Improving Agricultural Statistics in the COMCEC Region
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v. Main agricultural surveys and data sources
Agricultural Censuses: The last general census of agriculture was conducted in 2003, which is
used in the data presented here. Based on a decennial periodicity, the next census is planned
for 2013/ 2014.125
The SCI is the national office responsible for organizing the agricultural census, and the MJA
collaborates with it to organize and conduct the census. The census was designed to cover all
farms satisfying the minimum size criteria, in both urban and rural areas of the country.
However, modern poultry farms were not covered by the census. The census was carried out
as a complete enumeration. Data from laypersons (i.e. not legal persons) settled in urban and
rural areas were conducted through direct interviews, using the same questionnaire for all
holdings. Locally informed people provided information on unsettled households. Holdings
belonging to legal persons were enumerated in the places where agricultural activities were
carried out.
SCI conducted a Pilot Census of Agriculture during the period 1-20 December 2012, selecting
three provinces – East Azerbaijan, Fars and the City of Lahijan in Gilan – as sample areas. The
aim of the pilot census was to examine the tablet computer as the main instrument in data
collection, probable errors and problems that may occur during the implementation of the
main census (which is scheduled for 2013). In the Census of Agriculture 2013, tablets will be
used for data collection for the first time in the history of census, replacing hardcopy forms. To
this end, the SCI has created the integrated software for e-survey/census. This software was
also tested in the pilot census.
Annual, Monthly, Weekly and Daily Surveys: Regular surveys on production, area and yield
of crops (mainly cereals and pulses), herd size, prices received by producers, as well as
wholesale and retail prices are conducted annually, monthly, weekly and daily as shown in
Table 70. The results are published at the national level, while production, yield, cost of
production are made available at the provincial level.
Table 70: Annual Production Surveys
Survey Coverage Frequency Publication of Results
Crop survey Wheat & barley; production, yield,
cost of production; machinery,
pesticides, fertilizers, etc.
Annually MJA
Other crops Crops other than wheat and barley;
production, yield, cost of production;
machinery, pesticides, fertilizers, etc.
Annually MJA
Specific crops Rice; production, yield, cost of
production; machinery, pesticides,
fertilizers, etc.
Annually MJA
Source: SSAQ Results and MJA, 2014b.
125 SCI, 2014 and MJA, 2014.