Fiji to host the 27th session of Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics

Fiji is hosting the 27th session of Asia and Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics in Nadi.

The event is being held at the Sheraton Resort for the next 5 days.

Officiating at the event, Minister for Industry Trade and Tourism Faiyaz Koya says gaps exist in agriculture data in the Asia Pacific region at national and regional levels.

Koya says the data situation for agriculture has eroded in recent decades to the point where many countries lack the capacity to produce and report even the minimum set of data to monitor national trends or guide the international development debate.

He thanked the Commission for providing a unique forum which identifies the needs and priorities of member countries to develop sound statistical systems capable of providing data for planning and policy‑making in the food and agriculture sector.

The Minister says with the aim of raising people's living standards and nutritional status this underlying principle has made Fiji very proud of being a member and of what Fiji has been able to achieve alongside the APCAS partners.

The session is attended by participants throughout the Asia Pacific Region, including delegates from APCAS member countries, observers from non‑member countries, International Organizations and technical experts from Food and Agriculture Organization  Regional Office and headquarters.