Agricultural data needs in South Africa

[摘要] The deregulation of agricultural marketing resulted in a substantial increase in the need andsimultaneously a decrease in the supply of agricultural data. Agricultural data needs alsochanged significantly. Agricultural data are needed for decision-making, problem solving,managing complexity and uncertainty, improving the competitive market and operationalefficiency and also increased knowledge. Mail surveys on agricultural data users showed asignificant need for certain categories of agricultural data. Policy-makers need data onquantity of import and exports, volume of production, institutional matters andinfrastructure, economics and employment. Researchers need data on areas planted toannual crops, quantities of import and exports, economics, particulars of farming unit andinstitutional matters and infrastructure. Agribusinesses need data on yields, cost ofproduction, institutional matters and infrastructure, particulars of farming units andeconomic data. Farmers need data on producer prices, prices of production inputs,employment, economic, institutional matters and infrastructure. Responsible agriculturaldata suppliers should now focus their efforts on the agricultural data needs as indicated bythe users.

[发布机构] University of the Free State