faostatisticaldevelopementseries15.doc

FAO STATISTICAL DEVELOPEMENT SERIES 15 World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2020 VOLUME 1 – Programme, Concepts and Definitions  FOREWORD The census of agriculture is one of the key pillars of a national statistical system, and in many developing countries it is often the only means of producing statistical information on the structure and other relevant aspects of the agriculture sector. Moreover, it is the only data collection instrument that produces statistical information on farms at the lowest geographical level and therefore it is an essential source of information for governments and decision-makers in member countries. One of the most important elements of FAO’s statistical work is the development and promotion of the decennial World Programme for the Census of Agriculture. Since the founding of FAO in 1945, it has supported countries to carry out their national agricultural censuses using standard international concepts, definitions and methodologies. The World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2020 (WCA 2020) is the tenth decennial programme, and is expected to provide the basis for implementation of agricultural censuses in FAO member countries between 2016 and 2025. The use of these guidelines by member countries ensures that the census results are harmonized and internationally comparable, and allows countries to benchmark their performance against others. These guidelines are unique because they not only build on past experiences and lessons learned, but they also look forward and take the emerging data needs of users into consideration. They address requirements of both developed and developing countries, and provide the foundation for countries to develop an integrated census and survey programme, to use innovative and cost-effective methodologies, and ultimately to make better informed strategic decisions. In this publication, close linkages have been established with the “Global Strategy to Impro