New harmonised EAC data platform to improve food commodity trade

Politics and policy

The database will automatically update the agricultural statistic indicators published in the member country databases of the EAC partner states. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

By GERALD ANDAE

In Summary

• Kenya, being a food deficit country, relies on food imports from the neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Uganda.
• The launch of the online data platform will enable traders to make informed decision imports.

Member states of the East African Community (EAC) will be able to access statistics on the available food in each of the partner states and make informed decisions for imports in times of deficit. This is thanks to a newly launched single data platform.

The EAC region stat database will enable the member states to acquire information on agricultural commodities online following the harmonisation of the statistics from the five member state.

The database, launched at a cost of $1 million, will automatically update the agricultural statistics indicators published in the country databases of the EAC partner states.

Kenya, being a food deficit country, relies on food imports from the neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Uganda and the launch of the online data platform will enable traders to make informed decision imports.

“The formation of the data base will be a critical element in monitoring and evaluation of the progress on achievement of the food security across the region,” said principal secretary for East African Affairs John Konchellah.

Mr Konchellah noted that EAC treaty provides the basic elements for the partner states to objectively cooperate for the achievement of rational agricultural production and food security.

“Partner States are urged to adopt schemes for rationalisation of agricultural production with a focus to provide specialised and sustainable national agriculture productions programmes,” he said.

He noted that the move will offer a common agricultural policy, ensure food sufficiency within the community and lead to increased agricultural production and promotion of export within and outside the EAC region.

Despite huge potential, Mr Konchellah said that inadequate exchange of food information between times and places of abundant harvest on one hand, and those with deficit on the other, have contributed to cases of hunger in the region.

The new service will provide a one stop centre for online statistical data on food and agriculture in the region as well as facilitate exchange of information among the EAC member states.

EAC deputy secretary General Enos Bukuku noted that the just launched data system will provide the required indicators for monitoring and evaluation of the EAC food action plan. He noted that harmonising agricultural data is an important milestone coming just ahead of the implementation of the single currency in the region.