Agricultural cost of production statistics in Africa

This article considers the methodology presented in the Handbook on Agricultural Cost of Production (AgCoP) Statistics prepared by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), within the implementation of the Research Component of the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics. This Global Strategy is an initiative endorsed by the United Nations Statistical Commission in 2010 and implemented in Africa through the Action Plan for Improving Agricultural and Rural Statistics (from 2013‑2018), developed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Economic Commission for Africa of the United Nations (UNECA) and FAO, in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC). The Technical Assistance Component of the Action Plan was implemented by AfDB. From 2019 onward, AfDB has continued to provide technical assistance to its member countries in different areas of agricultural statistics, including AgCoP, within its Statistics Capacity Building Program.

This article identifies particular issues, challenges and perspectives related to the implementation of the AgCoP methodology in African countries, reflecting the experience and learning from bilateral technical assistance activities implemented by AfDB in African countries since 2013, as well as Regional Training Workshops on Agricultural Cost of Production Statistics conducted during the same period.

Harris, R., Cachia, F., Ngendakumana, V. (2025). Agricultural cost of production statistics in Africa. Statéco, 119.