Resource information
This sourcebook summarizes the outputs
and lessons of the Livestock in Africa: improving data for
better policies project. It aims to present the challenges
facing professionals collecting and analyzing livestock data
and statistics and possible solutions. While the Sourcebook
does not address all conceivable issues related to enhancing
livestock data and underlining statistical issues, it does
represent a unique document for a number of reasons. To
begin with, it is possibly the first document which
specifically addresses the broad complexity of livestock
data collection, taking into consideration the unique
characteristics of the sector. Indeed, in most cases
livestock data are dealt with, if ever, within the context
of major agricultural initiatives. Second, the sourcebook is
a joint product of users and suppliers of livestock data,
with its overarching objective being to respond to the
information needs of data users, and primarily the
Ministries responsible for livestock in African countries
and the National Statistical Authorities. Finally, the
sourcebook represents a unique experiment of
inter-institutional collaboration, which jointly places the
World Bank, the FAO Animal Production and Health Division,
the ILRI and the Africa Union, Interafrican Bureau for
Animal Resources as well as national governments in Niger,
Tanzania and Uganda at the forefront of data and statistical
innovation for evidence-based livestock sector policies and
investments. This sourcebook represents a first step towards
a demand-driven and sustainable approach to enhance the
livestock information available to decision makers. It is
hoped it will provide a useable framework for significantly
improving the quantity and quality of livestock data and
statistics available to the public and private sector, and
also increase the efficacy of investments that country
governments and the international community allocate to
generate information for livestock sector policies and investments.
