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Technical Workshop in Tanzania Advances Preparation for the 2024 Annual Agricultural Sample Survey

A technical workshop held in Arusha from July 8 to 17, 2024, marked a critical step in preparing for the Tanzania Annual Agricultural Sample Survey (AASS) 2024. The workshop, facilitated by 50x2030 Initiative statisticians Chiara Brunelli, Stella Wambugu, and Stefania Giuseppe, focused on reviewing the survey’s questionnaire and tabulation plan, while also introducing new modules on Machinery, Equipment and Assets (MEA) and Women’s Empowerment and Nutrition (WEN).

The 10-day mission brought together key stakeholders from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), the office of the Chief Government Statistician (OCGS, Zanzibar) and other technical experts. The primary aim was to refine the AASS 2024 survey tools and address challenges faced during the 2023 survey, with a special focus on improving crop and livestock production estimates.

Key Workshop Outcomes:

  • Survey Improvements: The team reviewed lessons from the 2023 survey. Based on feedback, they identified strategies to collect more reliable data.
  • Tabulation Plan Refinements: 50x2030 will assist in computing key Sustainable Development Goal indicators (SDG 2.3.1 and 2.3.2), ensuring the data aligns with international standards for agricultural productivity and sustainability.
  • Machinery, Equipment, and Assets Module: Stakeholders debated the country’s priority agricultural machinery and equipment. Following expert consultations, a finalized list of assets for inclusion in the 2024 survey was agreed upon.
  • Women’s Empowerment and Nutrition Module: A new module focusing on women’s empowerment and nutrition was introduced. Nutritionists provided valuable input on the food list to be used in the dietary diversity section, and the module was well-received by participants, leading to minor adjustments and finalization of the questionnaire.

The successful completion of the workshop led to the approval of the AASS 2024 questionnaire. With preparations now underway, the finalized survey tools will play a pivotal role in enhancing Tanzania’s agricultural data collection efforts, contributing to more informed decision-making and better policy development in the agricultural sector.

This workshop marks a significant step forward in the preparation for the second wave of Tanzania’s Annual Agricultural Sample Survey, ensuring that the data collection process is well-equipped to meet national and international standards.