Technological Innovation for Agricultural Statistics

Special Supplement to Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2018

This special supplement to the Key Indicators for Asia and the Pacific 2018 showcases the role that technology can play in improving the quality, timeliness, and frequency of agricultural statistics. The first part presents a summary of existing methods for collecting land area, production, and yield data in the region. The second part discusses measurement errors associated with the existing data collection methods. The third part presents ways to address these measurement errors using remote sensing technology by showcasing results from three methodological research activities undertaken by the Asian Development Bank in three countries: the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Thailand, and Viet Nam. This report concludes with a summary of how other innovations, such as drones, computer-assisted personal interviewing, and artificial intelligence hold promise in transforming the field of agricultural statistics.