A new and cost-effective tool for data production
AGRISurvey uses a new and cost effective approach to agricultural data collection that combines an annual core module on production that is collected every year and several rotating modules collected periodically. This approach addresses the country's needs in terms of data to understand its agricultural sector, including production, economic, environmental, and social factors. AGRISurvey was conceived to promote the AGRIS methodology developed by the Global Strategy to Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics. Similarly, an expanded methodological toolkit was developed in the context of the 50x2030 Initiative.
AGRIS methodology
AGRISurvey is a farm-based modular system of surveys that operates over a 10-year cycle.
The core module is an enhanced production survey that remains largely the same in each survey round. It collects essential structural data on holdings and households, and mainly addresses crop and livestock production inputs (including labour inputs), farm productivity, shocks and coping mechanisms and access to information. It also collects data on other activities of the holding (e.g. processing of agricultural products, handicrafts, etc.), production methods, share of agriculture in the overall income of the holding. The core module allows monitoring a set of key indicators on an annual basis, enabling the identification of trends and changes in a timely manner, and allowing the prediction of future scenarios and farmers’ expectations.
The rotating modules address specific themes, and the implementation frequency will vary among countries with different agricultural systems and data demand priorities.
The rotating economy module gathers information on the farm holding’s income through an inquiry upon revenues and expenses. It provides the necessary data to measure farm income, production costs and profitability for different production systems and farm types.
The rotating production methods and environment module gathers data that can be used to measure the sustainability of farms, environmental impacts and greenhouse gases emissions. In particular, data can be used to analyze the cost of production for different types of agricultural production methods.
The labour module aims to analyse labour force working in the holdings by category. It measures labour inputs in agriculture and it is useful to capture rural transformations (organization of labour on the farm, identification of age and
sex- specific roles, and household members’ participation in the work.
The rotating machinery, equipment, assets and decisions module provides information on different structural characteristics of holdings and improves knowledge on responsibilities and roles within the holding (quantity, value, and ownership of the equipment, decision making on the holding with a specific focus on gender).
As statistics on the role of women and their contribution in agriculture are scarce and often incomparable, AGRIS methodology tries to the extent possible to disaggregate data by sex and to focus on gender-relevant issues, such as decision making with the holding, specific roles of men and women, ownership and rights over land.
To know more, please consult the AGRIS handbook on the Agricultural Integrated Survey.