Committee on Agricultural Statistics

About the Committee

The Committee on Agricultural Statistics (CAS) is a Special Interest Group operating under the auspices of the International Statistical Institute (ISI) to promote the development, modernisation, and harmonisation of agricultural and rural statistics globally. The Committee serves as a hub for statisticians, researchers, and policy experts working to improve the quality, relevance, and accessibility of agricultural statistics across diverse contexts. It also works to strengthen methods, standards, and data sources to ensure the production of timely and accurate agricultural statistics that meet policy needs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, thereby enhancing decision-making on food security and sustainable agriculture.

Objectives

• To advance the quality and relevance of agricultural statistics worldwide by contributing to international statistical programmes and frameworks.
• To provide a platform for agricultural statisticians, economists, researchers, and policymakers to exchange best practice, emerging methods, and innovations in agricultural data collection, analysis, and dissemination.
• To organise and promote the International Conference on Agricultural Statistics (ICAS) — a premier global forum for sharing innovations, experiences, and research in agricultural and rural statistics.
• To advocate for agricultural statistics in national and global fora, as part of a coordinated effort to strengthen statistical systems worldwide.
• To work closely with the ISI and its networks to promote agricultural statistics as part of global statistical efforts and encourage collaboration across different areas of statistics.

Activities

• Organise sessions and panels at ISI World Statistics Congresses and other major statistical conferences.
• Support workshops, webinars, and training programmes in partnership with other statistical organisations (e.g., the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the World Bank, and the United States Department of Agriculture).
• Produce and share practical resources — such as technical notes, reports, and case studies — on key emerging topics such as geospatial technologies, climate-smart agriculture, and the use of big data in farming.