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Agricultural-Census-Metadata

Agricultural Census, 2010

Switzerland, 2010
Agricultural Census Metadata
Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG), Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
Created on January 21, 2021 Last modified January 21, 2021 Page views 161 Download 42 Documentation in PDF Metadata DDI/XML JSON
  • Study description
  • Documentation
  • Get Microdata
  • Identification
  • Scope
  • Coverage
  • Producers and sponsors
  • Sampling
  • Data Collection
  • Questionnaires
  • Data Processing
  • Data Appraisal
  • Access policy
  • Disclaimer and copyrights
  • Metadata production

Identification

Survey ID Number
CHE_2010_AC_v01_EN_M_v01_A_OCS
Title
Agricultural Census, 2010
Country
Name Country code
Switzerland CHE
Study type
Agricultural Census [ag/census]
Series Information
Switzerland has a long tradition of conducting censuses in the area of agriculture. From 1955, the agricultural census, conducted every five years, was the main source of information. A turning point came in 1966, with the introduction of farm surveys based on administrative sources. Switzerland has a yearly census for the main agricultural topics like farmland, livestock and labour force. The main data source is the declaration for direct payments for farmers. The 2010 Agricultural Census (AC) was carried out together with a thematic survey (on holdings' OGA, the structure of the labour force and characteristics related to agricultural production methods) and the SAPM.
Abstract
Switzerland has a long tradition of conducting censuses in the area of agriculture. The first livestock survey was organised as early as 1866, and the first survey of primary sector enterprises followed in 1905. From the First World War onwards, the surveys were conducted more frequently and increased in scope. A survey of crops was introduced in 1917, and was conducted every year between 1939 and 1947.
From 1955, the agricultural census, conducted every five years, was the main source of information. A turning point came in 1966 with the introduction of farm surveys based on administrative sources from the
agricultural policy information system. In 2007, Switzerland participated for the first time in the farm structure survey in accordance with Council Regulation (EEC) no. 571/88. The survey was special in that it only concerned the general characteristics of the holding in question, and use of land and livestock - information which mainly came from administrative data. However, labour and other gainful activities were not surveyed. The 2010 survey on farm structure and production methods was the first survey in which Switzerland participated in full. This survey was special, however, in that information on labour and other gainful activities was not collected exhaustively, but through a representative sample. The 2010 agricultural census consists of three parts:

1) Farm structure survey
2) Supplementary farm structure survey
3) Thematic survey
Kind of Data
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Unit of Analysis
Households

Scope

Notes
The scope of the study includes land, machinery and equipment and support for rural development.
Topics
Topic Vocabulary
Agriculture & Rural Development FAO
Land (policy, resource management) FAO
Labor FAO
Infrastructure FAO
Community Driven Development FAO

Coverage

Geographic Coverage
National coverage
Universe
The statistical unit was the agricultural holding, defined as "an enterprise that: (i) is dedicated to growing crops or keeping livestock, or both; (ii) consists of one or several production units; (iii) is legally, economically, organizationally and financially independent; (iv) is independent of other holdings; (v) has its own operating income; and (vi) is operated all year round". It should also reach or exceed at least a certain size.

Producers and sponsors

Primary investigators
Name
Federal Office for Agriculture (FOAG)
Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
Producers
Name Role
Research stakeholders Assistance
Cantonal coordinators Assistance
The Federal Office for Agriculture Assistance
The Federal Office for the Environment Assistance
The Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office. Assistance

Sampling

Sampling Procedure
a. Methodological modality for conducting the census

The AC 2010 consisted of:
i. data collection based on administrative registers, for the agricultural holdings registered in the Agricultural Policy Information System (SIPA); and
ii. traditional field data collection using census questionnaires, for holdings not registered in the SIPA.

A thematic survey (on the holdings' OGA, the structure of the labour force and the characteristics related to agricultural production methods) were conducted along with the AC.

b. Frame
The population of the AC 2010 essentially comprised the holdings receiving subsidies (direct payments), which were approximately 58 000 holdings, and an additional 1 000 holdings that did not receive subsidies or that were not registered in the SIPA (mainly horticultural holdings). The AC 2010 was based on complete enumeration of holdings.

Data Collection

Dates of Data Collection
Start End
2010-04 2010-11
Data Collection Mode
Mail Questionnaire [mail]
Data Collection Notes
The AC 2010 data were collected using administrative registers as a source of census data and the field data collection through: (i) paper questionnaires sent by post (mail-out/mail-back) and (ii) Internet-based questionnaires (CAWI).

Questionnaires

Questionnaires
Different questionnaires/administrative forms were used for different groups of farms. Questionnaires were sent to the holdings not receiving direct payments. A questionnaire for the thematic survey (on OGA, labour force and agricultural production methods) was used for the holdings in the sample. The AC covered all 16 core items recommended in the WCA 2010.

A- Information about the farm manager, farm holder and the farm
B- Persons working on the farm in 2010
C- On-farm diversification in 2010
D- Services provided by contractors and others for the farm’s production in the past 12 months
E- Facilities for the production of renewable energies in 2010
F- Open field irrigation in the calendar year 2010
G- Land cover, tillage and grazing in winter 2009/2010
H- Mechanisation on the farm 2010
I- Stall systems/installations in 2010
K- Farmyard manure in 2010

Data Processing

Data Editing
a. DATA PROCESSING AND ARCHIVING
The paper census questionnaires were scanned using ICR. In addition, farmers were also offered an electronic application (eSurvey), allowing them to complete the questionnaire online.' All data collected were imported into a database to which the project production team had access, so that they could view the content of each questionnaire and contact the holdings concerned to request additional information if necessary in the event of inconsistency, error or missing information.

b. CENSUS DATA QUALITY
Paper questionnaires were checked visually2 before scanning in order to correct the text and illegible figures. The online questionnaire incorporated checks on, for example, maximum values and other elements of control. For quality control, priority was given to direct contact with the holdings.

Data Appraisal

Data Appraisal
Data were published on the website of the Swiss Federal Statistical Office in June, 2012.

Access policy

Contacts
Name Email URL
Swiss Federal Statistical Office Arthur.zesig[email protected] / [email protected] https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/
Confidentiality
See https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/fso/official-statistics/legal-underpinnings.html
Access conditions
See https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/fso/official-statistics/legal-underpinnings.html

CONTACT:
Swiss Federal Statistical Office,
Division Economy,
Section Economic Structure Analyses
Address: Espace de ('Europe 10, CH-2010 Neuchatel

Telephone: (+41) 58 4636200 / (+41) 58 4636266

Disclaimer and copyrights

Disclaimer
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses

Metadata production

DDI Document ID
DDI_CHE_2010_AC_v01_EN_M_v01_A_OCS_FAO
Producers
Name Abbreviation Affiliation Role
Office of Chief Statistician OCS Food and Agriculture Organization Adoption of metadata for FAM
Census team, Statistics Division ESS Food and Agriculture Organization Metadata producer
DDI Document version
CHE_2010_AC_v01_EN_M_v01_A_OCS_v01
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

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