The recent workshop titled "Price Dynamics for Agriculture and Nutrition Policy: Advanced Analysis Using Stata to Explore and Utilize e-SOKO Market Price Data" organized by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources, was an important learning event for the development of using Rwanda’s e-Soko market price data for enhanced policy analysis. Held in Nyamata, Rwanda from May 29-31, 2024, the event brought together a diverse group of researchers, practitioners, academics, and policymakers. Key participants included representatives from the University of Rwanda's College of Agriculture, Animal Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Rwanda Youth in Agribusiness Forum, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, National Agricultural Export Development Board, and the Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources. At the conclusion of the workshop, participants decided to create an inter-ministerial task force for e-SOKO data government research to improve policy responses to market dynamics.
The workshop aimed to enhance participants' understanding and expertise in analyzing market price data and its application in shaping effective agriculture and nutrition policies. Understanding market price dynamics is crucial for developing sustainable and inclusive policies that foster efficient markets, bolster resilience to economic shocks, and improve food and nutrition outcomes. Recent global disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, have underscored the importance of real-time market and food price analysis for responsive policymaking.
Building upon introductory sessions held in November 2021, this workshop focused on advanced techniques in analyzing market price data using Stata, with a special emphasis on the e- SOKO platform. Managed by Rwanda's Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI), e- SOKO platform consolidates prices of agricultural commodities from 65 markets across all 30 districts of Rwanda. The platform collects daily data for approximately 140 commodities, including food commodities, agricultural inputs, cooking essentials, and livestock, providing a comprehensive dataset for multifaceted analyses.
Participants developed essential skills in leveraging this dataset for policy formulation, including forecasting food market conditions, analyzing demand elasticity and price sensitivities, identifying emerging trends and consumer preferences, and examining temporal and spatial price variations. This workshop significantly strengthened participants' abilities in market price analysis, poised to drive informed decision-making and positive outcomes in agriculture and nutrition policy.
During the workshop, Dr. Chantal Ingabire, Director General for Planning at the Ministry of Agriculture & Animal Resources, underscored the critical need to effectively utilize e- SOKO data. She emphasized that comprehending food price dynamics is essential for preemptive policy formulation, ensuring timely interventions benefit consumers, producers, and sellers. Dr. Ingabire proposed establishing a dedicated task force for e-SOKO data management to ensure rigorous data collection, cleanliness, and swift analysis using Stata.
Ms. Alice Mukamugema, Director General for Agricultural Value Chain Management Resources at MINAGRI, delivered both the opening and closing remarks. She highlighted the pivotal role of understanding e-SOKO data and expressed gratitude for IFPRI's steadfast collaboration with MINAGRI. Ms. Mukamugema reaffirmed her commitment by actively participating in the entire training session, aiming to enhance the utilization of e-SOKO data for informed policymaking.
By the workshop's conclusion, participants had developed advanced proficiency in cleaning and analyzing market price data using Stata. They gained expertise in distinguishing between nominal and real prices, adjusting for inflation or deflation, and interpreting price trends at national, regional, and district levels. Practical exercises and interactive dashboards were instrumental in enabling participants to apply their knowledge effectively, including scenario creation, policy brief generation, food price dashboard visualization, maize forecasting scenarios, and case studies utilizing e- SOKO data to analyze Burundi-Rwanda food price dynamics.
Dr. James Warner, IFPRI's program leader for Rwanda's RSSP office, expressed gratitude to participants and MINAGRI for their collaborative efforts in ensuring the workshop's success. He underscored IFPRI's commitment to ongoing capacity building and emphasized the importance of evidence-based solutions derived from datasets like e- SOKO to drive informed decision-making in agriculture and nutrition policy.
The success of this event underscores the critical importance of ongoing capacity building and knowledge sharing in agricultural and nutritional policy. It highlights the growing necessity for continuous enhancement in data analysis for policy development. Participants are now equipped to analyze and interpret market price data proficiently, contributing to the development of resilient and sustainable food systems in Rwanda and beyond. Future workshops will explore expanding data analytics tools beyond Stata, integrating real-time data sources, and examining the impact of external factors on local markets, such as global conflicts and pandemics. The establishment of a dedicated inter-ministerial task force for e-SOKO data oversight will further amplify this initiative's impact, ensuring swift and effective policy responses to market dynamics.
The event featured presentations from experts such as James Warner and Gilberthe Uwera Benimana. James Warner, a Research Fellow at IFPRI, leads Rwanda’s Strategy Support Program (RSSP) and brings extensive experience in analytical support and capacity building. Gilberthe Benimana Uwera, a Senior Research Analyst at IFPRI, focuses on the interplay between ecosystem dynamics, agricultural transformation, and sustainable food systems.
Authors:
Gilberthe Uwera Benimana, Senior Research Analyst in IFPRI’s Development Strategies and Governance Division, based in Kigali with the Rwanda Strategy Support Program.
Josue Niyonsingiza, Senior Research Analyst in IFPRI’s Development Strategies and Governance Division, based in Kigali with the Rwanda Strategy Support Program.
James Warner, Research Fellow in IFPRI’s Development Strategies and Governance Unit and the Program Leader for Rwanda Strategy Support Program.
Leave a Reply