The document summarizes Lesotho's legal and institutional framework for its 2009/2010 Agricultural Census. Key points: 1) The Lesotho Bureau of Statistics Act of 2001 mandates the Bureau to conduct censuses and collect agricultural statistics. It specifies confidentiality requirements and penalties for non-compliance. 2) The 2009/2010 Census covered all districts of Lesotho and was funded mostly by the government. It had management committees and teams to oversee implementation. 3) Challenges included lack of trained staff, poorly demarcated areas, insufficient funds, and respondent reluctance. The 2019/2020 Census aims to address these through assistance, sensitization, increased funding, and refresher trainings.

1. Regional Roundtable on
World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2020
Nairobi, Kenya, 18-22 September 2017
Lesotho 2009/2010 Agricultural Census: Legal and institutional
framework
Technical session 18 (1)
1
Mathato Masemene Nomzwakhe Sephoko Mapitso Siimane
Chief Statistician Statistician Economic Planner
Bureau of Statistics Bureau of Statistics Ministry of Agriculture
masemene62@gmail.com tsephoko@yahoo.com mapitsosiimane@gmail.com

2. Contents
 Introduction
 Features of Legal Framework
 Census framework for 2009/10 Agricultural Census
 Structure of Census organisation
 Challenges
 Changes planned for 2019/20 Agricultural Census
2

3. Introduction
 Lesotho Bureau of Statistics (BOS) functions under the Lesotho
Bureau of Statistics Act 2001, (ACT NO. 8 OF 2001)
 Section 15(1) stipulates that the Minister of Development Planning
may, on the recommendation of the Council, direct, by Notice in
the Gazette, that a census be taken on any matter specified in the
Act, and such Notice may specify:
a) the dates on which or between which the census is to be
undertaken
b) the information to be obtained in the census
 Proclamation was issued by the Minister that the Census of
Agriculture for Lesotho was to be conducted between 1st August,
2009 to the 31st July, 2010 (census reference period/Agricultural
Year) 3

4. Features of Legal Framework
 The Act states confidentiality:
 Data collection
 Data dissemination
 Sanctions in failure to comply with confidentiality
4

5. Features of Legal Framework
cont
 Under the Act, it is an offense for public to:
 Impersonate BOS officer to obtain information,
 Falsely represent himself to be collecting data
under the Act
 Hinder or obstruct BOS authorised functions
 Refuse to answer questions or supply information
 Destroy, deface or mutilates any return or
document with particulars lawfully collected
5

6. Features of Legal Framework
cont
 Under the Act, it is an offense for Enumerators to:
 Ask improper or offensive questions
 Record falls data for issuing false statistics
 Publicise information for personal gain before such
information is made public
 Ask or receive as payment or reward for carrying
out BOS activity
 Fails to perform assigned duties under the Act
 Fails to comply with terms and condition of his
contract
6

7. Features of Legal Framework
cont
According to the Act BOS shall:
 Be the principal data collecting, processing, analyzing
and dissemination agency responsible for co-
coordinating, monitoring and supervising the National
Statistical System
 Establish standards and promote the use of best
practices and methods in the production and
dissemination of statistical information across the
National Statistical System (NSS)
 Through the Director, consult and cooperate with other
lead agencies having related duties or objectives
similar to those of BOS 7

8. Features of Legal Framework
cont
 BOS collaborates with other Institutions and
Agencies for the production and dissemination of
agricultural statistics:
 Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
 Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation
 Disaster Management Authority
 Food and Nutrition Coordinating Office
 Food and Agriculture Organisation etc.
8

9. Census framework for 2009/10
 Agricultural Census covered all ten districts of the
country
 It is conducted decennially by the BOS following
the Agricultural year (1st August to 31st July)
 Almost 97% of 2009/10 Agricultural Census budget
was supported by Lesotho Government
 Total budget was US$ 2,067,344.00
 FAO financed the visit of Gender expert for
assisting in tabulation plan of gender issues.
9

10. Structure of Census
organisation
 The power of conducting Census is vested on the
Minister of Development Planning
 The Director of BOS as the Census commissioner
 Provides policy guidelines and mobilizes all
necessary resources
 Responsible for the proper execution of the
Census plan with the assistance of the Census
committees
 Head of Agriculture Statistics Division as a deputy
Commissioner foresees the smooth running of
Agricultural Census
10

11. Structure of Census
organisation cont
 Census Committees and Teams for 2009/10 AC
 Senior Management Team
Comprises of all heads of divisions of BOS
oversees smooth execution of the Census and
attend to day-to-day problems
 Technical Committee
A multi-sectoral committee including key Ministries
as well as other relevant agencies, that advises on
the technical aspects of the Census, such as the
design and production of survey materials
11

12. Structure of Census
organisation cont
 Survey Committee
Responsible for overall planning and
implementation of the census, maintain a checklist
of all itemized activities in the work-plan to ensure
smooth undertaking of the Census
 Procurement and Logistics Team
Comprises of the BOS Administration, Human
Resource, Transport, Procurement and Accounts
offices, responsible for the logistics
12

13. Structure of Census
organisation cont
 Data Processing team
Designed data entry screen and supported in
electronic editing of the data.
 Analysis Team
Analysed data, produced and disseminated the
Census reports
13

14. Challenges
 Lack of Trained Agricultural Statisticians
 Some EAs were not well demarcated
 The 2009/10 Agricultural Census did not capture
gender issues
 Lack of funds resulted into a small sample size
 Respondents were reluctant to provide the
information
 Extensive process lead to poor participation of the
teams and committee members
14

15. Changes planned for 2019/20
AC
 Technical assistance
 Continuous sensitization of data providers and
users
 Financial support from development partners to
increase sample
 Ensure commitment of the committee and team
members
 Refresher trainings of field staff within Census
period
15

16. Thank You
1