Africa-Press – Mauritius. In the context of African Statistics Day 2022 observed annually on 18 November, a one-day workshop focusing on the theme Strengthening data systems by modernising the production and use of agricultural statistics: informing policies with a view to improving resilience in agriculture, nutrition and food security in Africa, was launched this morning at the Ravenala Attitude Hotel in Balaclava.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI), Mr Shri Swami Goolaub, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Head of Office for Mauritius and Seychelles, Ms Priscilla Li Ying, the Chairperson of Statistics Board, Mr Jean Charles Cartier, and the Acting Director of Statistics Mauritius, Mr Mukesh Dawoonauth, were present at the event.
The main findings of the housing and population census conducted this year were also disseminated during the workshop. In his address, Mr Goolaub indicated that Statistics Day is intended to be a call to modernise data systems for the production, dissemination and use of agricultural statistics.
The purpose of statistics in agriculture, he underlined, is to provide quality and reliable data so as to respond to the needs of farmers, decision makers and other stakeholders for decision making and strategic planning.
Resilience in agriculture should be built in the face of adversity and agricultural statistics is vital in building that resilience, he pointed out, adding that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war served as wake-up calls.
He underscored that statistical data will enable to introduce modern agricultural techniques leading to smart agriculture and increased productivity. This modernisation process, he added, needs to be strengthened to achieve the goals of 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063 and bring about significant improvements in monitoring and reporting.
Ms Li Ying highlighted that statistics are important indicators of socio-economic circumstances, and key concerns such as human health, fertility rates, educational level, demographic prevalence and investment in education and gender equality.
“The UNFPA is pleased to have assisted Statistics Mauritius in their housing and population census”, she said.
As for Mr Cartier, he stated that the African Statistics Day aims at increasing public awareness about the importance of statistics in all dimensions of life, including the society, economy and environment on the continent.
He rejoiced that Mauritius has made a headway in reforming its overall national statistical system with a reinforced legal and institutional framework and that Statistics Mauritius has made due progress in improving the collection, dissemination and analysis of official statistics.
For his part, Mr Dawoonauth commended the staff of Statistics Mauritius and all officers who have worked hard for the housing and population census which was completed in a relatively shorter period of time through the use of Computer Assisted Personal Interviews technology for data collection exercise. To this end, he thanked the UNFPA for having extended technical assistance to Statistics Mauritius.
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