2. However, efforts to improve statistical information continue to be made and the various United Nations agencies have played an important role in encouraging and developing the collection and processing of more accurate statistical data. Studies are moreover under way to identify what data are actually available at the country level, however unreliable, with a view to having a more accurate picture of all aspects relating to the social and eocnomic. role of women in society with special reference to the agricultural sector. 3. The Lagos Plan of Action, in identifying the priority sectors where in the short-term investment can have a favourable and ap­ preciable impact on the economy of the region stresses the vital importance of agriculture and calls for efforts to be made to en­ dow the sector with the necessary resources. The importance of food production has been recognized and food self-sufficiency has been emphasized as a short-term priority. 4. Studies which attempt to define more specifically the role of women in socio-econoraic activities find their rightful place and. new justification in this context because they reveal the real development conditions, particularly in the agricultural sect-,r. Experience has shown that even though it is acknowledged that African women provide more than half of the agricultural labour force, up to now they have been ignored in development programmes and marginalized in more than one agricultural developr·t·nt project if such projects have net had the side effect of inert. as­ ing their work burden. In paragraphs 316 and 323, the Lagos nan of Action specifically calls for continuous research to pror.ote the recognition and documentation of women's contributiot: to agriculture as productive activity contributing to the gross 1a­ tional product, especially in terras of food supply. 5. This study gives an overview of the contribut1on of Afr~::an 
**Analysis**
The text appears to focus on the role of women in agriculture and the need for accurate statistical data to understand their contributions to the economy. The Lagos Plan of Action is mentioned, which emphasizes the importance of agriculture and food self-sufficiency. This suggests that the text is related to economic development and agriculture.

**Category**
Economic development, Agriculture, forestry and fishing