Page 6 - World Food and Agriculture – Statistical Yearbook 2021

FOREWORD

Timely, accurate and high-quality data and statistics are the cornerstone of solid policy design, where decisions
are based on hard evidence, and monitoring and evaluation rely on strong statistical systems. This has become
all the more critical as governments around the world commit to major sectoral and national development
plans, as well as regional and global development agendas. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic, while
hampering national capacities to collect data, has emphasized the pressing need for data and statistics to
inform timely responses and monitor trends.

Statistical work has been at the core of FAO’s activities and mandate since the Organization was founded in 1945,
supporting its Members in eliminating hunger, improving nutrition, eradicating rural poverty, and promoting
inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems. FAO is a leading provider of internationally comparable data
on food, nutrition and agriculture, which are gathered from national statistical offices and its network of partner
agencies, and harmonized to paint a global picture. All of these data are summarized in this Statistical Yearbook.

The FAO Statistical Yearbook was revamped in 2020 on the occasion of FAO’s 75th anniversary, underscoring
the importance that FAO assigns to data and statistics as a global public good at the core of our efforts
to advance sustainable development. In 2021 the publication has been consolidated as a primary tool and
indispensable reference for policy makers, researchers and analysts, as well as laypersons interested in the
past, present and future paths of food and agriculture.

Drawing on the wealth of information that FAO statisticians produce across the Organization, this publication,
prepared by the Statistics Division, offers a synthesis of the major factors at play in the global food and
agricultural landscape. Statistics are presented in four thematic chapters, covering the economic importance
of agricultural activities; inputs, outputs and factors of production; their implications for food security and
nutrition; and their impacts on the environment.

This Statistical Yearbook is only one of a series of tools and statistical publications that FAO provides to
users. The freely accessible FAOSTAT data platform contains the largest statistical database on food and
agriculture in the world, with approximately 20 000 indicators covering more than 245 countries and territories,
and around 2 000 000 users each year. The Statistical Yearbook is accompanied by the shorter Statistical
Pocketbook, which provides a quick and easy reference to the main facts and trends in food and agriculture.

In addition to compiling and disseminating data, FAO is also involved in strengthening the statistical capacity
of countries in order to produce more and better data; setting standards and methodologies; and leveraging
big data innovations. FAO is committed to ensuring free access to current, reliable, timely and trusted data,
necessary to chart a course towards a more sustainable agriculture and a world free of hunger.

José Rosero Moncayo
Director, Statistics Division

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