Page 86 - Special Topic Session (STS) - Volume 1

STS407 Jairo C. et al.
Figure 1. The system of integrated Agricultural Censuses and Surveys

Source: FAO, 2018

In order to increase synergies between the AC and other statistical operations
when moving towards a more integrated system, the WCA 2020 recommends
some actions, no mutually exclusive:
1) Identifying the specific role of the AC.
2) Focusing the content of the census of agriculture on structural items.
3) Integrating the census with periodic rotating surveys.
4) Using data available from administrative sources.
5) Better integrating the agricultural and population censuses.

1) Identifying the specific role of the Census of Agriculture
In countries where the agricultural statistics system is not so well-
established, the AC (when conducted) is often an isolated one-off
operation mobilizing a large amount of resources in a short period of
time, followed by several years of data discontinuity. Identifying the
specific role and objectives of the AC as a component of the system of
integrated agricultural censuses and surveys is the first major step in
preparation for an upcoming AC. A good strategic plan (like the Strategic
Plan for Agriculture and Rural Statistics (SPARS), mainstreamed into the
National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) process) is of
crucial importance, especially in countries without a well-established
agricultural statistics system. This plan ensures that both the AC and
surveys complement each other and together generate the required
statistics with the appropriate frequency (FAO, 2015).

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