A preliminary study of quantities and unit values of agricultural commodities at producer prices used in the compliation of national accounts in Africa

Abstract

Agriculture occupies a predominant place in the economies of the African countries. The survey- of Economic Conditions in Africa 1/ reveals that in 1966 -agriculture supported- three-quarters of the- population- contributed 36 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product and accounted for at least 60 per cent of the total export earnings received by the developing African countries. These figures demonstrate the vital necessity of according special importance to the agricultural sector and, as a consequence, of collecting the largest possible amount of information both on quantities produced and on producer prices. The evaluation of agricultural commodities in terms of quantity is very useful-, as it will enable us to establish the overall balance of items in food consumption by households and to examine the prospects of development.