The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) will conduct an agricultural census following the completion of the 2025 Population and Housing Census, Chief Statistician Statchel Edwards announced Tuesday.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Population and Housing Census, Edwards outlined plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Agriculture on comprehensive data collection efforts.
“After the census, we are planning to conduct the agricultural census. What we will do is basically collect basic information about farming and the farming sector within the country and then use that information to develop what we call a sample frame for the agricultural census,” he said.
The announcement came after Prime Minister Gaston Browne expressed frustration with current agricultural data collection practices, noting that delays have limited the government’s understanding of its progress on the regional ’25 by 25′ food security goal.
“Nearly every year there was no data coming out of the Ministry of Agriculture … we have requested time and time again, we have researched them, we have said to them if they need additional resources to provide the resources and yet still does not get the data,” Browne said.
He warned that if delays in statistical reporting persist, the government might consider alternatives.
“If this type of lethargy persists, then we may have to outsource the production of these stats,” Browne said, while noting that the government will continue making resources available to statistical units in various ministries.
Edwards explained that the newly formed National Bureau of Statistics will work to address these challenges by strengthening coordination across government agencies.
“As the head of the national statistical system, we can now use our position as the National Bureau of Statistics to improve the coordination among the different stakeholders and also provide guidance, support and assistance,” Edwards said.
He also acknowledged that implementing these improvements would require significant investment in resources.
“We definitely have to have an investment of resources, so as we said, there’s going to be a two-phase approach. The first phase is to put essential structures in place,” Edwards explained.
He added, “I don’t want people to personally think immediately with the National Bureau of Statistics, everything is going to change overnight. What will happen is it’s going to be within a period of time. Things will improve, but it will not be instant.”
The planned agricultural census will be expected to provide critical data for national development planning and further the country’s food security initiatives, according to Edwards.
