ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – The Latin American and Caribbean Commission on Agricultural Statistics (LACCAS) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is holding its 32nd meeting for the first time in Paraguay. Representatives from 32 countries in the region are attending the meeting, which takes place in Asunción from March 26 to 28, to discuss ways to improve the quality and availability of agricultural statistics. This is expected to play a crucial role in shaping public policies and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The meeting is co-hosted by the FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (RLC), the FAO Office in Paraguay, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) of Paraguay, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) of Paraguay. High-level statistics officials from the 32 member countries are participating, along with representatives from FAO-related bodies and technical experts attending as observers to share their insights.

José Rosero Moncayo, Director of the FAO Statistics Division, stated, "The Latin American and Caribbean Commission on Agricultural Statistics is the largest regional platform for developing methods and practices for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating agricultural statistics. This meeting serves as a forum for sharing experiences and discussions, contributing to the improvement of the quality and quantity of data needed to guide public policies."

Iván Ojeda, Director of Paraguay's INE, highlighted the significant contribution of FAO's support to the development of statistics in Paraguay. He noted, "Thanks to FAO, Paraguay was able to measure the experience of food insecurity for the first time, which is a key indicator of the SDGs. We conducted the national agricultural census after 14 years, and we are currently conducting the national agricultural survey."

Iván Felipe León Ayala, FAO Representative in Paraguay, emphasized, "Policy design, investment programs, development projects, and strategic decisions must be based on data. This is the best way to objectively interpret reality."

Key Agenda Items and Regional Cooperation

The meeting's core agenda includes recent developments and innovations in FAO activities carried out in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2023, SDG indicators managed by FAO, food balance sheets, agricultural censuses, Agricultural Science and Technology Indicators (ASTI), and food system statistics. Additionally, prior to the meeting, a meeting of the Regional Working Group on Agricultural Statistics under the Statistical Conference of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) was held to discuss the status of agricultural survey sampling frames and regional efforts to improve them.

The 32 participating countries are Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico,  Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay,  and Venezuela.   

Development of Agricultural Statistics in Paraguay

Paraguay has achieved remarkable progress in the field of agricultural statistics through its collaboration with FAO. In particular, the national agricultural census conducted after 14 years provided crucial data for understanding agricultural production and food security status, and the ongoing national agricultural survey will further complement this information. These efforts are laying the foundation for regional agricultural policy formulation and sustainable development.

The 32nd LACCAS meeting is expected to reaffirm the importance of agricultural statistics in the region and strengthen cooperation among member countries. FAO will continue to support data-driven policy making and promote agricultural development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

[Copyright (c) Global Economic Times. All Rights Reserved.]