ICC Secretariat had conducted the first coconut statistics workshop which was held virtually on 31 May 2021 for the middle-level officers from the ICC member countries responsible for agriculture statistics, especially in the coconut sector. The workshop aims to improve the capability of participants in identifying and applying feasible statistical methods in producing accurate coconut statistics, to establish a coconut statistical network among ICC member countries and collaborating partners, and to encourage member countries on timely reporting statistical data to ICC Secretariat. There were 41 participants from 16 ICC member countries participated in the workshop.
Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director, ICC, delivered the opening remarks. She mentioned that Statistics is an important starting point in building a good network among ICC member countries. Statistics is also an important base in the policy-making process. Hence, statistical data should be accurate, timely, and reliable. The coconut supply and demand trend as parts of the coconut statistics could also be used by government to raise awareness of future actions. Given the increasing global demand for many coconut-based products, statistical data is essential as a great trigger for product diversification and innovation to produce more marketable and profitable products to sustain the sector, and improve farmer’s livelihood.
She hoped that at the end of the workshop, the participants could understand the different statistical methods to collect the data effectively and efficiently and reported to ICC promptly. She requested all the participants to share their knowledge and experience to understand, adopt and adapt the methods and experience for the benefit of their countries and coconut sector.
The first speaker of the workshop was Ir. Sri Sayekti, M.Sc. trainer and facilitator from the Education and Training Center, BPS Statistics Indonesia. She presented “Data Collection Methods and Estimation on Agriculture Statistics” in which she explained the importance of agriculture statistics to achieve SDGs, good practices and principles for official statistics data collection methods, sampling techniques, and methods of estimation. She was assisted by Dr. Edwin Tanur.
In the Knowledge Sharing session speakers from the Philippines; India and Sri Lanka shared the methods and agencies involved in the collection and implementation of Statistics data in their countries. Mr. Benjamin R. Madrigal, Jr., Administrator, Philippine Coconut Authority, presented “Philippine Coconut Statistics”, in which he described the rationale behind the importance of reliable statistics, the industry situation, the significance of statistics gathered, challenges of Philippine coconut statistics, current initiatives and plans, and way forward.
Mr. Vasanthakumar V.C, Statistical Officer, Coconut Development Board, India, shared “The Data Collection Methods & Estimation of Statistics of Coconut in India” where he explained in details the data collection and participating organizations in the estimation process, the role of CDB, followed by sampling design, area & production estimation, price data on coconut and its products, import, export, and consumption pattern.
Dr. Sanathanie Ranashinghe, Director, Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka, shared the policy frame and institutional arrangement, key statistics coconut data information, data collection methods, cultivation and production data, local consumption, data on value-added products exports, and imports.
Mr. Alit Pirmansah, Market & Statistics Officer, ICC, demonstrated how to utilize the ICC's newly developed statistical webpage and online database in which the identified contact officer from the ICC member countries' could upload their own countries' statistics data. He explained through video presentation the step-by-step guidelines of the menu of the statistics webpage to the participants.
The queries raised by the participants were addressed by the speakers in the Q&A session.
The closing remarks were delivered by Mr. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., Administrator, PCA. He expressed his gratitude to ICC for conducting this workshop which is the need of the hour. Activities like this truly underscore the crucial role of the ICC in harmonizing and gathering best practices in the industry development strategy for the benefit of its member countries. This event is one important step towards accurate and well-informed decisions for the welfare of the coconut farmers and the sustainable future of the coconut industry.
He further added that through this activity, we can identify the need for strengthening international cooperation in terms of data sharing so that we could utilize coconut products more effectively, which is helping our farmers and economy in general. He also emphasized that the Philippines fully supporting International Community in this endeavor. He mentioned that organizing such programs can further improve coconut industry-related statistics and identify key opportunities for long-term collaboration of the development and Improvement of the global coconut industry information system. The webinar was moderated by Ms. Mridula Kottekate, Assistant Director, ICC.