within a village or town. Level-2 covered detailed information on animal husbandry, feed management and markets. In addition to the census, two separate surveys were implemented. One survey specifically addressed livestock production issues from perspective of women. This survey was administered by female enumerators. The second additional survey specifically addressed Karakul sheep production as a livestock activity of historical significance. Work plans were drawn up by early October, with the intention of completing data collection before livestock moved out of their winter quarters with the onset of spring weather. The start of work was divided so that provinces with predominantly mountainous areas would start earlier than lower altitude Province where winter would be less of a hindrance to movement of data collectors. Two levels of management were established. The Census Manager and an Assistant Manager based in Kabul were responsible for nation-wide management of activities. Supervisors, covering 2-3 provinces provide the second management level with Data Collectors (field staff) based in each district. A national database kept by the Afghanistan Information Management System (AIMS) with the UN provided a list of Provinces, districts and villages. Local names of each district were considered based on the answers obtained from the respondents. The Survey forms and training manuals were prepared in English and were translated into local languages i.e. Pashto and Dari. Training for supervisors was held in English, translated into local languages by an interpreter. Field staff training, provided by the supervisors, was held in local languages. It was estimated that each pre-2000 district would require an average of 4.5 man months (mm) of work to collect the Level-1 census data, giving a national total of 1500 mm.
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C) Recruitment and Training Twenty five supervisors were selected and trained by the Census Manager and his Assistant. Eleven persons came from the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry (now MAIL), ten from previous FAO projects, one from the Kabul University, one from an NGO and two from the private sector. Supervisor training, lasted three days covered the purposes of the survey, the use of Level-1 and level-2 forms, and organization and administration of Supervisor duties. During the course, the Level-1 and Level-2 forms were field-tested by the Supervisors in a nearby village. Supervisors also received guidance on organization and implementation of the training courses to be held in the provinces for the field staff. Pairs of supervisors were then allocated to cover 2-3 provinces, given a list of the suggested man months needed for data collection for each district. They were given the authority to vary the man months used for any one district, as long as the total man months remained within the limit for their group of provinces. The country was divided into higher and lower altitude provinces. Supervisors in higher altitude locations started work recruitment and training of field staff at the end of October. Selection and training in lower altitude areas started in late November. In the provinces the supervisors visited Provincial Departments to introduce themselves and inform the authorities of their activities. In some locations it was possible to have broadcast interviews on local radio stations to publicize the livestock census. In these areas, villages then knew of the census before the enumerators arrived. Data collectors were recruited by the supervisors at district level, from local people with knowledge of the area and of the livestock sector. These predominantly were veterinary staff, originally part of the Ministry of Agriculture, but recently in a private sector environment. Other suitable local persons were recruited in districts where no veterinary field unit existed. Training courses were organized by the supervisors at suitable locations around their group of provinces, with around 30 potential field staff attending each course. Attendance in a training course, and a demonstrable understanding of the proposed activities and duties was a requirement before contracts were offered to the field staff.
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D) Data Collection Field data were largely numeric. A record field remained blank where the respondents were unable to answer the question. All names and dates were recorded in local script, Dari or Pashto. It was decided to record ‘perceived’ names of the district in which the community understands itself to be located. Information was collected at the village level. However, it was believed that information on total animal numbers would be more reliable from groups of a limited number of respondents, and that it would be difficult to obtain reliable data from a single meeting in a large village. Therefore, during the planning period the collection unit was defined as a community group within a village. Community groups were based on mosque assemblies. A small village might have a single assembly whereas a large village would have several. Enumerators made two visits to each mosque assembly. On the first visit the reason for the census was explained to prevent any misconception over its potential tax raising implications, and an explanation was given of the data required. The Shura (council of elders) was requested to organize collection of information from village families by the return date of the enumerator. A second visit was made a few days later and information collected from a representative group from the mosque assembly. In addition, data were collected from all urban centers. Kabul city was treated as a separate Unit from Kabul province for data collection. One supervisor and 30 data collector were involved in the census of Kabul city. Enumerators visited local area representatives, who turned contacted street representatives to organize data collection. Kabul city data collectors were recruited from the Department of Animal Science and Veterinary Science in Kabul University. Field staffs in the provinces were mainly derived from the staff of Veterinary Field Units (VFU). The majority of VFU are independent entities although some are still formally in contract with NGOs. FAO received regular information about approximately 230 VFU but in some regions of Afghanistan these linkages were lacking. Letters of Agreement were prepared with two NGOs covering areas in selection of suitable field staff in those areas where they have links to VFU and where FAO was not represented. Visits were made by census management and supervisors to the field to oversee the work, and ensure data quality.
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Data collection was competed in all provinces by the end of March with the exception of Ghor province. During the winter and early spring the road access to Ghor is virtually impossible because of snow and mud. The main access road was only declared open by the Government on 13 April. The survey was undertaken in Ghor using large numbers of data collectors and completed by the end of April. Insecurity prevented data collection in only Barmal District of Paktika Province, adjacent to the Pakistan Border. E) Data Entry and Checking Ten data entry personnel were recruited in early February for training by the Survey Design and Analysis Consultant who visited Kabul again during mid February. Data were entered onto computer by two teams of five staff, on a tailored form to simplify transfer of information from paper to computer. Data were entered in duplicate, once by each team. Each team worked on data from one province each at a time with single operator. Data entry was completed by early June. Duplicate entry by different teams simplified the task of checking the accuracy of entry by crosschecking the two files relating to a single district. Differences were identified and then corrected by the original data form received from the field. Data checking and correction of the basic data set was completed by the end of July. In total more than 53000 records for Level-1 were entered by each team, each record containing 73 fields. Level-2 data comprised 1285 data records each containing 207 fields. The women survey produced 2508 records with 170 data fields each. The Karakul survey material consisted of 133 records with 63 data fields each. F) Data Analysis Data were analyzed using standard software for descriptive statistics and statistical analysis package SAS for analytical statistics. For total number of livestock, records without information about number of families were included. For all computed variables on family basis, all records with missing information about number of families within the community for which the data were enumerated were omitted. Due to many missing value cells for small stock numbers, it was decided on an individual record basis whether the missing entry was truly a missing value, or
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conversely, indicated zero. The criterion used was overall numbers of animals in the corresponding species. Where this decision was not possible, the record was eliminated. For all computed variables involving animal ratios, records containing zeroes for the numerator were eliminated. For records with missing values for the numerator variable, it was decided on an individual record basis if the missing entry denoted zero, or was truly a missing value. 4.4.4. FAO, Survey of the Horticulture Sector A) Overview A national horticulture sector survey on the state of Horticulture Sector in Afghanistan was conducted in spring 2003 by a team of 90 national technicians and 1 international survey coordinator in 1808 villages, 327 districts, and all 32 provinces (in that time), covering more than 99 percent of the representative horticulture areas (orchards, vineyards, nut plantations, and vegetables) in the country. Most of the information gathered in this survey refers to technical aspects such as the species grown, existing genetic resources, occurrence of calamities, irrigation and crop management which provides basic tools for strategic planning and for the development of medium to long term projects and programs. The results of the survey are used by MAIL as baseline data. These data are updated on the basis of current reporting from provincial offices. B) Survey Methodology The survey was conducted in three distinct phases according to the timeframe of the consultants’ missions, the project take off and the seasons. The onset of spring was ideal time to launch the large national survey of the horticulture sector in the selected villages. The selection of villages was for the national survey was made randomly, taking the most traditional areas of fruit production into consideration. Six to seven villages for each of the 329 districts were chosen for a total of about 1800 villages. The country was divided into seven regions (North: Faryab, Jawzjan, Saripul, Balkh; North-East: Baghlan Samangan, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan; West: Badghis, Hirat, Ghor, Farah, Nimroz; East-Central: Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa, Ghazni, Logar, Wardak, Bamyan; South-East: Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, Nuristan; South: Khost Paktya, Paktika; South-West: Zabul, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Helmand) in order to more efficiently Page 58 of 111
manage the implementation of the survey at the field level. This required seven teams composed of a Regional Coordinator and three field researchers for each of the 32 provinces surveyed. The survey was implemented in three phases as follows: Phase I Phase I (a) A national survey was conducted of all nucleus fruit nurseries, national research stations and private nurseries. Private nurseries were selected according to data gathered from previous FAO horticultural projects in Afghanistan. Organization and Management The survey was organized and launched by one international horticulture survey specialist and a national horticulture survey coordinator. Questionnaires were prepared and translated into Dari and Pashto languages. A team of regional field survey coordinators was established. Priority was given to the MAIL personnel when available. Coordination was established with FAO Area Managers to facilitate logistics and the placement of field researchers. Computers and adequate support were provided for data entry and analysis and communication facilities were procured. Phase I (b) A test survey was conducted of the horticulture sector in Kabul Province, Nangarhar Province, and Khost Province. It was conducted in at least five villages for each district in each province. A range between five to seven villages for each district was monitored by the survey. Organization and Management District level field researchers (9-11) were recruited and trained for about 10-20 days. Each appointed field researcher had to be familiar with the area to be surveyed. The FAO Area Mangers assisted in providing logistical support in the targeted areas. Page 59 of 111
The questionnaire translated in Dari and Pashto was tested in Kabul Province. In the district where private nurseries are present and still active, at least three villages of the five to seven villages monitored were chosen to be surveyed according to their vicinity to the private nurseries. Collection of data and information for the test and fruit nursery surveys was implemented in December 2002. Data entry and analysis of Phase-1 nursery survey results were conducted in January 2003. Following the results of the test survey questionnaires were reviewed. The National Horticultural Survey at the village level was then prepared and launched on February 2003. Phase II Results of Phase I (a) and Phase I (b) were analyzed. Organization and Management One international horticulture survey specialist and a national horticulture survey coordinator launched and supervised the National Horticulture Survey and finalized the baseline study (6 weeks). A team of regional field survey coordinators (8 nationals) was established. District level field researchers (87) were recruited and trained for 22 days; most of them were assigned to the province where they reside. The FAO Emergency Area Manager assisted in providing logistical support in the targeted areas. Phase III Data entry and analysis of results of the national horticulture survey (phase II) were completed. Organization and Management One international horticulture survey specialist finalized the Vaseline study (1 month); three to four clerks (3 months each) worked on data computerization and processing.
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Data Collection Tools The main data collection tools were the questionnaires and notebooks for the field researchers’ remarks. Methods of Data Analysis The data collected were entered in a Microsoft Access data base to facilitate further processing and analysis. The data entries were also checked and verified before processing for final analysis purposes. Microsoft Excel was also used for the database analysis. 4.4.5. FAO Irrigation Survey The survey covered all irrigation schemes in the country. The survey was completed in 2003-04 and the results are available for use. 4.4.6. MAIL 2002-03 Winter Agricultural Survey This probability sample survey covered about 5000 farms in 31 provinces and 104 districts. The results of this survey are available at the level of regions, agro-ecological zones and watersheds, but not at the provincial levels.
4.4.7. MAIL 2002-03 and 2008 Cost of Production Survey These surveys are non-statistical in nature, but still are probability sample surveys. They are very useful for MAIL’s policy and planning officials, especially for M&E framework. 4.4.8. MAIL Provincial Survey In 2006-07 MAIL implemented a sample survey to collect basic agricultural data from 18 provinces. Under this, pilot crop cuts surveys were conducted in a sample of four provinces4. The survey provided some provincial data on agriculture and its economy. Besides collecting crop data from sampled households, secondary data from the districts were also collected during the conduct of these surveys. The purpose was to prepare district profiles. Similar surveys were conducted in 12 provinces in 2008. In crop cuts surveys, a sample of rural villages were selected by Probability Proportional to Size (PPS) at the first stage, size of a village being the number of households in it. At the second
4
Kunduz, Herat, Kandahar and Jalalabad
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stage, in each of the sampled village, 2 fields with rainfed and irrigated wheat were selected for crop cuts in 2m x 2m plot (i.e. 4 fields per sampled village). 4.5. Other Sources of Agricultural Statistics 4.5.1. National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment The National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA) is an important source of data for agricultural sector. NRVA 2007-08 collected information on 16 items under livestock and 57 items under agriculture. However, the report contains information on (a) access to land (% of households having access to various types of land), (b) agricultural inputs, (c) livestock and (d) agricultural constraint. There is wealth of information available under NRVA related to agriculture and livestock and its relations with other sectors like assets and credit, migration, income, etc. which needs to be analyzed and made use of by the sector ministry and organizations. From 2010 onwards, the NRVA is being restructured as the Annual Multi-Purpose Household Survey (MPHS), which will be implemented solely by CSO. NRVAs will have two types of modules – the core module and the variable module. The core module will be canvassed every year but the variable module will cover different sectors every year depending upon the frequency of change in the information in different sectors. Agriculture and Livestock form part of both the core and variable modules. Some core information will be collected every year for both livestock and agriculture but extended questionnaires will be canvassed in specific years. The core and variable modules for livestock contain 4 and 13 questions respectively covering ownership of livestock, availability of animal feed concentrate, veterinary services, selling of livestock, etc. Similarly the core and variable modules for agriculture contain 34 and 42 questions respectively covering ownership of agricultural land, access to garden plots, irrigated land, crop information, agricultural inputs, etc. The extended module for agriculture was to be canvassed in 2011 and 2013 whereas the extended module for livestock was scheduled to be canvassed in 2010 and 2013. 4.5.2. FAO, Afghanistan 2003 and 2010 Land Cover Map The land use data used by MAIL are based on satellite imagery and its digitized outputs. They are of good quality but are obsolete and need to be updated. These all-purpose satellite maps with digital data on land use are updated under the aegis of an EU-funded Page 62 of 111
FAO project “Strengthening Agricultural Economics, Market Information and Statistics Services”. Work on the Afghanistan 2010 Land Cover Map initiated in early 2011 and completed in late 2012. The aim was to deliver reliable land cover database as a standardized and harmonized input to land use. The database shall also be used as one of the main inputs for the area frame based on FAO methodology for more reliable crop yield forecast and estimation. In generation of the Afghanistan 2010 Land Cover Database, SPOT 10 meter color satellite imagery was the selected basic satellite dataset for the image interpretation and land cover mapping. All imagery generated for the project was prepared by merging SPOT-4 20m 4-band multispectral data with the 10m panchromatic band. The average ground coverage of each 10m color scene was 60km×60km. Traditionally (up to the late 1990s), land cover mapping projects were mainly undertaken using a wide range of usually incompatible land cover definitions, classification systems, mapping methodologies and accuracy assessment procedure. Thus, the land cover information emanating from such projects could not be reliably compared with other land cover datasets at various levels. This necessitated the development of a globally acceptable methodology for undertaking land cover mapping, especially at the regional and country level. Hence, in the year 2000 FAO took up the challenge of developing such a land cover mapping methodology by proposing the use of the Land Cover Classification System (LCCS), designed for use with remotely sensed imagery from satellites. At the same time, FAO initiated development of modern image processing and analysis technique that would considerably speed up and facilitate the land cover mapping of large regions. However, the basic elements of the methodology adopted by FAO for undertaking large area land cover mapping are as follows: The utilization of appropriate remotely sensed satellite imagery complemented with aerial photographs whenever possible. A variety of satellite imagery with a wide range of ground resolutions and spectral characteristics catering to various land cover scales and levels is now available from international data suppliers. The utilization of the FAO designed and developed Land Cover Classification System (LCCS), which is a comprehensive classification system that not only meets the needs of all potential users by covering the full spectrum of land cover types, but is also flexible enough to allow mapping at different scales and levels
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and permits cross referencing. The tools and documentation necessary for effective utilization of this land cover system are freely available through the FAO. Undertaking interpretation of the satellite imagery, usually together with appropriate photo keys and other available ancillary data, using state-of-the-art image processing and analysis tools and techniques, designed and developed primarily at FAO. These software tools are freely available through the FAO. The implementation of appropriate field verification program or so-called ‘ground truthing’, for validation of the satellite image interpretations. In cases where the implementation of such programs is not possible, i.e. unacceptable health or security risks, validation is undertaken using recent aerial photographs and/or very high resolution satellite imagery in a process sometimes referred to as ‘enrichment’. Compilation of GIS-friendly land cover databases for use by the full spectrum of potential users and capable of providing variety of output products and statistics. Increasing access and utilization of land cover datasets by potential users through generation of internet based portals and affecting linkage to related global data networks such as the FAO/ UNEP Global Land Cover Network. 4.5.3. CSO Consumer Price Index CSO provides monthly Consumer Price Index (CPI) at the national level and six provinces (now being extended to 10 provinces). Compared to other price data, CPI produced by CSO is important both for decision makers and for officials that deal with production of national accounts. The CPI and its monthly movements are used as key targets for monetary and fiscal policy. They are also widely used for adjusting for inflation in business contracts, employees’ salaries and retirees’ pensions and other social benefits. However, due to its fixed basket of goods, the CPI is considered as an approximation of a cost-of-living index. The National and Kabul CPIs follow international recommendations with regard to the concepts, coverage, classifications and formula used. The national CPI is a weighted aggregate of the CPIs for Kabul, Herat, and Kandahar, Jalalabad, Mazar-e-Sharif and Khost cities. The city weights are the population totals for each city including surrounding provinces. With some modifications, the Kabul consumer basket with its commodity composition and weights has been used in the other cities for the aggregation Page 64 of 111
of items to expenditure groups and the overall index. The basket includes 202 important goods and Services, typically consumed by urban middle class and low-income households each item selected account for at least 0.1 percent of total household spending (equivalent to about 5 Afghanis per month). For each item, prices are collected from three shops located in the central markets or main shopping streets of each city. A total of about 600 monthly price quotations are obtained for each city and 3000 monthly price quotations are obtained for five major provinces. The Laspyres formula is used to calculate the CPIs. 4.5.4. World Food Program Food Prices A series of weekly food prices of various commodities in major cities are available from 1996. WFP publishes a monthly Afghanistan Market Price Bulletin based on market data from different sources and aims to alert on latest developments. Based on consumption patterns in Afghanistan, it includes data of wheat and wheat flour; Terms of Trade between daily casual labor wage and wheat (Kg) as well as ToT for one year live female sheep and wheat (Kg). Coverage is currently given to nine main cities. The bulletin is followed later in the month by a supplement containing additional data received during the month. This supplement includes wheat price from 34 provinces wheat flour price from seven border markets and Consumer Price Index for six main cities. 4.5.5. CSO Population Estimates The population estimates are available by district and by rural and urban population. The population census was scheduled to be conducted in 2011. The frame of province, district and villages are used in probability sample survey or other data collection activities undertaken by MAIL. 4.6. Challenges Ahead of Agricultural Statistics System The agricultural statistics system in Afghanistan is faced with many challenges in the face of increasing demand for agriculture and food statistics from various users at different levels. The data needs are becoming complex and extensive in this 21st century. The current agricultural statistics system is deficient to meet the minimum requirements of agricultural statistics. In addition to the traditional domains of production, area, and yield, there is growing need for information to guide policy concerning the environment, climate change, food security, biodiversity, investment in agriculture, agricultural trade, Page 65 of 111
land use, water, etc. at various levels. However, neither MAIL nor CSO paid enough attention to improve agricultural statistics system in the country. Agricultural statistics are poorly reflected in the Afghanistan National Statistical Plan (ANSP) and National Agricultural Development Framework (NADF). Under-investment in agricultural statistics system and lack of a specific strategy and policy for the development of agriculture & food statistics system contributed to the underdevelopment of the system in the country. Agricultural statistics are often characterized by unreliability, data gaps, over-aggregation, inaccuracies, mutual inconsistencies and lack of timely reporting. Administrative reporting system is in place and very litter survey work is done with the assistance of partner projects based in MAIL. The Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information (DSMI) is lacking the capacity to design and implement agricultural survey/census. MAIL has to invest in enhancing the capacity of DSMI through learning by doing approach and trainings. There is lack of a classification and commodity codes system of international standards that could integrate the agricultural statistics system to other international and regional systems, and allow for the comparison of agricultural data at various levels, as many problems today are affecting most of the countries in the world and call for global efforts. The various domains and indicators on which agricultural statistics are to be collected are not well-defined and the related metadata is not available. However, the ‘Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics’ is developed to provide a vision for national and international statistical system to produce the basic statistical information in support of policy and decision making, as it relates to the agriculture sector, required for the 21st century. For developing countries to improve their agricultural statistics systems, it is a good opportunity to implement this global strategy and integrate it to their national strategies of agricultural statistics. MAIL and CSO must undertake actions in this regards. Implementation of the CountrySTAT Framework5 is also expected to address some of the problems and improve the agricultural statistics system of the country.
5
CountrySTAT is a statistical framework to disseminate agricultural data at National and International
level. It is based on FAO data standard structure, concepts and definitions, to make data comparable.
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The employees of the Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information (DSMI)6 were asked to count the existing problems faced by DSMI. The following major problems are extracted from the replies provided: 1)
Lack of reliable and timely data on most of the crops and livestock. Except for some of cereal (wheat, maize, paddy and barley), no reliable data are available for the rest of crops. Data on horticultural crops are based on FAO Horticultural Survey of 2003, and Livestock data are based on FAO Livestock Census of 2003 which are not updated through any survey, since then. This in turn affects the efficiency of the programs and policies designed on the basis of unreliable data.
2)
As no population census is carried out since 1979, it is difficult to obtain an accurate estimate of the total quantity of cereals actually required for the domestic consumption. Furthermore, no recent country-wide survey is conducted to determine the per capita requirement of cereal, as the consumption pattern of the people is continuously changing.
3)
Insecurity in some parts of the country was regarded as a major hindrance to statistical activities such as agricultural survey/ census.
4)
No agricultural census or a comprehensive survey is carried out by the government since 1967 to have updated data on various domains and indicators.
5)
Absence of a well-established reporting system between DSMI and other Directorates of MAIL including provincial departments of agriculture (DAILs). Also, the statistical cells in the Directorates of MAIL and DAILs do not have adequate technical skills to collect and report agricultural data and information.
6)
The provincial offices are not well-connected to DSMI through internet in order to facilitate timely reporting of agricultural data from each province.
7)
Low capacity of DSMI staff to design and implement country-wide agricultural surveys/ census, and to analyze and report the results so derived.
8)
Unavailability of enough fund for conducting agricultural surveys/ census.
9)
Little or no use of advanced statistical packages in data processing and analysis.
10) Unawareness of the major proportion of people in rural areas about the importance of agricultural surveys/ census and the reliability of information they provide. This is partly due to the little statistical activities carried out by CSO in the past.
6
Head of the Department of Economic Statistics was also asked in this regards.
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11) During the past one decade or so, due to the distribution of assistance to the rural population including farmers, and that the enumerators employed by some organization in order to solicit information from the interviewees, promised assistance in return for the information provided (just to deceive them), a negative perception emerged among rural population with regards to survey. This could act as a hindrance in front of the implementation of agricultural census/ surveys. 4.7. Description of National/ Sub-National Commodities Codes System There is no any standard commodities codes system in place for agricultural commodities in the country. However, Harmonized System (HS2002) is operational for classification of the tradable commodities and International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC) codes system for classification of industrial commodities (see Annex 29). The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) plans to specify national codes for various commodities following the international standards. 4.8. National Classification/Nomenclatures & Links to International Classifications International agencies have promulgated various standard classifications for statistical use, and national statistical offices are expected to use these as frameworks for developing national classifications in their own language, with local examples. CSO has not yet begun to do this and now proposes to do so, beginning with the most-frequently used classifications:
The International Standard Industrial Classification (ISIC);
The Central Product Classification (CPC);
The Harmonized System (HS) for imports and exports; and
The International Standard Classification for Occupation (ISCO).
The present classification of land use, crops, and livestock and their products, etc. are not based on any standard classification system to make the data comparable at national, regional and international levels.
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5. OVERVIEW
OF
USER NEEDS
FOR
FOOD
AND
AGRICULTURE
STATISTICS IN AFGHANISTAN There is scarcity of studies in the literature that trace the user data needs for food & agriculture statistics in the country. Agricultural statistics are poorly reflected in the Afghanistan National Statistical Plan (ANSP) and National Agricultural Development Framework (NADF) of MAIL. Agricultural data, mainly administrative data, are collected as per demand of different major Directorates of MAIL without considering the requirements of clients and stakeholders. The data are mainly collected based on the implementation of the plans of various directorates of MAIL. It is not easy to prepare a complete inventory of data needs from various users of agricultural data at various levels without conducting a comprehensive investigation. However, in this section a general picture of user data needs for agriculture statistics is presented. Agricultural statistics are demanded by a wide community of users at individual, local, sub-national and national level. As regards the public sector, MAIL is the only government agency that makes intensive use of agricultural data and information in designing programs, strategies, and policies for the growth and development of agriculture sector and measuring results. Other sectoral ministries and government agencies also need agricultural data and information for various purposes. Professors, researchers and university students also require agricultural data for research and development activities. Notwithstanding, farmers need data and information on prices of agricultural inputs and commodities, market analysis, weather condition, etc. but the dissemination strategy for farmers should be different from that of other clients, as most of the farmers are illiterate and cannot analyze the data and information provided to them. Private sector bodies also ask for agricultural data and information for designing programs and projects, as they relate to agriculture and rural development. Businesses involved in agricultural input or product markets also require data for the better management of their agribusinesses. Furthermore, international organizations working in agriculture sector needs agricultural statistics in designing various interventions for the growth and development of the sector. Some other organizations need agricultural data and information to evaluate and analyze agriculture sector development in the country. In a nutshell, agricultural & food statistics are demanded by public and private sector bodies,
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international organizations, universities, researchers, farmers, businesses, etc. for a variety of purposes targeting the growth and development of agriculture sector.
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6. EXPECTATIONS
FROM
GOING INITIATIVES IN
COUNTRYSTAT
AND
STRATEGIES
WITH
ON-
AFGHANISTAN
Improvement of the national statistical system in general and agricultural & food statistics system in particular needs planned and collaborative efforts on the part of responsible government agencies, private sector and international partners. The statistical Framework of CountrySTAT is an invaluable initiative of FAO. The CountrySTAT Framework is an online database and data dissemination platform that provides easy access to all agricultural data of a country. To implement the CountrySTAT framework in Afghanistan, capacity building and establishing an institutional framework should be given due consideration. The whole system of agricultural statistics must be restructured; a needs assessment of agriculture & food statistics must be conducted; standard data structure, concepts and definitions must be adopted; policy and strategy for agricultural statistics must be designed; and proper data collection tools and methodology must be prepared. Although the reliability of the available agricultural statistics is questioned, but still CountrySTAT is expected to use the available agricultural statistics keeping their quality and consistency into account. Due to the warfare and conflicts no agricultural census or comprehensive agricultural survey is implemented by the government since 1967. FAO did conduct a livestock census and some agricultural surveys. There is a dire need to enhance the capacity of MAIL and CSO in the collection, analysis and dissemination of agricultural statistics as well as to improve their institutional capacity.
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7. IMPORTANT FACTORS PROJECT IN
FOR
THE
SUCCESS
OF
COUNTRYSTAT
AFGHANISTAN
The successful implementation of the CountrySTAT project in the country depends on several factors. Some of these factors are listed below: i. Enhancing the capacity of DSMI/MAIL so that the agricultural statistics on various domains/ indicators are timely collected, processed and disseminated. ii. Establishing an institutional framework for the successful implementation of the CountrySTAT framework and its sustainable management afterwards. iii. A well-structured and well equipped system with dedicated officers, to regularly feed the data and keep the system running, must be ensured. iv. Provision of technical assistance and fund for the compilation of data and maintenance of the system. v. Strong coordination between the concerned parties. vi. Introducing the system to various users at different levels.
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8. CONCLUDING REMARKS 1) The National Statistical System of Afghanistan underwent several changes during the past four decades or so. Emerged as a small statistics office in the domain of the Ministry of Planning, it has become the National Statistics Organization of Afghanistan. The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) is badly affected by the decades of warfare and conflicts. It is faced with serious human resource, equipments & office materials, physical and budget constraints, especially at the provincial level. 2) The statistical system in the country does not have the capacity to respond effectively to the growing demand from policy makers, planners, investors and international organizations such as IMF and World Bank. This calls for strong commitments and efforts on the part of government, international community and private sector to invest in building a reliable, dynamic, comprehensive and synchronized statistical system. 3) One of the serious challenges faced by agriculture sector of Afghanistan is lack of a reliable, comprehensive and dynamic system of agricultural & food statistics that could supply the necessary data to a variety of users at various levels. The current agricultural statistics system is deficient to meet the minimum requirements of agricultural statistics. In addition to the traditional domains of production, area, and yield, there is growing need for information to guide policy concerning the environment, climate change, food security, biodiversity, investment in agriculture, agricultural trade, land use, water, etc. at various levels. 4) Under-investment in agricultural statistics system and lack of separate strategy, policy and plans for agricultural statistics implies that not enough attention has been devoted to this important element of agricultural development in the country. 5) The Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI) has yet no specific modalities for user-producer dialogue. Agricultural data, mainly administrative data, are collected as per demand of different major Directorates of MAIL without considering the requirements of clients and stakeholders. The data are mainly collected based on the implementation of the plans of various directorates of MAIL.
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9. BIBLIOGRAPHIES A. R. Ghafoori, G. R. Haqiqat Pal, and N. Bakhtani. 2010. The Present State of Food & Agricultural Statistics in Afghanistan. Asia and Pacific Commission of Agricultural Statistics (APCAS): a country paper. Siem Reap, Cambodia. A. R. Ghafoori. Afghanistan Strategies for Achieving Effective Data Communication: a paper presented at the 8th Management Seminar for Heads of National Statistical Offices in Asia and the Pacific, New Delhi, India. Anonymous. Statistical Capacity in Afghanistan. AREU. 2012. The A to Z Guide to Afghanistan Assistance (12th edition). Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit (AREU), Kabul, Afghanistan. Bruno A. Schiro. 1970. The Statistical System of Afghanistan: a general overview with guidelines for improvement. Ministry of Planning, Kabul, Afghanistan. Country Report. 2007. Current Statistical System. 6th Management Seminar for the Heads of NSOs in Asia and the Pacific, Hong Kong, China. CSO. 2006. Statistical Law. Central Statistics Organization, Afghanistan. CSO. 2008. Country Update Report. Central Statistics Organization, Afghanistan: A presentation by President General of CSO, 22nd session of the Asia and Pacific Commission of Agricultural Statistics, Malaysia. CSO. 2009-10 and 2011-12. Afghanistan Statistical Yearbook. Central Statistics Organization, Kabul, Afghanistan. DSMI/ MAIL. 2012. Objectives of the Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information, MAIL, Kabul, Afghanistan. DSMI/MAIL. 2006. Report on the Activities of the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI), MAIL, Kabul, Afghanistan. FAO. 2003. National Horticultural Survey. FAOR, Kabul, Afghanistan. FAO. 2003. National Livestock Census. FAOR, Kabul, Afghanistan.
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FAO. 2012. Report on Farm Management Survey in Afghanistan. Food and Agriculture Organization, Kabul, Afghanistan. FAO/APCAS. 2010. Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics. Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics (APCAS): Twenty Third Session, Agenda Item 12, Cambodia. Hassanzoy, Najibullah. 2012. Agricultural Development in Afghanistan: some temporal reflections. Afghanistan Agricultural Research Journal (AARJ), Faculty of Agriculture, Kabul University, Kabul, Afghanistan. Joint Inter-Agency Mission Report (World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Asian Development Bank, United Kingdom Department for International Development). 2004. A Statistical Master Plan. MAIL. 2009. Change Management, Public Sector Development and Program Support: A program under the National Agricultural Development Framework. Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), Kabul, Afghanistan. MAIL. 2012. Agricultural Commodity Price Bulletin (Volume 11). Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI)/ MAIL, Kabul Afghanistan. MAIL. 2012. Agricultural Exportable Commodity Bulletin (Quarterly). Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI)/ MAIL, Kabul Afghanistan. MAIL. 2012. Agricultural Prospects Report (July, 2012). Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI)/ MAIL, Kabul Afghanistan. MAIL. 2012. The Afghanistan Agrometeorological Bulletin (Monthly). Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information (DSMI)/ MAIL, Kabul Afghanistan. Management Information System Unit, Terms of Reference and Organizational Structure. The Central Statistics Organization (CSO). 2010. Afghanistan National Statistical Plan. CSO, Afghanistan. FAO/MAIL. 2012. Afghanistan Land Cover Database. FAO/MAIL, Afghanistan. Note: Internet Sources including the websites of various national, regional and international agencies are also used in this study. Page 75 of 111
10. ANNEXES ANNEX – 1 Organization Structure of the Directorate of Statistics & Marketing Information, 2012
DSMI, Director
Administrative Manger
Head of Statistics
Market Information Manager
MIS General Manager
Statistics General Manger
Market Information Staff
Relationship Manager
Livestok Statistics Manager
Agricultural Statistics Manager
Cleaner
Livestock Statistics Staff
Agricultural Statistics Staff
Source: Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock.
ANNEX – 2
Area under Various Uses During 2007-08 to 2009-10 in Afghanistan Land Use
(‘000 ha)
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
65223
65223
65223
1) Permanent Pastures
30000
30000
30000
2) All other Land
25613
25613
25613
3) Agricultural Land (a+b+c+d)
9610
9610
9610
a) Forests and Wood Lands
1700
1700
1700
b) Temporary Land
4263
4570
4324
c) Irrigated Crop Area
2252
2191
1836
d) Cultivated Rainfed Area
1395
1149
1750
Permanent Crops
116
166
117
Total Land Area (1+2+3)
Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Afghanistan, Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10.
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ANNEX – 3
Area under Various Crops in Afghanistan, 2007-10. Indicator
(hectares)
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
Cereals Total
3315000
3008000
3248700
Wheat
2466000
2139000
2575000
Rice
170000
190000
200000
Barley
236000
236000
267000
Maize
137000
137000
140000
Millet
12000
12000
10000
Pulses and others
294000
294000
56700
Potato and Beet Total
22500
20464
22700
Potato
20000
20000
21600
Sugar Beet
25000
464
1100
Sugar Cane
3700
1216
3080
Nuts Total
14300
14300
13411
Almond
12000
12000
11029
Walnut
23000
2300
2382
Pistachios
-
-
-
Nuts and others
-
-
-
2300 2300 Olive Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10. Page 78 of 111
2000
ANNEX – 4
Production of Various Crops in Afghanistan, 2007-08 to 2009-10. Indicator
(tonnes)
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
Cereals Total
5530000
3646000
6313000
Wheat
4484000
2623000
5064000
Rice
370000
410000
469000
Barley
370000
333000
480000
Maize
306000
280000
300000
Millet
-
-
-
Pulses and others
-
-
-
Potato and Beet Total
313738
293316
318900
Potato
300800
280000
302400
Sugar Beet
12938
13316
16500
Sugar Cane
15987
62960
123200
Nuts Total
40687
51660
87202
Almond
31481
42000
77200
Walnut
9206
9660
10002
Pistachios
-
-
-
Nuts and others
-
-
-
Olive Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10. Page 79 of 111
9000
ANNEX – 5
Yield of Various Crops in Afghanistan, 2007-08 to 2009-10. Indicator
(kg/ha)
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
Cereals Total
1668
1212
1943
Wheat
1818
1226
1967
Rice
2176
2158
2345
Barley
1568
1411
1798
Maize
2234
2044
2143
Millet
-
-
-
Pulses and others
-
-
-
Potato and Beet Total
13944
14333
14048
Potato
15040
14000
14000
Sugar Beet
5175
28698
15000
Sugar Cane
4321
51776
40000
Nuts Total
2845
3613
6503
Almond
2623
3500
7000
Walnut
4002
4200
4200
Pistachios
-
-
-
Nuts and others
-
-
-
Olive Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10. Page 80 of 111
4500
ANNEX – 6
A Summary Table of Production, Area & Yield Statistics with Its Corresponding Metadata. Indicators
Production
Area
Yield
Crops
Unit
Coverage
Total Cereals, Potato & Beets, tonnes Nuts, Olive, cotton, fruits and vegetables
National level, only wheat, barley and maize at provincial level with cotton, total vegetables and total fruits at zonal level
Total Cereals, Potato & Beets, Nuts, Olive, hectares oilseeds, cotton, fruits and vegetables
National level, only wheat, barley and maize at provincial level with cotton, total vegetables and total fruits at zonal level
Total Cereals, Potato & Beets, Nuts, and Olive
National Level
kg/ha
Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10.
Page 81 of 111
Source
Reference Name: Mr. Samoon
Statistical Yearbook, Central Statistics Organization, Afghanistan.
Office Phone: 0093 (0) 202104338 Mobile: 0093 (0) 799148621
Website: www.cso.gov.af
Office Address: Charahi-e-Ariana, CSO, Kabul, Afghanistan.
ANNEX – 7
The Number of Livestock by Their Types in Afghanistan, During 2007-08 to 2009-10. Type of Livestock
(‘000)
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
Cattle
4357
4745
4721
Sheep
8105
10710
12287
Goat
5387
6386
5810
Chicken
9035
10689
10689
Horses
145
162
177
Asses
1472
1209
1322
Mules
24
24
26
Camel
186
183
190
Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10.
Page 82 of 111
ANNEX – 8
Livestock Production by Their Types, In Afghanistan during 2007-08 to 2009-10. Indicator Unit 2007-08 Total meat Thousand tonnes 305 Beef & buffalo meat Thousand tonnes 137 Game meat Thousand tonnes 8 Goat meat Thousand tonnes 32 Mutton & lamb Thousand tonnes 112 Camel meat Thousand tonnes 3 Chicken meat Thousand tonnes 13 Total milk Thousand tonnes 1756 Cow milk Thousand tonnes 1434 Goat milk Thousand tonnes 113 Camel milk Thousand tonnes 8 Sheep milk Thousand tonnes 201 Total skins Thousand skin 2319 Cattle hides Thousand skin 1397 Goat skins Thousand skin 923 Eggs Thousand piece 16858 Cocoons, reelable Thousand tonnes 0.49 Honey Thousand tonnes 2.8 Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10.
Page 83 of 111
2008-09 298.1 133 7.5 31.6 109.9 3.4 12.7 1707.1 1390.8 112.8 7.6 196 2268.3 1366.7 901.6 16697.9 0.5 2.8
2009-10 301 135 8 32 111 3 13 1732 1413 113 8 198 2294 1382 912 16778 0.5 2.8
ANNEX – 9
The Number of Livestock, by Their Types, Underwent Treatment during 2007-08 to 2009-10. Types of livestock
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
Cows & buffalos
1089
1008
1678
Goats
833
1193
1883
Sheep
1582
2187
2527
Horse
2
2
3
Donkey & mule
12
6
3
Domestic birds
1481
1821
2906
Dog & cat
2
13
12
Camel
1
0.3
0.6
Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10.
Page 84 of 111
ANNEX – 10
(‘000 tonnes)
The Cereal Balance Sheet of Afghanistan, 2009-10. Indicators
Wheat
Rice
Maize
Barley
Total
5065
469
300
480
6313
-
-
-
-
-
5064
469
300
480
6313
b) Utilization
5255
498
300
506
6559
Food use
4175
444
52
26
4697
0
0
195
379
574
Seed provision
319
21
8
29
377
Losses
761
33
45
72
911
Import Requirement (a-b)
191
29
0
0
220
Commercial import capacity
-
-
-
-
-
218
-
-
-
218
-
-
-
-
-
a) Domestic Availability Stock Domestic production
Animal feed
Food aid (WFP) Uncovered deficit
Source: Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Statistical Yearbook, 2009-10.
Page 85 of 111
ANNEX – 11
Organization Structure of the Management Information System Unit/ MAIL
MIS Head
Data Management
Provincial Coordination
Source: MIS Unit/ MAIL.
Page 86 of 111
Application development
ANNEX – 12 Organization Structure of the Central Statistics Organization (CSO), Afghanistan, 2011
Source: Website of CSO, Afghanistan Page 87 of 111
ANNEX – 13 Retail Market Prices of Agricultural Commodities in the Provincial Centers in November, 2012.
Source: Agricultural Commodity Price Bulleting for November 2012, DSMI/ MAIL. Page 88 of 111
ANNEX – 14 Agricultural Commodity Prices in Border Markets during November 2012.
Source: Agricultural Commodity Price Bulleting for November 2012, DSMI/ MAIL. Page 89 of 111
(afs)
ANNEX – 15
Retail Market Price in December 2012 as Compared to the Previous Month/ Year.
Source: Agricultural Commodity Price Bulleting for December 2012, DSMI/ MAIL.
Page 90 of 111
(Afs/kg)
ANNEX – 16
National CPI in November 2012.
Source: Agricultural Commodity Price Bulleting for December 2012, DSMI/ MAIL. Page 91 of 111
ANNEX – 17 Retail Market Prices of Selected Agricultural Commodities for 19-26 December, 2012.
Source: Agricultural Commodity Price Bulleting for December 2012, DSMI/ MAIL. Page 92 of 111
(Afs/kg)
ANNEX – 18 Retail Market Prices of Agricultural Commodities in Provincial Centers during December 2012.
Source: Agricultural Commodity Price Bulleting for December 2012, DSMI/ MAIL. Page 93 of 111
ANNEX – 19 Retail Market Prices of Agricultural Commodities and Inputs in Provincial Centers during December, 2012.
Source: Agricultural Commodity Price Bulleting for December 2012, DSMI/ MAIL. Page 94 of 111
ANNEX – 20
Source: Agricultural Prospects Report, MAIL, July, 2012. Page 95 of 111
ANNEX – 21
Cereal Balance Sheet in Marketing Year (MY) 2012.
Source: Agricultural Prospects Report, MAIL, July, 2012.
Page 96 of 111
(‘000 tonnes)
ANNEX – 22 Forecasted Area and Production of Different Cereals In 2012
Cereals Production in Afghanistan During, 2005 to 2012.
Source: Agricultural Prospects Report, MAIL, July, 2012. Page 97 of 111
(‘000 tonnes)
ANNEX – 23 Production of Fruits and Vegetables, 2012.
Source: Agricultural Prospects Report, MAIL, July, 2012. Page 98 of 111
ANNEX – 24
Development and Rehabilitation of Forest Nurseries During, 2010-12.
Source: Agricultural Prospects Report, MAIL, July, 2012.
Page 99 of 111
ANNEX – 25
Studying Field, Education Level and Experience of the Directorate of Statistics and Marketing Information, MAIL. Features
EDUCATION LEVEL
Education Level Employee
M.Sc.
B.Sc.
High School
1
11
1
STUDYING FIELD Studying Field
Agril. Economics & Extension
Employee
Agricultural Sciences
4
6
Animal Husbandry 3
EXPERIENCE LEVEL (years) Experience Level Employee
< 10
10 – 20
20
