AGRICULTURAL CENSUSES --- International Perspective Michael Steiner United States Department of Agriculture 23 September, 2011 Armenia

Agricultural Census United Nations recommends conducting an Agricultural Census every 10 years Armenia has not conducted an Agricultural Census The last Agricultural Census conducted on the territory of Armenia was in 1920

Agricultural Censuses - Other Countries Albania Azerbaijan Croatia Czech Republic Estonia Georgia Hungary Iran Kazakhstan Latvia Lebanon Lithuania Moldova Poland Romania Russia Slovenia Turkey

Reasons for Conducting an Agricultural Census To provide detailed data on the structure of agriculture in Armenia To improve current agricultural statistics in Armenia

Improving Current Agricultural Statistics in Armenia - Agricultural Census To provide data to use as benchmark for current agricultural statistics To provide data to use as a sampling frame for agricultural sample surveys Implement a new system of agricultural sample surveys

Official Statistics Official Statistics are fundamental to good government, to the delivery of public services, and to decision making in all sectors of society Official Statistics Serve the Public Good

Principles for a Statistical Agency Relevance to Policy Issues Credibility Among Data Users Trust Among Data Providers

Users of Official Statistics on Armenian Agriculture Governments --- Armenian & Other Countries Agribusiness Economic Firms & Investors Farmers Media Researchers

Result of Inaccurate Data Impact of Under Reporting Cattle Inventory Vaccination of Livestock --- too few vaccines allocated Investment in Meat Processing Plant --- Investors may not invest because of perception of low livestock numbers

United Nations Statistical Commission ---Agriculture Statistics Initiative Launched based on common concerns Agriculture at center of critical global issues: skyrocketing food prices, food security, climate change Issues drive need for new kinds of statistics for policy analysis and monitoring & evaluation

United Nations Agricultural Statistics Initiative United Nations placing high priority on agricultural statistics “Global Strategy To Improve Agricultural and Rural Statistics” FOC-Agriculture.pdf

United Nations Agricultural Statistics Initiative Develop a strategic vision for agriculture statistics Key policy issues and implications for data Core indicators Data integration with other parts of national statistical system: environment, income, land use

Agriculture Data on Population Census United Nations “Principles and Recommendations for Population and Housing Censuses – Revision 2” (2008) recommends countries collect agricultural data with the population census

Households with agricultural activity can be identified and interviewed for Agricultural Census Agricultural data can be used to develop a sampling frame Agricultural Data on Population Census

Data Relationships of Census Data (collected on Pilot for Population Census) Problems With Data Consistency Arable Land greater than Total Ag Land Area in Orchards greater than Area in Perennials Data Outliers 20.0 Hectares for Area in Adjacent Plot 28.0 Hectares of Perennial Plants

Summarization of Census Data Detailed size breakdowns and classification Number of Livestock Livestock Operators by Size of Herd Livestock Numbers by Gender of Operator Livestock Numbers by Age of Operator Livestock Numbers by Occupation Livestock Numbers by Education of Operator Livestock Numbers by Number of Family Members

2012 Agricultural Census in Armenia Data collected on Armenian Population Census (October 2011) can be utilized to identify agricultural operators for contact in Agricultural Census, and reduce data collection costs of Agriculture Census Agricultural Census can use processes and logistics used for the Population Census

Characteristics of Census Data Comprehensive Independent of Other Data Sources Confidential Unbiased

Agricultural Census of Armenia An opportunity for the voice of Armenia’s agricultural producers to be heard An investment in the agriculture sector of Armenia A commitment to the future of agriculture and rural development in Armenia An opportunity for Armenia to join other nations in conducting agricultural censuses

Future of Agricultural Statistics in Armenia Agricultural Data on Population Census Agricultural Census A New System of Agricultural Sample Surveys Village Books Not Used to Produce Official Statistics