Integrating Agriculture into National Statistical Systems

1. Integrating Agriculture into National Statistical Systems Section B

2. Expanding Agricultural Data Collection • Traditional agricultural censuses gather structural data on agricultural holdings • Countries may wish to include households in rural areas or with members working in agricultural production • This expanded option may be needed when using a separate sampling frame from the population census

3. Population Census to Meet Data Needs • Data on socio-economic characteristics are normally collected in population censuses and the national household survey program • Coordination and planning is needed to ensure that ongoing data collection efforts meet national data needs and provide data for analysis across sectors • Collecting data on additional households in an agricultural census should be a last resort option

4. Scope of a Widened Agricultural Census • Would include the following statistical units: • Household sector agricultural holdings • Non-household sector agricultural holdings • Non-production households

5. Scope of a Widened Agricultural Census • Scope could include following households: • rural households • At least one member working in agriculture • Main source of income from agriculture

6. Analysis of Widened Agricultural Census • Use of the household as the common statistical unit simplifies analysis • Collect all household data • Collect agricultural production items from agricultural holdings only • A separate questionnaire may be needed for non-household sector holdings

7. Core Modules for Wider Census • The modular approach should be used for a wider agricultural census • Already identified agricultural census core items should be selected for non-production households • Resist duplication of data from other sources • Note that core questions for all statistical units should be the same

8. Supplementary Modules for Wider Census • Again using same supplementary module approach, the topics chosen could take two approaches: • Use agricultural census supplementary module items and include non-production households • Target modules to non-production and own-account households covering a wide range of issues from suggested module themes (social, economic, environmental and agricultural)

9. Wider Agricultural Census Frame • The possible frame options include: • Population census frame of households and EAs • Frame of non-production and agricultural households, depending on population census data • Farm register and population census frame combination

10. Community Level Data • New in WCA 2010 in order to meet the needs for cross sector information • Provides information on services, infrastructure, communal property, natural disasters and food insecurity • Community data complements holding level data

11. How is Community Data Used? • For analysis of community characteristics to understand farmers’ constraints • Analysis of community and holding data to form a complete picture, such as cash crops by presence of local markets • Community data can validate some holding level data

12. Factors for Consideration • What data will be collected and at what administrative level • Cost of collection • Ability to identify community units • Stability of community units • Census methodology

13. Community Survey Scope • Usually only communities with agricultural holdings are included • Decision needs to be made to include urban areas or cover rural only • Community surveys are not recommended for countries without community level organization

14. Community Level Items • Content determined by national data needs and information from other sources • Community registers can be linked to the agricultural census if common geocoding is used • Community level data should be coordinated to proved linked data on specific areas of interest

15. Considerations for Community Items • Do not collect household holding data in the community survey • Do not replicate questions between the census and community survey • Limit questions to needed data and what can be easily provided by community • Develop questionnaires after drafting desired tabulations from the community survey

16. Possible Topics • Geography: soil types, communal grazing land and forests, prone to natural disasters • Socio-economic conditions: population groups, economic activities, seasonal food shortages • Community infrastructure and services: agricultural supplies and services, electricity, roads, schools, clinic, produce market • Development programs: type and number

17. Concepts and Definitions All definitions should be standardized across censuses and surveys. Definitions are provided for the following: • Agro-ecological, climatic, topographical or soil types • Travelling time to nearest major urban center • Prone to natural disasters or seasonal food shortages • Economic status of community • Community infrastructure and services • Presence of development projects

18. Methodological Considerations • Methodology dependent upon agricultural census fieldwork organization • Interviewers can administer questionnaires when they meet with administrative officials during enumeration • Where possible, leaving questionnaires for self-completion and collection may reduce time and costs

19. Sampling Considerations • Community level survey must be administered to all areas covered by the agricultural census to link the data • If the census core module is conducted on a sample basis, the same can be done for community level data but it may not be suitable for providing summary community level data

20. Section B Quiz • Is it better to use available data and coordinate data collection activities or conduct a wider agricultural census? • What is the purpose of a community level survey? • What is the advantage of a community survey for the agricultural census?