World Census of Agriculture - Development of the 2010 Agricultural Census Programme
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: -
additional items on irrigation such as crop type, method of irrigation, sources of irrigation, payment terms for irrigation, and other water management facilities; -
new items on special cultivation methods such as organic farming, GM crops, and good agricultural practices; -
new items on livestock population dynamics; -
new items on access to services; -
improvements in the employment items to reflect working patterns in rural areas and to better conform to international standards; -
the inclusion of household food security as a new topic; -
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
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