This article, by Emmanuel Mulenga, is the first in the series of stories from the Global Data Festival and Kenya Space Expo & Conference by journalists in the Open Data Watch-Data2X media fellowship program.

 

Reliable agricultural data is increasingly recognized as the cornerstone of food security and productivity. According to James Henderson, Agriculture Programme Lead for the global 50x2030 Initiative, data empowers governments to make smarter investments, respond to crises, and support farmers more effectively.

But what is this data? Agriculture data encompasses all the information collected and analyzed across the farming sector—including crop yields, soil conditions, weather patterns, and market prices.

“Better data helps governments spend limited resources more efficiently and get them to where they are needed most,” Henderson explained. He emphasized that farmers' knowledge and good data are complementary, and that better data systems can strengthen decisions at both the farm and the policy level. 

Bridging the data gap

The 50x2030 Initiative partners with national statistics offices and ministries of agriculture to strengthen agricultural data systems. Yet Henderson warned of a “dangerous gap” between datasets and their actual use. Ministries often collect valuable information but fail to share it across sectors, limiting its impact.

He gave the example of a government that distributed tractors equally across its regions, including mangrove areas where the machines were unusable. “If the right information had been available and used, those resources could have been directed to areas where they would have the greatest impact,” he said. 

Accurate data is especially vital during climate emergencies. Knowing where food stocks are low or where production has declined allows governments to save lives and protect livelihoods. At the farmer level, access to rainfall patterns, soil conditions, and input requirements helps reduce waste and boost yields.

“Most of this information already exists somewhere. The real shift is whether we can bring it together and get it in front of the people making decisions,” Henderson noted.

He added that political and institutional barriers, rather than a lack of technical expertise, remain one of the biggest challenges to effective data sharing in many African countries. 

Henderson said many countries, including Ethiopia and Nigeria, already have skilled professionals, strong universities, and capable public institutions. The bigger obstacle to progress, he said, is often building trust and incentives around data sharing, particularly where decision-makers have real concerns about how the data might be used. 

He explained that fears over the release of sensitive information, such as farmers’ locations and personal identification details, often lead authorities to reject data-sharing requests.

Henderson emphasized the need for governments to adopt secure data-governance systems that protect confidential information while allowing non-sensitive data to be shared for purposes such as agricultural planning, food security, and evidence-based policymaking, arguing that the goal should be to say “yes” to data sharing in a safe and responsible manner rather than simply refusing access altogether.

Extension workers: turning numbers into action

While governments and donors invest heavily in data collection, extension workers remain the critical link between statistics and real‑world impact. Neli Georgieva, Survey Team Coordinator at the FAO Statistics Division, stressed that extension services must translate evidence into practical guidance for farmers.

“They should use the data, prepare analyses at the local level, gather agricultural producers and explain to them what should be done based on the evidence,” Georgieva said during the Global Data Festival in Nairobi.

Her organization works with governments to collect standardized agricultural statistics that support policymaking and emerging technologies such as geospatial analysis. With consent, geo‑referenced data can be integrated into crop mapping and predictive systems, advancing beyond traditional planning.

Countries like Senegal and Cambodia are already using such statistics to inform national strategies. Georgieva cautioned, however, that data collection alone is insufficient: “Even if data is produced, if governments, researchers and decision-makers do not use it, it is like throwing money out the window.”

Farmers at the center

Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of African agriculture, stand to benefit most from reliable data. Harmonized statistics help governments design targeted interventions to increase productivity and resilience. Yet Georgieva acknowledged that changing long‑established practices is challenging. Combining local experience with scientific evidence is key to building trust.

Digital dashboards and real‑time visualization tools are making agricultural information more accessible than ever. “This is the way to go,” she said. “When decision‑makers see the value of the data, they want more.”

Still, she emphasized that sustained engagement is essential. Registration and training programs alone are not enough; farmers need continuous support to adopt new approaches. “No change happens overnight. People need time to understand and appreciate the benefits before they fully embrace new approaches.”

Geospatial data: mapping the future of food

Beyond traditional statistics, geospatial data, which refers to data, technology, and analysis that identifies the geographic location and characteristics of features on Earth's surface, is emerging as a powerful tool for food security. Jenna Slotin, CEO of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, highlighted its role in providing critical insights into farmland, productivity, and soil conditions.

“Without information from geospatial and Earth observations data, together with weather, demographic and other agricultural information, we cannot understand how to ensure food security,” Slotin said.

By combining multiple data sources, governments can design evidence‑based interventions such as fertilizer distribution, school feeding programs, and social protection schemes. Accurate and timely information ensures resources reach the right people, particularly vulnerable small‑scale farmers.

Slotin expressed optimism that collaboration among governments, communities, and development partners will strengthen data use in tackling challenges like climate change and food insecurity.

The road ahead

The message from Nairobi’s Global Data Festival was clear: data is not just about numbers—it is about lives, livelihoods, and resilience. Whether through national statistics, extension services, or geospatial technologies, the effective use of agricultural data can transform food systems.

  • Governments must improve coordination and ensure data informs policy.
  • Extension services must translate evidence into farmer‑friendly guidance.
  • Technologies like Earth observation must be harnessed to map and monitor crops.
  • Communities must be engaged continuously to build trust and adoption.

As Henderson put it: “If data is not being used, it is useless. We need to move away from producing data just to make reports and start using data to make better-informed decisions.”

 

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