Census of Agriculture 2018
United States Virgin Islands, 2019
Identification
VIR_2018_CA_v01_M_v01_A_ESS
Census of Agriculture 2018
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| United States Virgin Islands | VIR |
Agricultural Census [ag/census]
The first Census of Agriculture was conducted in the United States Virgin Islands in 1920 and the second in 1930, in conjunction with the first decennial World Agricultural Census. Other censuses were conducted every ten years until 1960. Starting with the 1964 census, the United States Virgin Islands were included in the Agricultural Census Plan of the United States of America, under which censuses are conducted every five years. Successively, the dates were adjusted in order to coincide with economic censuses, so the following agricultural censuses were conducted in 1978 and 1982. After 1982, censuses reverted to a 5-year cycle. The Census of Agriculture 2018 was the fifteenth conducted in the territory.
The census of agriculture is the leading source of statistics about the United States Virgin Islands' agricultural production and the only source of consistent, comparable data at the island level. Census statistics are used to measure agricultural production and to identify trends in an ever-changing agricultural sector. The census includes data on the structure of agricultural land, crops and livestock, farm characteristics, as well as production expenses, value of agricultural products, and aquaculture.
Census/enumeration data [cen]
Agricultural holdings
Scope
The census scope covered agricultural activities (crops and livestock production).
The questionnaire collected information on:
- Land in agriculture
- Field and forage crops
- Vegetables
- Fruits, nuts, trees and nursery crops
- Land use
- Irrigation
- Livestock
- Poultry
- Aquaculture
- Value of sales
- Production expenses
- Equipment
- Practices
- Government agricultural programs
- Operator characteristics
- Enumerator's record
Coverage
The Census of Agriculture 2018 covered the entire territory of the United States Virgin Islands.
The statistical unit was the farm, defined as any place from which USD 500 or more of agricultural products were produced and sold, or normally would have been sold, during the calendar year 2018 (1 January - 31 December 2018).
Producers and sponsors
| Name |
|---|
| Department of Agriculture of the United States Virgin Islands |
| United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Cooperative Extension Service | University of the Virgin Islands | Technical support |
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| United States Federal budget | Funding |
Sampling
The Census of Agriculture 2018 frame consisted of a list of farm operators compiled by the University of the Virgin Islands, Cooperative Extension Service, and the Department of Agriculture of the United States Virgin Islands.
The census was a complete enumeration of all farms from the frame, according to the census scope.
Survey instrument
One questionnaire (report form) was used for data collection. The questionnaire covered 14 out of the 23 essential items recommended in the WCA 2020.
Data collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2019-05 | 2019-09 |
Reference day:
- Day of enumeration for inventory items such as livestock, poultry, machinery and equipment.
Reference period:
- From 1 January to 31 December 2018, for crop production, crop and livestock sales, expense data, etc.
- Pen and Paper Interview [papi]
The Census of Agriculture 2018 employed one project manager, one crew leader/supervisor, and approximately 25 enumerators who received special training in accordance with instructions prepared by the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The training included practice in interviewing and filling out the report form plus detailed discussion of the enumerator's instructions.
Data was collected via face-to-face interviews and paper forms (PAPI method).
QUALITY ASSURANCE
Ten percent of the captured data were keyed a second time for quality control. If differences existed, an adjudicator handled resolution. This was used to grade the performance of the keyers, who were required to maintain a certain accuracy level or receive additional training. The measured error rate for the entire survey was 0.39 percent.
Efforts were made to measure the error associated with the adjustments for non-response of farm operations on the list. This error measurement was developed from the standard error of the estimates at the island level, where appropriate, and were expressed as coefficient of variation (CV). Every estimate has a corresponding CV published with it.
Data processing
The National Agricultural Statistics Service undertook the data processing activities. Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) was used to capture categorical responses and to identify the other answer zones in which some type of mark was present. Each report form was reviewed and coded prior to data entry and subjected to a thorough computer edit. Report forms not meeting the census farm definition were voided. Missing information was derived using reported data for similar type and size farms in nearby areas. The cleaned data was tabulated by the computer and reviewed by analysts. Prior to publication, tabulated totals were reviewed by analysts to identify inconsistencies and potential coverage problems and trend discrepancies.
Data Access
For additional information on data access and use, please contact the Department of Agriculture of the United States Virgin Islands.
Website: https://doa.vi.gov
Email: [email protected]
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture of the United States Virgin Islands | [email protected] | https://doa.vi.gov | |
| Cooperative Extension Service | University of the Virgin Islands | https://uvi.edu/community/cooperative-extension-service/index.html | |
| National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | [email protected] | https://www.nass.usda.gov |
Metadata production
DDI_VIR_2018_CA_v01_M_v01_A_ESS_FAO
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Agriculture of the United States Virgin Islands | Metadata producer | ||
| National Agricultural Statistics Service | NASS | United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) | Metadata producer |
| Statistics Division | ESS | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations | Metadata adapted for FAM |