“Statistics Day” is celebrated every year on 29th June to mark the birth anniversary of late Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, the Father of Indian Statistics, in recognition of his valuable contribution in the fields of statistics and economic planning

The objective of this Day is to create public awareness, especially among the younger generation about the role and importance of statistics in socio-economic planning and policy formulation. Every year one particular theme of current national importance is selected for intensive and focused efforts are made throughout the year to fill the data gaps, improve timeliness and quality of data related to it.

The 10th Statistics Day 2016 was celebrated all over India on the theme ‘Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare’ by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This will complement the focus on farmer centric programmes of the Government of India and promote the development of relevant agricultural and rural statistics. State Governments, Offices of National Sample Survey spread throughout the country, Indian Statistical Institute, Universities/Departments also participated by organizing Seminars, Conferences, Debates, Quiz Programmes, Lecture Series and Essay Competitions.

On this occasion, National Award in Statistics, constituted in the Honour of Prof. P. V. Sukhatme was conferred on Dr. T. J. Rao, former Professor Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) Kolkata and currently Adjunct Professor, C. R. Rao, Advanced Institute of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science (AIMSCS), Hyderabad for his contribution to theoretical and applied Statistics as well as contribution to the Official Statistical System.

Dr. R.B. Barman, Chairman, National Statistical Commission, in his address, stressed upon the need to focus on farmers’ welfare through use of statistics, as the data gives insight on input, output, yield, estimation, global standards and efficiency of various schemes. He also called upon to act on the challenges faced by the agriculture labourers and to address them sincerely.

Dr. T C A Anant, Secretary, Statistics & Programme Implementation and Chief Statistician of India while welcoming the Guests, focused on the increased attention towards agricultural productivity and statistics being instrumental in making well informed decisions about policies, programmes and projects and the intention to work in consultation with Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare towards strengthening the Agriculture database.

Gen.(Dr.) V.K. Singh, Hon’ble Minister of State, Statistics & PI(IC) and Ministry of External Affairs mentioned about agriculture being the single largest provider of employment and UN also recognizing its importance and making sustainable agriculture as one of the 17 SDGs.

In his inaugural address, Shri Radha Mohan Singh, Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare stressed upon the need for increasing the agricultural productivity. He called upon that the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation being nodal in the field of statistics, the Ministry should work closely with State Governments so that agriculture statistics is available on timely manner which can be used for decision making and planning. He also mentioned about initiatives of Modi Government for making special efforts to increase the income of farmers through blue revolution be keeping national forestry etc. schemes.

Agricultural statistics drive policy decisions, urging improved data quality and coordination to support farmer welfare. Statistics Day 2016 focused on strengthening agricultural statistics to inform farmer-centric policy by filling data gaps, improving timeliness and data quality, and promoting coordination between the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, Ministry of Agriculture and state governments to build a robust agriculture database and enhance the official statistical system.