Under the framework of the regional project "Network for Agriculture and Rural Development Think-tanks for Countries in Mekong sub-region" (NARDT), funded by The International Fund of Agricultural Development (IFAD), the training course titled "Application of statistics indicators in monitoring and evaluation of agriculture and rural development" taught by the experts from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam was organized by Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD). The course aims to  improve skills in using and applying to monitor and evaluate the situation and progress of agriculture and rural development in Vietnam as well as skills in utilizing statistical data in agricultural analysis and assessment in the Vietnam's context. 

The training attracted a diverse group of over 40  professionals, researchers and students, representatives from key government bodies,  and reputable research institutions, universities across Vietnam joining zoom platform and offline at Fortuna Hotel. This rich mix of participants fostered a dynamic learning environment conducive to extensive knowledge exchange and network building. Leading the sessions were distinguished experts in agricultural statistic analysis, including Mr. Le Trung Hieu, Deputy Director General and Mr Ngo Nhu Ve – Senior data researcher from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam.

 This training course was conducted across two full days, spanning October 12^th-13^th 2023, and was delivered through the Zoom platform and offline venue. To conduct the training, the experts used a combination of presentations, analysis of case studies and class discussions of illustrative case studies, and breakout group discussions.  The content of the course was co-designed by the training team and staffs from Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agriculture and Rural Development (IPSARD), Vietnam.

Key areas covered were:

Day 1: Macroeconomic indicators used in the analysis of the agriculture and rural development: How to calculate, how to use and meaning of indicators.

• Economic growth rate (GDP)

• GDP per capita

• Per capita income

• Social labor productivity

• Gross national income (GNI)

• Net Disposable Income (NDI)

• Savings (S)

•  Incremental Capital Output Ratio (ICOR)

• Total factor productivity (TFP).

Day 2: Application of statistical data in agriculture analysis

• Results of calculating integrated macroeconomic and agricultural indicators of Vietnam. 

• Guidance in reading and using statistical data in agriculture and rural development analysis.

• Status and proposals to improve the method of calculating the value of agriculture, forestry and fishery production output.

The training content is highly applicable and directly related to their responsibilities and assignments of many participants at their organizations and institutions. The training course provided background knowledge and understanding as well as calculation methods, the way to use macroeconomic indicators, agricultural sector indicators in research, analysis, monitoring and evaluation. The majority of participants felt more confident in their ability to use and analyze data. Many attendees requested IPSARD to continue organizing similar training workshops related to analysis and evaluation of statistical data for management and monitoring as well as policy and strategy formulation for the agricultural sector based on data evidences.