Agricultural data needs in South Africa
Abstract
The deregulation of agricultural marketing resulted in a substantial increase in the need and
simultaneously a decrease in the supply of agricultural data. Agricultural data needs also
changed significantly. Agricultural data are needed for decision-making, problem solving,
managing complexity and uncertainty, improving the competitive market and operational
efficiency and also increased knowledge. Mail surveys on agricultural data users showed a
significant need for certain categories of agricultural data. Policy-makers need data on
quantity of import and exports, volume of production, institutional matters and
infrastructure, economics and employment. Researchers need data on areas planted to
annual crops, quantities of import and exports, economics, particulars of farming unit and
institutional matters and infrastructure. Agribusinesses need data on yields, cost of
production, institutional matters and infrastructure, particulars of farming units and
economic data. Farmers need data on producer prices, prices of production inputs,
employment, economic, institutional matters and infrastructure. Responsible agricultural
data suppliers should now focus their efforts on the agricultural data needs as indicated by
the users.
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