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Overview
FAO’s Statistics Division is currently developing
the Programme for the 2010 round of agricultural censuses, covering
the period from 2005 to 2014. The programme is expected to be
finalized in 2005.
Past agricultural censuses programmes have been
very successful, but countries have faced increasing problems
in carrying out their censuses. Many countries find it difficult
to commit the necessary technical and financial resources to conduct
agricultural censuses in their present form. Countries also finding
it difficult to meet the increasing demands for data, especially
for complex topics such as food security and employment. The need
for the agricultural census to be integrated into the overall
agricultural statistics system is also recognized. The coordination
of the population and agricultural censuses is another important
issue.
A new agricultural census methodology has been developed
for the programme for the 2010 round of agricultural censuses,
following a review of country experiences and an evaluation of
data needs. The agricultural census will be the centre-piece of
the system of integrated agricultural censuses and surveys, with
the agricultural surveys to be carried out based on sampling frames
provided by the agricultural census. A modular approach is to
be used for the agricultural census. A core census module, to
be carried out on a complete enumeration or large sample basis,
will provide data for a small number of key items; and one or
more census supplementary modules, to be carried out on a sample
basis, will collect more in-depth data.
Features of the new agricultural census programme
are:
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As in previous rounds, the 2010 round of agricultural censuses
will mainly focus on measuring structural aspects of crop
and livestock production. However, provision will also be
made for countries to expand the scope of the census to cover
other rural households, if required. The option to include
all aquaculture holdings will also be provided.
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The programme will recommend data items for inclusion in
the census under two headings: census items suitable for complete
enumeration in the core census module, and census items suitable
for sample enumeration in the census supplementary modules.
A country may wish to include in its core census module additional
items from the sample enumeration list, as required to meet
national data needs.
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It is expected that countries will collect a wider range
of data in the 2010 round of agricultural censuses than in
previous programmes, but at a lower cost. This will be possible
because of the modular approach: more in-depth data will be
collected in the sample-based supplementary modules.
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The following changes to the recommended data content of the
census are under consideration:
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additional items on irrigation such as crop type, method
of irrigation, sources of irrigation, payment terms for
irrigation, and other water management facilities;
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new items on special cultivation methods such as organic
farming, GM crops, and good agricultural practices;
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new items on livestock population dynamics;
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new items on access to services;
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improvements in the employment items to reflect working
patterns in rural areas and to better conform to international
standards;
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the inclusion of household food security as a new topic;
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more detailed data on aquaculture, including type of site,
production facility, type of water, source of water, and
type of product.
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A new element in the 2010 round of agricultural censuses
will be the collection of data at the community level, such
as the village. This will include data on infra-structure
and other community level services.
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The statistical unit for the agricultural census, the agricultural
holding, will remain the same as in previous programmes. Additional
holding related concepts may be introduced to better reflect
the role of household members in farm management, especially
in relation to women.
As well as the agricultural census, the Statistics Division will
also be working on methodologies for the agricultural survey programme,
with particular attention to links with the agricultural census.
A number of topics or themes will be chosen for detailed investigation.
Possible topics include cost of production, time use and income.
The Statistics Division plans to issue a series
of publications to provide guidelines to countries for implementing
the world programme for the 2010 round of agricultural censuses.
These will be part of FAO’s Statistical Development Series.
The first publication, presenting recommendations on the methodology,
concepts, definitions, classifications and output tables for the
agricultural census, is expected to become available during the
second half of 2005, initially in English, French and Spanish.
Further publications providing information on specific aspects
of the system of agricultural surveys will be issued later.
Technical documents prepared
as part of the development of the programme for the 2010 round
of agricultural censuses will be posted on this site as they become
available.
ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOMED
Mr Hiek Som,
Chief, Surveys and Statistical Development Service
Statistics Division, Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO)
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 00100, Rome, Italy
Fax: +39 06 57055615
Hiek.Som@fao.org
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