Abstract

The Census of agriculture is defined to be a government sponsored large-scale Island-wide operation for the collection and derivation of quantitative statistical information on the structure of the agriculture, using agricultural holding as the unit of enumeration and referring to a single agricultural year.

The Census of Agriculture and Livestock is a large scale undertaking designed to

         Collect and disaggregate statistical data at lower administrative division level needed for planning, 
         Establish benchmark data on the structure in order to evaluate the progress of agricultural sector
         Prepare a frame of agricultural holdings, agricultural households etc. for the purpose of conducting 
         sample surveys during the intercensal period.

The Census of Agriculture and Livestock conducted during the period from August – October 2002 is the latest in the series of Censuses. The extent of land operated for the purpose of agricultural crops and livestock have been enumerated in this Census. Such agricultural land were grouped into two categories viz. (a) Small Holdings (b) Estate or Large holdings

There were about 3.3 million holdings in the "Small Holdings sector" out of which 1.5 million was enumerated in the category of less than 40 perches in extent. The rest 1.8 million was found to be more than 40 perches or their produce is mainly devoted for sale purposes.

Geographic coverage

National Coverage Urban and Rural Separate enumaration for Estate Sector The extent of land operated for the purpose of agricultural crops and livestock have been enumerated in this Census. Such agricultural land were grouped in to two categories viz.

                           (a) Small Holdings
                           (b) Estate or Large holdings

Analysis unit

Individuals

Note: - Operator basis Data set: In this data set the operator does the agricultural work in the same District where he resides.

Agricultural Operator, Agricultural Holding

(1) Agricultural Operator

An agricultural operator is the person responsible for operating the agricultural land and /or livestock. He/She may carry out the agricultural operations by himself/herself or with the assistance of others or simply direct day-to-day operations. Here the Operator cultivates the land and/or tends the livestock himself. or He/she may do so with the assistance of hired labour or any other persons. or He/She may simply direct operations by taking decisions only.

It is important to note that the operator need not necessarily be the owner of the land or livestock and also that mere ownership does not entitle a person to be considered as an operator. This means that a person may attend to all the work needed to cultivate a land or tend livestock, but will not be considered the operator, if there is some one else directing day to day work on the holding. It also means that a person may supervise the work in a holding appearing for all purposes to be in charge of the operations of the holding, but if there is someone else who is giving day to day directions, he/she does not become the operator.

In respect of livestock, any person who is actually responsible for the management of livestock in the same way that a land operator is responsible for his holding will be considered as the operator. The livestock may be owned, obtained on "Ande" or lease or any other form of arrangement. While most livestock operators will also be land operators, there would be cases of livestock operators who are not land operators and therefore they may have no land holding. The term agricultural operator includes both land operator as well as purely livestock or poultry operator. While most of the operators have only one holding, there could be cases of an operator having more than one holding.

(2) Agricultural Holding An agricultural holding consists of all land and/or livestock used wholly or partly for agricultural production and is operated under one operational status and situated within one Divisional Secretariat. (D.S.) Division subject to the following conditions:

                One holding may consist of one or more parcels.
                Does not matter whether operator owns the land or not.
                Does not matter whether the land is operated legally or not.
                Holding may consist only crops, only livestock or crops and livestock.
                Does not matter whether the land is very marginal or big in size.
                Holding may consist only paddy, only highlands or paddy and highlands.

However, should any land is situated outside the D.S.division where the operator is resided, it could be considered as a separate agricultural holding taking into account of above conditions.

Universe

There were about 3.3 million holdings in the "Small Holdings sector" out of which 1.5 million was enumerated in the category of less than 40 perches in extent. The rest 1.8 million was found to be more than 40 perches or their produce is mainly devoted for sale purposes.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire was published both in Sinhala / Tamil languages. Main sections were: Identification Information Agricultural Operator Agricultural Holding Extent under permanent crops Seasonal crops Agriculture Machinery/Equipment Livestock Other Information Land Utilization

Cleaning operations

Data editing took place at a number of stages throughout the processing, including:

a) Manual editing and coding b) During data entry (Range edits) c) Computer editing - Structural and consistency d) Secondary editing e) Imputations

Detailed documentation of the editing of data can be found in the "Data processing guidelines" document provided as an external resource. -To data entry and computer editing used IMPS software package developed by the US Bureau of the Census.

Abstract

Agriculture plays an important role in India's economy. It provides gainful employment to a large section of population of the country, particularly, the rural population. It contributes to the socio-cultural development of the farming community. The land holding provides them the confidence and strength to stay and survive in the society. In view of the importance of agriculture, Government of India has been conducting comprehensive Agriculture Censuses for collection of data on structure and characteristics of agricultural holdings, as part of World Census of Agriculture Programme since 1970-71. Operational holding, being the basic unit of decision-making in agriculture, detailed data on structure of agricultural holdings and its characteristics are necessary for formulation of any meaningful and effective strategy for agricultural development.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The statistical unit was the operational holding, defined as an entity comprising all land that is used wholly or partly for agricultural production and is operated as one technical unit by one person alone or with others, without regard to the title, legal form, size or location. A technical unit was defined as the unit that is under the same management and has the same means of production, such as labour force, machinery, animals, credit, etc. The operated area includes both cultivated and uncultivated area, provided that a part of it is put to agricultural production during the reference period.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

(a) Sampling design For the collection of data in the Agriculture Census, an approach of Census-cum-sample survey has been adopted. Various States in the country have been grouped in to two categories i.e. land record States and non-land record States. Those States where comprehensive land records are maintained giving information on land and its utilization, cropping pattern etc are called land record States and those States where such information is not maintained in the form of land-records are called nonland record States. In land record States data on Agriculture Census is pooled for all the parcels of an operational holding irrespective of its location. However, for operational convenience the outer limit for pooling is restricted to taluka. This pooling is done for each operational holder in the village of his residence. In the non-land record States the data is collected through sample survey following household enquiry approach in 20% of villages in each block. In these selected villages, all the operational holdings are enumerated following household enquiry approach.Thus in land record States no sampling is resorted to for data collection for the number and area of operational holdings and in nonland record States sampling of villages in each block/taluka is resorted to

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Three questionnaires were used, one for each of the three phases of the census:

· Phase I questionnaire, for collecting data on number and area of operational holdings, according to the prescribed size classes2 for different social groups,3 types of holdings' and gender.

· Phase II questionnaire, for collecting data on: (i) dispersal of holdings; (ii) tenancy and terms of leasing; (iii) land utilization; (iv) irrigation status and source-wise area irrigated; (v) cropping pattern

· Phase III questionnaire, for collecting additional data.

The AC 2011 questionnaires covered 12 items of the 16 core items recommended for the WCA 2010 round. The exceptions were: (i) "Presence of aquaculture on the holding" (ii) "Other economic production activities of the holding's enterprise" (iii) "Number of animals on the holding for each livestock type" (iv) "Presence of forests and other woodland on the holding"

See questionnaire in external materials.

Cleaning operations

(a) DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING In-house software was developed for data entry and processing of census data. Data entry, data validation and error correction, the generation of trial tables, and the generation of final tables and their examination by states or UTs took place according to the three phases of the census. All questionnaires were manually scrutinized by the statistical staff before they were submitted for data entry. Data are archived at tehsil level and are available in the public domain. The data entry and processing software included checks of census data for inconsistencies and mismatch.

Data appraisal

Census data are compiled at the national and tehsil level. The All India Report of Agriculture Census 2010-2011 is based on the data collected during Phase-II of the Census. The detailed data of AC 2010/2011 results are available on the website of the Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers' Welfare.

Abstract

The Census of agriculture is defined to be a government sponsored large-scale Island-wide operation for the collection and derivation of quantitative statistical information on the structure of the agriculture, using agricultural holding as the unit of enumeration and referring to a single agricultural year.

The Census of Agriculture and Livestock is a large scale undertaking designed to

         Collect and disaggregate statistical data at lower administrative division level needed for planning, 
         Establish benchmark data on the structure in order to evaluate the progress of agricultural sector
         Prepare a frame of agricultural holdings, agricultural households etc. for the purpose of conducting 
         sample surveys during the intercensal period.

The Census of Agriculture and Livestock conducted during the period from August – October 2002 is the latest in the series of Censuses. The extent of land operated for the purpose of agricultural crops and livestock have been enumerated in this Census. Such agricultural land were grouped into two categories viz. (a) Small Holdings (b) Estate or Large holdings

There were about 3.3 million holdings in the "Small Holdings sector" out of which 1.5 million was enumerated in the category of less than 40 perches in extent. The rest 1.8 million was found to be more than 40 perches or their produce is mainly devoted for sale purposes.

Geographic coverage

National Coverage Urban and Rural Separate enumaration for Estate Sector The extent of land operated for the purpose of agricultural crops and livestock have been enumerated in this Census. Such agricultural land were grouped in to two categories viz.

                           (a) Small Holdings
                           (b) Estate or Large holdings

Analysis unit

Individuals

Note: - Operator basis Data set: In this data set the operator does the agricultural work in the same District where he resides.

Agricultural Operator, Agricultural Holding

(1) Agricultural Operator

An agricultural operator is the person responsible for operating the agricultural land and /or livestock. He/She may carry out the agricultural operations by himself/herself or with the assistance of others or simply direct day-to-day operations. Here the Operator cultivates the land and/or tends the livestock himself. or He/she may do so with the assistance of hired labour or any other persons. or He/She may simply direct operations by taking decisions only.

It is important to note that the operator need not necessarily be the owner of the land or livestock and also that mere ownership does not entitle a person to be considered as an operator. This means that a person may attend to all the work needed to cultivate a land or tend livestock, but will not be considered the operator, if there is some one else directing day to day work on the holding. It also means that a person may supervise the work in a holding appearing for all purposes to be in charge of the operations of the holding, but if there is someone else who is giving day to day directions, he/she does not become the operator.

In respect of livestock, any person who is actually responsible for the management of livestock in the same way that a land operator is responsible for his holding will be considered as the operator. The livestock may be owned, obtained on "Ande" or lease or any other form of arrangement. While most livestock operators will also be land operators, there would be cases of livestock operators who are not land operators and therefore they may have no land holding. The term agricultural operator includes both land operator as well as purely livestock or poultry operator. While most of the operators have only one holding, there could be cases of an operator having more than one holding.

(2) Agricultural Holding An agricultural holding consists of all land and/or livestock used wholly or partly for agricultural production and is operated under one operational status and situated within one Divisional Secretariat. (D.S.) Division subject to the following conditions:

                One holding may consist of one or more parcels.
                Does not matter whether operator owns the land or not.
                Does not matter whether the land is operated legally or not.
                Holding may consist only crops, only livestock or crops and livestock.
                Does not matter whether the land is very marginal or big in size.
                Holding may consist only paddy, only highlands or paddy and highlands.

However, should any land is situated outside the D.S.division where the operator is resided, it could be considered as a separate agricultural holding taking into account of above conditions.

Universe

There were about 3.3 million holdings in the "Small Holdings sector" out of which 1.5 million was enumerated in the category of less than 40 perches in extent. The rest 1.8 million was found to be more than 40 perches or their produce is mainly devoted for sale purposes.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The questionnaire was published both in Sinhala / Tamil languages. Main sections were: Identification Information Agricultural Operator Agricultural Holding Extent under permanent crops Seasonal crops Agriculture Machinery/Equipment Livestock Other Information Land Utilization

Cleaning operations

Data editing took place at a number of stages throughout the processing, including:

a) Manual editing and coding b) During data entry (Range edits) c) Computer editing - Structural and consistency d) Secondary editing e) Imputations

Detailed documentation of the editing of data can be found in the "Data processing guidelines" document provided as an external resource. -To data entry and computer editing used IMPS software package developed by the US Bureau of the Census.

Abstract

The Census Agropecuario Nacional 2008 (CAN 2008), provides an updated diagnosis of the sector. The study aims to establish useful parameters that will allow to learn more about the reality of the agricultural situation in Paraguay. The results presented at the country level will be compared with the data of the 1991 National Agricultural Census (CAN 1991) in order to facilitate comparison and analysis of the information; at that level it presents the variation in percentage (%). In addition, the edition of information by size of farms, region and departments.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The statistical unit was the agricultural holding, defined as all land wholly or partly used for agricultural production and operated as one technical unit under a single management or together with others, without regard to title, legal form, size or location. Two types of holdings are included in the definition: those "with land" (conventional holdings) and those "without land", for which the land is not a substantial input for production and the holdings are engaged in livestock farming.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

i. Methodological modality for conducting the census The CA 2008 was carried out using the classical approach. The census enumeration was conducted in two stages, to ensure full coverage.

ii. Frame The census frame was the cartography prepared in the pre-census phase.

iii. Complete and/or sample enumeration methods A complete enumeration of holdings above the established thresholds was used in the CA 2008.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

One questionnaire was used for data collection on:

(a) Agricultural farm (b) Agricultural activity (c) Estate farms (d) Agricultural producer

The CA 2008 covered 14 of the 16 core items recommended in the 2010 WCA. The following core items were not covered by the CA: (i) "Presence of aquaculture on the holding" (ii) "Presence of irrigation on the holding"

Cleaning operations

(a) DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING Data entry was done manually, by the recruited operators. Validation was carried out using a computer data validation program. Imputations were done by means of automatic allocation, based on the means of district production averages. The SPSS programme was used, based on the tabulated design of the 1991 census for comparability. The archives are placed on a central server and are managed through networks.

(b) CENSUS DATA QUALITY A PES was conducted in February 2009 in four departments and seven districts to evaluate the quality of the data.

Abstract

A yearly Farm Structure Survey is organised in Luxembourg since 1953. This survey is used to meet the requirements of the European FSS. Until 2009 included, this survey was organised as a census with an indirect collection mode (i.e. via municipalities). For the reference year 2010, Luxembourg organised a direct data collection to satisfy the requirements of the Regulation (EC) no 1166/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on farm structure surveys and the survey on agricultural production methods and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 571/88 (hereafter referred to as “the Regulation”).

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The statistical unit was the agricultural holding, defined as a single unit, both technically and economically, which has a single management and which undertakes agricultural activities listed in Annex I to the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 1166/2008 within the economic territory of the EU, as either its primary or secondary activity. The thresholds established for statistical units in the AC are presented in section 7.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

The frame was established based on the Register of Agricultural Holdings of the MoA, managed by the SER. The AC 2010 was conducted based on the complete enumeration of agricultural holdings that met national definition of statistical unit.

Mode of data collection

Mail Questionnaire [mail]

Research instrument

There was a single detailed census questionnaire for all holdings, irrespective of their size, consolidating the questions from both the AC and the SAPM. The survey questionnaires were sent directly to agricultural holdings via the SER, together with the subsidy application forms, and then returned by post to STATEC via the SER. The questionnaire covered all 16 core items recommended in the WCA 2010.

0001 Identification and location of agricultural holding 0002+ Legal status of agricultural holder 0003 Sex of agricultural holder 0004 Age of agricultural holder 0005 Household size 0006 Main purpose of production of the holding 0007 Area of holding according to land use types 0008 Total area of holding 0009 Land tenure types on the holding 0010 Presence of irrigation on the holding 0011 Types of temporary crops on the holding 0012 Types of permanent crops on the holding and whether in compact plantation 0013 Number of animals on the holding for each livestock type 0014 Presence of aquaculture on the holding 0015+ Presence of forest and other wooded land on the holding 0016 Other economic production activities of the holding's enterprise

Cleaning operations

a. DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING Data entry of the survey questionnaires was done by the STATEC staff from July 2010 onwards, using the BLAISE software tool for managing survey forms. Data entry involved manual inputting of data. In autumn 2010, the administrative sources obtained through the SER were combined with the survey data using an official common identifier form a combined micro data set. Microdata validation was performed at STATEC to check the accuracy and plausibility of both the survey and the administrative data. Item nonresponse was addressed using cold-deck imputation, hot deck imputation and, to a lesser extent, ratio imputation as well as deductive imputation.

b. CENSUS DATA QUALITY The unit nonresponse rate was 2.7 percent. The administrative data of the SER were tested for multiple listing and misclassification errors.

Data appraisal

The AC 2010 publications, data and tables are all available online on the Luxembourg statistics portal.

Abstract

Census of Agriculture 2010 was conducted by Statistics Norway, Division for Primary Industry Statistics. The census was organized as a separate project in the division in the period 2008-2012. Complete censuses have been conducted about every tenth year since 1907. The Census of Agriculture 2010 comprised:

• A combined questionnaire and register-based census of 46 624 agricultural holdings
• A register-based census of 189 000 agricultural properties

The census covered both national and international user needs. Norway is obliged to report data on holdings to EU’s statistical office Eurostat in accordance with the EEA Agreement. This reporting was completed within the deadline set by Eurostat. Common data requirements, including a new typology for agricultural holdings, make it possible to present comparable statistics for all EU and EEA countries. Chapter 9 contains such statistics.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The statistical unit was the agricultural holding, defined as a single unit, both technically and economically, which has a single management and which undertakes agricultural activities listed in annex Ito the European Parliament and Council Regulation (EC) No. 1166/2008 within the economic territory of the EU, as either its primary or secondary activity.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

The classical approach was used in the CA 2010. Some census data were collected directly from administrative registers. The frame was the list of agricultural holdings which is annually updated by the SN on the basis of several administrative and statistical sources. The 2010 CA was conducted by complete enumeration of all known agricultural holdings.

Mode of data collection

Mail Questionnaire [mail]

Research instrument

Four questionnaires were used for the CA. The census covered all 16 core items recommended in the WCA 2010.

Main questionnaire:

• Agricultural activity on the holding
• Renewable energy
• Labout input
• Age of meadow
• Drainage
• Irrigation

Cleaning operations

a. DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING The division for data processing retrieved the data by means of OCR, using the Eyes and Hands Software. Data were then loaded in an Oracle database. For data processing, DYNAREV was used. Due to missing or incorrect data items, follow-up contacts to the respondents by phone or e-mail were necessary.

b. CENSUS DATA QUALITY Final checks were done on aggregated results. Aggregates of various characteristics were compared with results from previous surveys. Conformity checks at holding level between the census and the applications for governmental production subsidies were important. The items focused upon were type of holder (natural person - group holding - legal person) and the size of the UAA.

Data appraisal

The presentation of preliminary results started on Internet in December 2010, while the first final results were presented in July 2011. The Internet is the main dissemination medium of statistics produced by the SN and tables and publications are all available free of charge on the SN website.

Abstract

A census is another term for a complete statistical observation. This means that the observation includes all units of the observed population, which is studied by statistical methods. Therefore, censuses are important and extensive statistical surveys and are carried out over longer intervals. All this also applies to the census of agriculture. Agricultural census is carried out every ten years, and it is important primarily because the comparison of data from several censuses gives insight into the structural changes of Slovenian agriculture in the last ten years and between the decades. The last agricultural census was carried out by the Statistical Office of Slovenia in 2010. Since this census was conducted on the basis of uniform methodology of the European Union, the findings may be compared with the results of the agricultural holdings in other Member States of the European Union. This gives special value to census results. Data users in the area of agriculture cannot wait to receive these data, also because only in this extensive survey every ten years sufficiently detailed data are collected to show the results at lower territorial levels, for example at the level of regions and municipalities.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The statistical unit was the agricultural holding, defined as a single unit, both technically and economically, which has a single management and which undertakes agricultural activities within the economic territory of the EU, as either its primary or secondary activity.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

The AC 2010 was conducted on a complete enumeration basis. The list of agricultural holdings was fully based on the Statistical Farm Register (SFR).

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

One consolidated electronic questionnaire was used to collect information for both the AC 2010 and the SAPM. The census questionnaire covered all 16 core items recommended in the WCA 2010. The following data were collected in the AC 2010:

• land owned and land used by agricultural holdings • crop areas • horticulture • irrigation • number of livestock by categories • labour force • other gainful activities • forestry • machinery and equipment • support for rural development • data on agricultural production methods

Cleaning operations

a. DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING SAS was used for data editing and estimation of sampling errors. The imputations were applied using the following methods: logical correction, hot deck, structural hot deck and average values.

b. CENSUS DATA QUALITY The AC 2010 results were reconciled with all the available data sources. If data were inconsistent, they were examined and, if necessary they were revised. Records from some interviews were checked using CATI.

Data appraisal

The census results were disseminated gradually. The first preliminary census results were released in September 2010, followed by the dissemination of census information in March and September 2011. The final AC results, including the detailed data in the web database, were disseminated in March 2012. The dissemination of the AC data was done mainly through electronic publications and the Internet portal. In addition, researchers may have access to the AC 2010 micro data under specific conditions. Instructions concerning access to and use of statistically protected microdata are available on the SURS website.

Abstract

For 156 years (1840 - 1996), the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census was responsible for collecting census of agriculture data. The 1997 Appropriations Act contained a provision that transferred the responsibility for the census of agriculture from the Bureau of the Census to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The 2007 Census of Agriculture is the 27th Federal census of agriculture and the third conducted by NASS. The first agriculture census was taken in 1840 as part of the sixth decennial census of population. The agriculture census continued to be taken as part of the decennial census through 1950. A separate middecade census of agriculture was conducted in 1925, 1935, and 1945. From 1954 to 1974, the census was taken for the years ending in 4 and 9. In 1976, Congress authorized the census of agriculture to be taken for 1978 and 1982 to adjust the data reference year so that it coincided with other economic censuses. This adjustment in timing established the agriculture census on a 5-year cycle collecting data for years ending in 2 and 7. Agriculture census data are used to:

• Evaluate, change, promote, and formulate farm and rural policies and programs that help agricultural producers; • Study historical trends, assess current conditions, and plan for the future; • Formulate market strategies, provide more efficient production and distribution systems, and locate facilities for agricultural communities; • Make energy projections and forecast needs for agricultural producers and their communities; • Develop new and improved methods to increase agricultural production and profitability; • Allocate local and national funds for farm programs, e.g. extension service projects, agricultural research, soil conservation programs, and land-grant colleges and universities; • Plan for operations during drought and emergency outbreaks of diseases or infestations of pests. • Analyze and report on the current state of food, fuel, feed, and fiber production in the United States.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

Universe

The statistical unit for the CA 2012 was the farm, an operating unit defined as any place from which USD 1 000 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the census year.

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

i. Methodological modality for conducting the census The classical approach was used in the CA 2012.

ii. Frame NASS maintains a list of farmers and ranchers from which the CML is compiled.

iii. Complete and/or sample enumeration methods The CA 2012 was an enumeration of all known agricultural holdings meeting the USDA definition of a farm.

Mode of data collection

Mail Questionnaire [mail]

Research instrument

Seven regionalized versions of the main report form (questionnaire) were used for the CA 2012. The report form versions were designed to facilitate reporting on the crops most commonly grown within each report form region. Additionally, an American Indian report form was developed to facilitate reporting for operations on reservations in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. All of the forms allowed respondents to write in specific commodities that were not listed on their form.

• Land owned
• Land use
• Irrigation
• Conservation programs and crop insurance
• Field crops
• Bananas, coffee, pineapples and plantain crops
• Hay and forage crops
• Nursery, Greenhouse, Floriculture, Sod and tree seedlings
• Vegetables and melons
• Hydroponic crops
• Fruit
• Root crops
• Cattle and calves
• Poultry
• Hogs and pigs
• Aquaculture
• Other animals and livestock products
• Value of sales
• Organic agriculture
• Federal and commonwealth agricultural program payments
• Income from farm-related sources
• Production expenses
• Farm labour
• Fertilizer and chemicals applied
• Market value of land and buildings
• Machinery, equipment and buildings
• Practices
• Type of organization
• Operator characteristics

The CA 2012 covered all 16 core items recommended to be collected in the WCA 2010. See questionnaire in external materials.

Cleaning operations

1. DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING The completed forms were scanned and Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) was used to retrieve categorical responses and to identify the other answer zones in which some type of mark was present. The edit system determined the best value to impute for reported responses that were deemed unreasonable and for required responses that were absent. The complex edit ensured the full internal consistency of the record. After tabulation and review of the aggregates, a comprehensive disclosure review was conducted. Cell suppression was used to protect the cells that were determined to be sensitive to a disclosure of information.

2. CENSUS DATA QUALITY NASS conducted an extensive program to follow-up all non-response. NASS also used capture-recapture methodology to adjust for under-coverage, non-response, and misclassification. To implement capture-recapture methods, two independent surveys were required --the 2012 Census of Agriculture (based on the Census Mail List) and the 2012 June Agricultural Survey (based on the area frame). Historically, NASS has been careful to maintain the independence of these two surveys.

Data appraisal

The complete data series from the 2012 Census of Agriculture is available from the NASS website free of charge in multiple formats, including Quick Stats 2.0 - an online database to retrieve customized tables with Census data at the national, state and county levels. The 2012 Census of Agriculture provides information on a range of topics, including agricultural practices, conservation, organic production, as well as traditional and specialty crops.

Abstract

The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development (MoALD), and the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), with technical and financial assistance of FAO, have jointly conducted a pilot survey in the framework of AGRIS Program in Chitwan district with its affluence of agricultural diversity. It has adopted Production Method and Environment (PME) Module as rotating module along with Core Module for the pilot study as developed by FAO. Along with the piloting of the AGRISurvey Program initiated by FAO, the objective of the survey is to measure key indicators related to area and volume of agriculture production capturing the social, economic and technical dimensions of the holdings as well as providing data to monitor some farm-based indicators of Sustainable Development Goals. The statistical unit of the survey is agriculture holdings satisfying the certain specified conditions. The survey has adopted a dual approach of taking both types of agriculture activities-registered (as commercial farming) and non-registered activities operated in household and non-household sectors. Information on the household sector is collected through a representative sample of agricultural households selected with a stratified two-stage sampling design whereas a stratified simple random sample of non-household farms is selected and interviewed. The result is the outcome of collaborative efforts of all the stakeholders involved in the survey. The AGRISurvey program promotes the adoption of an integrated and modular approach, namely the AGRIS method, developed under the Global Strategy for the Improvement of Agricultural and Rural Statistics (GSARS).

Geographic coverage

The survey provides representative data at distrit and municipality level for Chitwan district and Khairahani municipality of the Chitwan district.

Analysis unit

Agricultural holdings

Universe

The survey covers both commercial and non-commercial algriculture holdings in Chitwan district.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

In the framework of the Agriculture Integrated Survey (AGRISurvey) programme, the pilot agricultural survey covers agricultural holdings in both household and non-household sectors in the district of Chitwan. At the same time, one of the local units (Khairahani Municipality) is also taken as a separate domain to produce estimates at local level. The Khairahani Municipality is one of the seven Palikas (local Governments) in the Chitwan district.

Information on the household sector was collected through a representative sample of agricultural households selected with a stratified two-stage sampling design. The sampling frame of the primary sampling units (enumeration areas) was developed with stratification information using data from the Nepal Population Census 2011. Listing operations were implemented in the selected EAs for selecting a sample of agricultural households (secondary sampling units).

The survey also has interest on commercial agricultural holdings that comprise by definition all non-household farms. As most of these farms are registered in professional and government agencies, related registers were used as primary source to build a sampling frame that was further updated through field operations. A stratified simple random sample of commercial farms were selected and interviewed.

The pilot survey was aimed to produce reliable estimations at the district level as well as for Khairahani municipality in particular at local level. The observations are the agricultural holdings as recommended and defined by FAO. The final sampling units are the agricultural households in the households' sector and the registered commercial farms in the non-household sector.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

Listing Form containing structured items with preliminary information such as name of holder, address, contact number, area cultivated, number of livestock and poultry raised and so on was administered for listing the agriculture holdings within the predefined criteria. Questionnaire in Nepali Language comprising Core Module and Production Method and Environment (PME) Module was administered for capturing the detailed information on agricultural activities of the both commercial and non-commercial holdings. The questionnaire is based on the standard model recommended by AGRISurvey Program of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It was modified to address the Nepalese context as per the series of stakeholders' meetings.

The questionnaire has eight sections: seven under Core Module and one under PME Module. The Survey Questionnaire with Core Module contains the items like holding identification, demographic information (for non-commercial holding), land use and land tenure, area of cultivation and crop production, status of irrigation, use of agricultural inputs, employment status, current and capital expenses of holding and source of information for agricultural activities and so on. The PME Module contains the items like source of energy used by holding, livestock production method, organic manure management practices, access and use of information, infrastructure and public resources by the holding, solid waste management practices, strategies to cope with the effect of natural disasters and climate change and so on. The questionnaire and the listing forms administered in the survey are provided as external resources in the documentation section.

Cleaning operations

The enumeration of the Pilot Agriculture Integrated Survey was conducted by CBS using tablets with CSPro version as a CAPI method of choice. The supervisors were collected the filled-up questionnaires from enumerators using CAPIs in a flash drive in every second day and send to CBS through email and Dropbox. The IT staff in CBS was responsible for compiling and managing the filled-up questionnaires received from the supervisors from the field. The supervisors were allowed to send the collected information to the IT staff in CBS after ensuring the completion of the questionnaires and thoroughly reviewing all the information captured in the tablet. Data processing system was centralized in this survey. In this survey, IT staff in CBS had more advantage of accessing the data immediately. If any inconsistencies were found in data it was informed immediately to the field team so that field staff could confirm the issues before leaving the EA.