Discussion on the Handbook

1
Discussion on the Handbook Overview of the
Handbook update

• Berkeley Hill and Jan Karlsson editors of the
  first edition

2
York meeting identified some issues

• (A) General updates/improvements
• Poverty
• Classification of rurality
• Terminology relating to rural development
  instruments (inputs, outputs, results, outcomes)
• Complexity of the farm concept and forms of
  ownership
• More case studies
• Better links between users and providers

3
York issues ctd.

• (B) Increase utility to developing countries
• Deeper coverage of developing countries
• Recognition of diverse nature and statistical
  capacities
• General principles of planning statistics for
  rural areas (core indicators etc.)
• Problems of measuring living standards in
  developing countries
• Sub-group to carry planning forward(FAO,WB,DfID,
  LEI, IC)

4
Illustration of developing country problems

• Evaluation of FAOs statistical work
• WB/FAO study Indicators for tracking results in
  less-than-ideal conditions (2008)
• Survey that was part of the Handbook 2205/2007

5
Carrying the Handbook forward

• York meeting proposed that this Rome meeting
  would be asked to
• List items to be addressed (see later)
• Designate authors
• Arrange and editorial process
• Make provision for incorporation of new text in
  the electronic version (FAO website)

6
Proposed editorial arrangements

• Appoint Editorial Panel (General Editor and two
  Specialist Editors (OECD and LDCs)
• Encourage suggestions for authors from the whole
  Wye City Group
• Editorial Panel responsible for timetable
• FAO responsible for incorporating text.

7
Suggested new text

• I.1.4 Evaluating statistics and statistical
  systems
• II.1.8 Issues in measuring unemployment
• III.1.5 Example of rural definition based on
  small area statistics (England and Wales)
• III.3.1 Indicators associated with rural
  development stages
• IV.8 Case study England rural statistics
• IV.9 Case studies some developing countries

8
Suggested new text ctd.

• V.3.3 EU update to 2007-13 RDPs
• V.3.4 Indicators in the EU annual report on
  rural development
• V.1.10 Combining datasets using GIS/small areas
  UK experience
• IX.6 Expand to cover subsistence producers
• XIII.1.2 Examples of data sources expanded
• XIV.3-5 Further examples Canada, Demark, others

9
Resolution needed for

• Confirmation of Editorial Panel approach
• Resources required for it to function
• Set date for meeting of LDC subgroup
• Mechanism to invite further suggestions for
  improvements (and confirm those proposed) and
  authors
• Consideration of further electronic surveys
• Set a timetable for updating the Handbook