Data an essential tool for research

PHILLEPUS UUSIKU The availability of data, and information together with knowledge and training plays a crucial role in conducting research which will ensure that policy formulation is evidence based. The Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA) whose mandate is to collect, produce, analyse and disseminate official statistics, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) on Tuesday.According to NUST Vice Chancellor, Dr Erold Naomab, in order for all stakeholders to benefit from the best possible actions arising from statistical decision-making now, and in future, it is strategically important to work collaboratively. “We have identified three primary areas of cooperative activities. The first being, to coordinate the collection, processing, and dissemination of agricultural statistics in a cost-effective manner to reduce duplication. Secondly, the collaboration of joint lectures and socio-economic research. Thirdly, implementing student attachment and in-service training,” he said.NUST is delighted to offer technical and professional expertise and advanced technological platforms to support this undertaking. All faculties, Centres and Institutes are expected to benefit from this initiative based on the principle of cross-sectorial inter-disciplinary cooperation, he added.The Agricultural Trade Policy Institute from the Faculty of Natural Resources and Spatial Sciences, officially launched their two-year training course last month, titled Agricultural Trade and Policy Training and Exchange Programme for Professionals. The course was designed after a detailed stakeholder survey that took place last year, and targeted various role players in the agribusiness value chain.Agricultural statisticsNaomab notes that under the MoU, NUST will undertake the establishment of a continuous intersectoral agri-trade policy dialogue to enhance evidence-based, coordinated and efficient policy development, monitoring and evaluation. Uniformly, NSA will support and advice on methodological standards employed in the collection, processing and validation of secondary administrative records.According to Alex Shimuafeni, NSA Statistician-General, trade statistics is a catalyst for import substitution as Namibia imported goods worth N$109 billion last year. Boosting local manufacturing and job creation is of critical importance, therefore, agriculture trade statistics can thus ensure job security.He noted that the agriculture sector 9% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country in 2020 which amounted to N$15.9 billion. This justifies why Namibia need an Agricultural Trade Policy Institution (ATPI).“This collaboration is testimony that NSA does not collect statistics for its own but for stakeholders for evidence-based policy and decision making. I am looking forward to the development of an Agricultural Statistical Management System (ASMS) that the two institutions will develop,” he said.It is through a system like this that better planning and coordination can be achieved countrywide. Shimuafeni is confident that they will be able to develop their own ASMS, a system similar to the National Housing Information System that NSA is currently finalising together with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.With the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, the establishment of the ATPI and the signing of the MoU could not have come at a better time, he concluded.

Data an essential tool for research

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Republikein 2025-09-11

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Data an essential tool for research

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