The agricultural statistics sub-sector has developed ‘The Agricultural Statistics Strategic Master Plan (SMP)’ in order to improve integration, coordination, harmonization, and implementation of agricultural statistics in Malawi. The SMP, to be formally launched soon, is expected to guide improvements in the quality, standards, accuracy, reliability, timely release, and accessibility of agricultural statistics. In addition, it will guide various partners to properly direct their investments and minimize duplication of efforts and underinvestment for the identified strategic focus areas. The SMP has been developed in line with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II, which is the overarching development strategy for the country. It is also in line with the National Statistical System, which is the overarching strategy for official statistics in Malawi. Together with the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach, which aims to transform and diversifying the agriculture sector, these strategies recognize the role of agricultural statistics in informing policies and monitoring and evaluating progress toward realizing development goals.
The Government of Malawi is fully cognizant of the need for quality agricultural statistics in decision making, policy formulation and planning, and monitoring and evaluation of agriculture development programs. With full commitment from various players involved in agricultural statistics in the country, the SMP should successfully guide data users, producers, and investors in agricultural statistics to achieve high-quality, reliable, timely, and accessible agricultural statistics over the next five years.
The strategic master plan will be officially launched in a half-day event to be held in Lilongwe when the new government is in place. The launch is expected to bring together policy makers, producers and users of different types of agricultural statistics as well as development partners that provide both technical and financial resources in order to improve the sector. These are expected to come from government, private sector, academia and research. Please email IFPRI-Lilongwe@cgiar.org to receive direct updates on this event.
