Census of Agriculture, 2011

In 1978, an agricultural survey was conducted using the 1977 Census of Population and Housing as the frame. Data was collected over a 15-month period, January 1978 to April 1979. Three strata were identified, namely:

• A comprehensive quarterly postal inquiry to all known large farmers
• A sample survey of small scale-producers of fruits and vegetables for sale
• A sample survey of small scale livestock holders

Actual coverage rates were lower than the design. The response rate of the postal enquiry of large farms declined from 82% at the start of the survey to 68% at the end. Of the 164 small-scale producers selected out of the total of 634, only 127 were enumerated. For livestock, out of 1,547 livestock holders, 106 were selected and 92 enumerated. There was also a supplementary sample of non-farming households set at 250 (Total 3,758) but the achieved sample size was only 144. The actual sample sizes were, therefore, very small casting some doubt as to the reliability of the estimates generated, particularly where these were disaggregated by region. In 1998 a second attempt was made to conduct an agricultural survey to update the 1978 database. This was not particularly successful and only limited, generally qualitative, data was generated. The main weakness was poor response. A report is available as part of its on-going programme on agricultural statistics, the Seychelles Agricultural Agency (SAA) collects data from the main livestock producers, on a regular basis. No regular data collection, however, is undertaken for the small livestock producers. The SAA has a list of registered farmers and crop area and production data is collected from these on an ‘ad hoc’ basis making the data difficult to analyse and interpret.