Sources of Agricultural Data

1. Sources of Agricultural Data Section A

2. Sources of Agricultural Data • Administrative Data • Household Surveys • Establishment Surveys • Censuses

3. Statistical Environment • Countries need statistical coordinating authorities • Data demands, funding and statistical activities must be balanced between all involved agencies at the national level • The goal is efficient use of available resources to meet national needs

4. Statistical Coordination Issues • National statistical strategies and legislation to define roles of organizations • Foster public support for funding • Provide common framework • Reach national consensus on data needs • Define current capabilities and determine funding requirements

5. Statistical Capacity Building • Methodological and technological developments allow for more efficient use of limited resources • Statistical staff should participate in regional and international workshops and meetings to keep abreast of developments • Methods of continual staff training should be implemented to improve staff capability and retention

6. Coordinating Censuses • Reduces costs and add value to largest data collection operations • Forces standardization of concepts and definitions for greater comparability • Requires use of common frames

7. Harmonizing Population and Agriculture Censuses • Primary sampling unit relationship • Household and agricultural holding • Common definitions and classifications • Utilize same EAs, maps, and other field materials

8. Pre-Census Agricultural Data • Mapping exercise can administer community questionnaires • Household listing can include information on agricultural activities of household • Considerations include: • Additional resources • Seasonality • Data capture and processing

9. Household Frame for Agriculture Census • Use household list from population census • Allows linking of data between censuses • Ask screening questions to determine household agriculture activity • Enumerate all households within scope of the agriculture census

10. Agriculture data in the Population Census • Main occupation and industry • Use latest ISIC and ISCO lists • Status in employment • Combining information can help to identify likely agricultural households

11. Collecting Additional Agricultural Data • Benefits: • Provides agricultural data for analysis • More precise agricultural census frame • Household level frame data for agricultural census fieldwork planning

12. Household Question Example • Was this household engaged in any agricultural activity? Yes or No (skip to next question) • Did the household grow crops? Yes or No • Did the household have livestock? Yes or No • Area of land under cultivation? • Was this household engaged in aquaculture? Yes or No

13. Linking Agriculture and Population Census Data • Linking census data sets means that questions don’t have to be repeated: • Sex and Age of agricultural holder • Household size • Matching households is difficult and must be planned for well in advance.

14. Potential Problems of Combining Censuses • Different ministries are responsible for each census • Seasonality and legal requirements • Can cause poor data quality in both censuses due to confusion and respondent burden • Thorough testing is required before adoption

15. Economic and Agricultural Census • Agricultural census is part of economic statistics system • Agriculture is often measured by a special census • Economic census covers other industry establishments

16. Combined Agriculture and Economic Census • Complete business register, including agricultural establishments • Only covers non-household agriculture holdings • Include core and supplemental agriculture modules in economic census • Can link data between censuses

17. Combination with Aquaculture Census • Normally a few aquaculture questions are asked in the agriculture census • Misses aquaculture only holdings • Doesn’t provide sufficient information • Need to either conduct separate aquaculture census or add more developed aquaculture module to agriculture census

18. Census of Agriculture and Aquaculture • ISIC classifications should be used to define units of enumeration for comparability • Core questions are similar for aquaculture and agriculture • Additional core question on area of aquaculture by type of site is required • More detailed aquaculture module administered to households within scope

19. Frame for Census of Agriculture and Aquaculture • Frame of household holdings from population census • Housing section question to identify households engaged in own-account activities • Non-household holdings from business register

20. Required Modifications Expand definitions for: • Agricultural holding and holder • Main purpose of production • Area of holding and Land use • Irrigation and water management • Agricultural practices, services and farm labor

21. Section A Quiz • What are the three main censuses usually conducted by a country? • When could information on agricultural holdings be collected in a population census? • What considerations are universal to all integrated data collection activities?